New Kia Telluride Drops V6 For Turbo And Hybrid Fours

Update: Kia has released the first details on the new Telluride’s powertrain lineup for the US market, along with a fresh batch of official photos showcasing both the standard and X-Pro models.

Kia’s excellent Telluride was never what you’d call handsome, but it has looked particularly frumpy ever since the brand’s EV9 electric SUV appeared. That’s no longer the case.

Related: Kia Suddenly Pulls Its Tesla Model 3 Rival Right Before US Launch

After teasing a disguised version a few weeks back, Kia has just dropped the first clear images of the all-new 2027 Telluride and it’s just as sharp and confident as its EV cousin, but has a look that’s all its own – including what might prove to be a very controversial grille.

How Different Is It, Really?

We’ll have to wait until the full debut at this month’s LA Auto Show to get all the details about the second-generation Telluride, but these images show both the stock version and the (gold-colored) rugged X-Pro grade SUV inside and out.

They reveal a much squarer-looking SUV with clean surfaces and gently flared fenders, but without the kink in the D-pillar or transverse light bar that are some of the EV9’s calling cards.

Vertically-mounted LEDs front and rear offer some continuation with the old Telluride, but the grille is a major departure, and is sure to be one of the big talking points.

On most trims it’s partially blanked and contains a series of vertical bars, but the trail-themed X-Pro trim gets a much more aggressive (and divisive) block grille as well as exposed tow loops and higher-profile roof rails.

Other features of the X-Pro, a trim that first appeared on the Telluride for MY23, include off-road tires and 9.1 inches (231 mm) of ground clearance.

What’s Changed Inside?

Inside, the Ford Explorer rival does take some major inspiration from the EV9. The structure holding the twin 12.3-inch screens is perfectly rectangular this time around, the four- (or is it three?) spoke steering wheel is much more modern than the one in the outgoing Telluride.The old console-mounted gear shifter has also been replaced with a column-mounted unit, just like in the EV.

Interior space in all three rows should be improved thanks to a bigger footprint. The mk2 SUV is 2.3 inches (58 mm) longer, 1 inch (25 mm) taller and rides on a 3-inch (75 mm) longer wheelbase than the outgoing truck.

Bye, Bye V6, Hello Turbo Fours

While the first-generation Telluride came exclusively with a 291-hp (295 PS) naturally aspirated V6, that engine has been retired in favor of a two-pronged, four-cylinder lineup: Turbo and Turbo Hybrid.

The Turbo model uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Torque is up by 49 lb-ft compared to the old V6, but horsepower is down by 17. Power goes through an eight-speed automatic gearbox to the front wheels, with all-wheel drive available.

X-Pro all-wheel-drive models equipped with the Electronic Limited Slip Differential (E-LSD) take control a step further, automatically assessing driving conditions to distribute power between the front and rear axles as well as side to side. There’s also a center differential lock for a consistent 50/50 torque split between the two axles.

Hybrid Joins the Range

At the top of the range sits the Turbo Hybrid, combining a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a 1.65-kWh lithium-ion battery and electric motors for a total output of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. That’s an increase of up to 38 hp and 77 lb-ft over the outgoing V6.

Kia estimates the hybrid will achieve about 35 MPG combined (approximately 6.7 L/100 km), with official EPA ratings to follow and an estimated driving range of around 600 miles (965 km). That’s a significant improvement over the V6’s 20mpg (FWD) and 22 mpg (AWD) figures.

The hybrid sends its power through a six-speed automatic to an available all-wheel-drive system and comes standard with Kia’s electronic dynamic torque vectoring control (E-DTVC).

The Telluride Hybrid also brings in Stay Mode, allowing the battery to power systems like climate control, lighting, and audio for roughly 20 minutes, or until the charge dips to about 20 percent, without firing up the engine.

When properly equipped, the turbocharged Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the hybrid handles 4,500. An available self-leveling rear suspension helps keep the SUV steady and level when carrying heavier loads.

EV powertrains definitely won’t be offered – that’s the EV9’s job. Kia says it’ll start delivering new Tellurides in the first quarter of 2026, with more details to come when it officially debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show running from November 21 to 30.