2027 Kia Telluride – 2nd-gen based on new Hyundai Palisade is bigger, more upmarket; gets rugged X-Pro

Since its introduction six years ago, the Kia Telluride has been an important model for the South Korean carmaker. Over 444,000 units of the three-row full-sized SUV have been sold, despite it only being offered in North America – and it helped pave the way for other large models like the EV9. So, some big shoes to fill for the new second-generation version, then.

And Kia has responded it by literally making it bigger. Now based on the latest Hyundai Palisade, the new Telluride is 60 mm longer and 25 mm taller, while its wheelbase has grown by 75 mm. This has enabled the company to improve the car’s packaging, aiding entry and egress and well as increasing headroom by up to 13 mm when equipped with dual sunroofs.

The increased dimensions have also resulted in a more imposing and upmarket design, helped by Kia reining in some of its recent “Opposites United” styling excesses (EV4, I’m looking at you). The overall effect is a chiselled body seemingly hewn from a single block of granite, with Kia’s American design boss Tom Kearns even calling it “anti-design”.

At the front, the Telluride retains its signature amber daytime running lights, now structured vertically in what Kia continues to call Star Map lighting. The main headlights, meanwhile, have been minimised into slim bars that flank the large concave grille, the latter flowing into the bumper bar, air intake and U-shaped skid plate.

The side profile is characterised by broad triangular fender flares that are said to be inspired by the facets of a diamond, contrasting against the softly-curved shoulders. This dynamic look is further enhanced by an upright yet tapered glasshouse, wraparound windscreen design and flush pop-out door handles, giving the Telluride an appearance not too dissimilar to the latest Range Rover.

The illusion is only strengthened at the rear with the slim vertical taillight bars and an almost boat-like upswept tail. Wheels measuring up to 21 inches in diameter sit within “floating” wheel arch claddings, featuring distinctive notches that break up those fender flares.

Buyers who’d like a more outdoorsy look can spring for the X-Pro variant that features black exterior trim and door mirror caps, plus more prominent roof rails, a mesh grille with rectangular inserts, a square-jawed rear bumper and exposed recovery hooks. You also get exterior downward lighting coming from the mirrors, rear doors, rear bumpers and the tailgate (when opened), as well as an impressive 230 mm of ground clearance.

Inside, the Telluride derives plenty of cues from other Kias, including a clean horizontal dashboard that wraps into the doors, a full-width air vent design, a wide centre console and a decent amount of physical switchgear, such as the climate control toggles. An obligatory widescreen display panel houses three screens, including a air-con control panel joining the instrument and infotainment displays – similar to the EV9.

Perceived quality has taken a step up – while faux wood trim continues to feature, they are complemented by real metal accents and hidden ambient light strips beneath the centre console, while thick grab handles add to the rugged feel. The Telluride can also be optioned in multiple two-tone interior colour schemes, such as Deep Navy with Tuscan Umber and Blackberry with Sand Beige.

At the back, passengers sitting in the second-row captain’s chairs gain a slide-out table from the rear of the console, while the boot hides a fold-out luggage table with ruler markings and a removable partition. The first two rows also gain breathable mesh headrests for increased comfort.

While Kia hasn’t released any details on what will power the Telluride, expect the car to share its engines with the Palisade, which gets a new 281 PS/422 Nm 2.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as a 334 PS hybrid version with a six-speed auto.

Despite the Palisade being popular among the well-heeled in ASEAN, the Telluride is expected to remain an America-only product, which is a shame. Would you like to see the car here? Let us know in the comments.

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