Kia Telluride (2027) Review

Kia had the hardest possible brief here, because the first Telluride was the car that made the rest of the segment look overpriced. The second generation is larger in every direction, squarer, and better inside, with seating for up to eight and a second row that is still the most usable in the class. It is built in West Point, Georgia, and went on sale in January 2026 from 39,190 dollars before a 1,545 dollar delivery charge.

The powertrain change is the story and it cuts both ways. The 3.8 liter V6 is gone, replaced by a 2.5 liter turbocharged four making 274 horsepower and 311 pound feet, close to fifty pound feet more torque than before and noticeably less refined near the top of the rev range. Combined economy is roughly unchanged, 22 miles per gallon in front wheel drive and 20 with all wheel drive, so the gain is in shove rather than fuel. The answer arrived in March with the first Telluride hybrid, which adds a motor to the same turbo four for 329 horsepower and an estimated 35 miles per gallon combined. That is the one to buy and it asks about two thousand seven hundred dollars more, trim for trim.

Everything that made the original work survives: the equipment list, the resale values, the warranty, and a cabin that looks dearer than the sticker. It is still the default answer in this class. It is no longer the cheap answer.