2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX-Prestige: The Family SUV I Would Buy
I frequently get asked what vehicle I would buy for my family. In years past, the answer was complicated. Now, I think the answer is simply the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid.
This time, Kia handed us this 2027 Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige all-wheel drive (AWD) to live with for a full week. We recently tested the off-road-focused Telluride X-Pro as a family at the Texas Truck Rodeo, but a week of real life is a different test. Spoiler: we’re in love.
A 329-Horsepower Hybrid That Tops 500 Miles a Tank
It all starts with the new hybrid powertrain. Specifically, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a 1.65-kWh lithium-ion battery for 329 total system horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, a six-speed automatic and AWD send that power to all four wheels.
Better yet, it’s efficient. For example, the EPA rates this AWD X-Line at 30 MPG city, 32 highway, and 31 combined. Over more than 400 miles of testing, including trips to Dallas, Grand Saline, and the grocery store, we averaged just over 28 MPG. As a result, with an 18.2-gallon tank, that works out to more than 500 miles between fill-ups, and it runs on regular fuel.
Of course, there’s no V6 in the Telluride anymore, and I don’t see that as a big loss. Its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, traded its 3.8-liter V6 for a 3.5-liter, and I’ve told everyone to skip that one. In other words, get the hybrid in either SUV.
0 to 60 MPH in the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid
The Telluride defaults to Eco mode, but you also get Sport and My drive modes, plus Snow, Mud, and Sand terrain modes. For my 0 to 60 test, I put it in Sport, held the brake with my left foot, floored it with my right, and let go.
When the engine kicked on, I felt a real surge of power, and the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid hit 60 MPH in 6.7 seconds. In fact, that’s impressive for a three-row hybrid this big.
X-Line Styling With Plenty of Black
To start, as an X-Line, this Telluride gets a black panel between its vertical running lights, along with a blacked-out grille. However, many people assume that panel houses the headlights, but the actual LED headlights sit further inset. Down low, you also get LED projector fog lights.
Similarly, against the $495 Black Jade Green paint, those dark accents add a nice contrast. Overall, it’s a clean, handsome evolution of the design that set the world on fire and put Kia on the map six years ago.
Four-Spoke 21-Inch Wheels and Flush Door Handles
Additionally, the X-Line adds unique four-spoke, 21-inch gloss black wheels. I applaud Kia for going bold, since you rarely see four-spoke designs today. In turn, they wear 265/45R21 Kumho Majesty Solus tires that help efficiency and keep road noise down.
Above them, gloss black wheel arches carry a unique design element on top, matching the black mirror caps and window trim. Meanwhile, flush door handles present themselves as you walk up, much like a Range Rover. Kia says it learned from the one-piece pop-out handles on the EV9, so these are two-piece units that you can push harder if they ice over.
From the side, the Telluride is big and boxy. Granted, it has grown since 2020, but it’s still a recognizable evolution of the original.
LED Taillights and a Smarter Power Liftgate
Out back, LED brake lights and turn signals mimic the running lights up front. Thankfully, Kia moved the turn signals up from the bumper, where some first-generation trims put them, and I’m glad it did. Plus, the Kia and Telluride badges are blacked out on the X-Line.
Meanwhile, with the key in your pocket, the Smart Power Liftgate beeps three times and opens hands free, with no awkward kick under the bumper. Better yet, if you walk away with the hatch open, it beeps faster and closes itself. Don’t want that? Simply press the auto-off button on the hatch.
Cargo Space and a Manual Third Row
First, with the third row folded, there’s a lot of space. Unlike the Palisade, though, the Telluride’s third-row seats fold manually, and I actually prefer that. After all, one pull of a strap, and they’re down.
Under the load floor, a reversible panel includes measurements and a couple of cupholders for tailgating. However, the battery lives under there too, so storage is limited to the jack and a few small items.
A Key Fob That Moves the Car
Next, the detonator-style key fob does more than lock and unlock. First, press and hold the side button for remote start, and the running lights confirm it’s on.
Just below that, Remote Smart Parking Assist lets you move the Telluride about a car length forward or backward from outside. Impressively, it straightens the wheels and uses the parking sensors to avoid obstacles, which is perfect when someone parks too close. On top of that, you can hold the unlock button to roll down the windows on a hot day.
A Dark, Well-Equipped Cabin
Also, when you walk up with the key, the Telluride presents its door handles and unfolds its mirrors. Inside, the X-Line SX-Prestige shows off a very dark interior.
Once inside, the door panels pack a lot of controls, including the heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and two-person memory. Better yet, there’s not a stitch of gloss black on the doors. Additionally, Kia moved the interior door release up, similar to the Ford F-150.
Meanwhile, the front seats offer four-way lumbar, adjustable bolsters, an extending thigh support, and Ergo Motion, which is Kia’s name for its massage function. On the X-Line, they also get suede uppers and mesh headrests.
Screens, a Head-Up Display, and a Digital Mirror
Behind the new steering wheel, which is flat on the top and bottom, you’ll find dual 12.3-inch displays and a 12-inch head-up display with Traffic Sign Recognition. However, the start button now lives on the steering column stalk, which takes a few drives to get used to.
Additionally, the infotainment screen includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in YouTube, and themes you can buy through the Kia Connect Store. Meanwhile, Kia widened the gap between the two screens to fit a dedicated climate panel, and physical climate controls sit below. That’s a much better solution than the dual-function climate and infotainment panel in the Sportage, EV6, and EV9.
However, the touch-sensitive buttons below the screen are easy to bump by accident, which can kick you out of CarPlay. Fortunately, I got used to them. Speaking of screens, our sponsor Screen Protech makes a single anti-glare panel that covers both 12.3-inch screens in Kia and Hyundai models. We installed one on my sister-in-law’s Hyundai Santa Fe in under 10 minutes.
Finally, a digital rear view mirror with HomeLink gives you a clear view out back, even when the third-row headrests block the rear window.
Wireless Charging, Cameras, and Storage Everywhere
Below the screens, two raised, rubberized wireless chargers keep phones cool, and you can turn each one off individually. In addition, there’s USB-C charging, Auto Hold, and a camera button for the Surround View Monitor, which includes a 3D view of the Telluride you can pan around.
On top of that, storage is everywhere. For example, deployable cupholders hide under a panel, and there’s more space in the pass-through, center console, felt-lined glove box, and overhead sunglass holder.
Finally, up top, a suede headliner surrounds a front sunroof with a manual shade, plus a fixed rear glass panel with a power shade. I just wish rear passengers could control that shade. After all, Tucker would love it.
A Second Row Built for Families
In the second row, the rear doors open wide, making it easy to install a child safety seat. In fact, you’ll see how our Graco Extend2Fit fits in our upcoming family review with Holli.
Better still, second-row passengers get built-in sunshades, heated and ventilated captain’s chairs, USB-C ports, a pullout tray, and ceiling-mounted air vents that are great for rear-facing car seats. Plus, Safe Exit Assist warns you about oncoming traffic before you open the door. At 5-foot-10, I had tons of legroom, a comfortable recline, and a great view of the skylight.
Can Adults Fit in the Third Row?
Next, to reach the third row, buttons on the seatback and side tilt and slide the second-row seat out of the way. However, the backrest kicks in a bit as it moves, which could be a problem with a car seat installed.
Once you’re back there, the outboard seats get LATCH anchors, and the center belt comes down from the ceiling. Additionally, you get a big window, ceiling vents, reading lamps, and USB-C ports with two cupholders on each side. Even so, my knees sit a little high. Fortunately, the second row slides, so all three rows can negotiate for space.
How the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid Drives
Above all, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid was our family’s workhorse all week. First, we drove two hours to the State Fair of Texas. Then, we battled Dallas stop-and-go traffic and survived the school pickup line. Through it all, the hybrid never let us down.
Similarly, on highly textured East Texas pavement, the Kumho tires stayed quiet, and the suspension soaked up broken pavement without jostling us. In fact, it hides the weight of its hybrid battery very well.
Still, my only complaint was a buzzy rattle under the dash on certain surfaces, mostly the historic brick streets of downtown Tyler. Keep in mind, though, press vehicles pass from journalist to journalist and live tough lives.
Is the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid Worth $61,180?
As tested, our Telluride stickered at $61,180, including $1,545 for destination. Admittedly, that can seem pricey. However, consider what you get: heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, three adult-friendly rows, a massaging driver’s seat, more than 28 MPG, AWD, a head-up display, and storage on storage on storage.
In fact, $61k is roughly where full-size, body-on-frame three-row SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe start. Of course, if you need to tow heavy loads, that class still makes sense. But if you just want a big, comfortable three-row SUV that won’t break the bank at the pump, the Telluride Hybrid makes a strong case. You can build your own on Kia.com.
2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid X-Line SX-Prestige AWD Specs
Powertrain
- 2.5-Liter Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Hybrid With Gasoline Direct Injection
- 329 Total System Horsepower
- 339 lb-ft of Torque
- 1.65-kWh Lithium-Ion Hybrid Battery
- 6-Speed Automatic Transmission With Paddle Shifters
- All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Terrain Modes: Snow, Mud, and Sand
- Electric Vehicle Motion Control (e-VMC)
Suspension and Chassis
- Front: MacPherson Strut With Stabilizer and High-Performance Dampers
- Rear: Multi-Link With High-Performance Dampers
- Self-Leveling Rear Suspension
- 7.4 Inches of Ground Clearance
Wheels and Tires
- 21-Inch Gloss Black Alloy Wheels
- P265/45R21 Tires
- Temporary Spare
Towing
- 4,500-Pound Towing Capacity
- Tow Mode and Trailer Stability Assist
- Towing Package With Tow Hitch (Option)
2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid Features and Pricing
Exterior
- X-Line Exterior Styling With Black Exterior Emblems
- LED Projector Fog Lights
- Dual Sunroofs (Fixed 2nd Row Panel)
- Smart Power Liftgate With X-Line Liftgate Lamp
- Exterior Color: Black Jade Green
Interior and Seating
- Seating for Seven
- SynTex and SynTex Suede Seating Material
- Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
- 10-Way Power Driver Seat With Thigh Support, 4-Way Lumbar, Memory, and Ergo Motion
- 8-Way Power Passenger Seat With 2-Way Lumbar
- Heated and Ventilated 2nd Row Captain’s Chairs With 1-Touch Tilt and Slide
- Heated Power Tilt and Telescoping Steering Wheel With Memory
- Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control With 2nd and 3rd Row Ceiling Vents
- Interior Color: Black
Technology
- Dual 12.3-Inch Panoramic Displays With Navigation
- 12-Inch Head-Up Display
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Meridian Premium Audio With 14 Speakers
- Dual Wireless Phone Chargers
- Seven USB-C Ports
- 115V Inverter
- Digital Rear View Mirror With HomeLink
- Digital Key 2 (UWB)
- Kia Connect With Complimentary 3-Year Ultimate Plan
Driver Assistance and Safety
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist 2
- Highway Driving Assist 2
- Safe Exit Assist
- Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control-Curve
- Remote Smart Parking Assist
- Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Parking Distance Warning: Forward, Reverse, and Side
- Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist: Reverse
Fuel Economy
- EPA Estimated 30 City / 32 Highway / 31 Combined MPG
- Regular Unleaded Fuel
- 18.2-Gallon Fuel Tank
Warranty
- 5-Year/60,000-Mile Limited Basic Warranty
- 10-Year/100,000-Mile Limited Powertrain Warranty
- 10-Year/100,000-Mile Limited Hybrid Battery Warranty
- 5-Year/60,000-Mile Roadside Assistance
Pricing
- Starting MSRP: $57,590
- Towing Package With Tow Hitch: $625
- Black Jade Green Paint: $495
- All-Season Floor Liners: $255
- Carpeted Floor Mats: $250
- Cargo Cover: $200
- Carpet Cargo Mat With Seatback Protection: $155
- Cargo Net: $65
- Destination: $1,545
- Price as Tested: $61,180
Final Thoughts on the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid
So, is this the vehicle I’d buy for my family? Yes. In fact, I’d probably spec it exactly like this X-Line SX-Prestige, dark interior and all. On the other hand, if you want something brighter, check out our video on the Telluride’s purple and cream interior, though it has a few drawbacks of its own. Between the efficient hybrid powertrain, family-friendly features, and three usable rows, it’s one of the best family vehicles on sale for 2027.
Next up, Holli takes the wheel for our family review, including a car seat install. In the meantime, check out how Kia’s hybrid sales set a record in October, and sign up for our newsletter using the form at the bottom of this page.
