An all-new Kia Telluride has been revealed at the 2025 LA Auto Show, with bold new styling and an available hybrid powertrain capable of up to 35mpg for the US-designed and built vehicle.
The second-generation of Kia’s popular three-row flagship SUV, the new Telluride offers even more space inside, plus next-gen infotainment tech including YouTube, Disney+ and Netflix streaming.
There is also a rugged Kia Telluride X-Pro version with longer-travel suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, all-terrain tyres, 9.1 inches of ground clearance and multiple drive modes.
“With the launch of the second-generation Telluride, our design and product planning team had an incredible challenge: develop an all-new SUV that was its own, unique product, while encapsulating many of the elements that made the original Telluride a historic success,” said SeungKyu (Sean) Yoon, president and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America.
“The 2027 Telluride is a capable and sophisticated SUV that embodies our approach to bringing innovative, consumer-focused products to market.”
The new Kia Telluride follows on from the hugely successful 2019 original, which made global headlines when it scooped the 2020 World Car of the Year Award – Kia’s first overall success in the number one automotive awards program.
Bigger and bolder
A striking new design gives the Telluride a cleaner, more modern and premium appearance. Its bold lines are shaped with luxury car-like attention to detail. There’s also a new take on the Telluride’s distinctive vertical headlamps, which frame a high-gloss grille.
It doesn’t just look smoother, either – the wind tunnel confirms this, with a drag coefficient improved from 0.33 to 0.30.
Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro versions also have blacked-out wheelarches, side mirrors, rear pillars and other trim.
The interior follows trends seen in other modern Kias, with a freestanding digital display and wood-based textures. Indirect ambient LED lighting is also available, as are front ‘relaxation’ seats with leg rests, dual wireless phone chargers, and smartphone or smart watch vehicle access.
The new Kia Telluride is now bigger all round. At 199.2 inches overall, it is 2.3 inches longer than before, which creates more legroom in both the second and third rows. Indeed, second-row space is now class-leading.
As before, there are both seven-seat and eight-seat versions of the Telluride. Kia has improved access to the third row – and delivered more cargo space behind the seats, too.
Captain’s chairs are a new option for the second row. With both heating and ventilation, they are claimed to offer “first-class” comfort.
Turbo and hybrid power
The standard Kia Telluride has a more powerful turbocharged engine producing 274 hp and 311 lb ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. An optional tow hitch allows it to haul up to 5,000 pounds.
The new Telluride Hybrid combines a 2.5-liter turbo powertrain with a 1.65-kWh lithium-ion battery and electric motors. Total output of 329 hp is combined with 339 lb ft of torque. A clever six-speed automatic transmission should help it deliver up to 35mpg.
Kia has introduced a clever ‘Stay Mode’ for the Telluride Hybrid. This allows the hybrid battery to power the climate control, cabin lighting, stereo and other systems for around 20 minutes without activating the combustion engine.
There’s also a brace of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), along with 10 airbags – including a front center airbag.
The new Kia Telluride will go on sale in the U.S. in Q1 of 2026. It will be made at Kia’s Georgia plant. Details of prices, specific availability, spec levels and EPA-rated fuel economy will follow later.
Annual sales of the original Telluride have doubled since its 2019 introduction, to around 120,000 vehicles a year – and despite its imminent replacement, 2025 is expected to be another record year for Telluride volumes.
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