Holli Took the Wheel, Then I Got the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro Tail Happy

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Oct 5, 2026
The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige kicks up dust on the gravel rally course at the Texas Auto Writers Association's Texas Truck Rodeo. (Photo by Kevin McCauley)
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Holli doesn’t usually take the wheel off-road on our channel. At the Texas Auto Writers Association’s Texas Truck Rodeo, that changed. She drove the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige onto a loose gravel rally course with Tucker riding in the second row, and then I took my own turn to see what this off-road-focused three-row SUV could really do. Spoiler: it is far more fun than a family hauler has any right to be.

Holli Takes the Wheel

A beige SUV driving quickly on a gravel road with a blurred background, depicting motion.
The Telluride X-Pro rolls across the loose gravel rally course, where its unibody ride kept things smooth for the whole family. (Photo by Kevin McCauley)

Before we set off, I switched the terrain mode to Sand, since that is essentially what we were driving on. The X-Pro comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), an electronic limited-slip differential, 9.1 inches of ground clearance, and 18-inch all-terrain tires. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic.

Holli kept the pace relaxed, and her first impression was how smooth the ride felt. You can barely tell you are off-road. That is one benefit of the Telluride’s unibody, car-like design. It isn’t built like a truck, so it soaks up washed-out gravel far better than you would expect. We ran this same course in the 2027 Toyota Sequoia Trailhunter, and the Telluride is a very different kind of off-road three-row.

Tucker’s Second-Row Setup

Close-up of the front grille of a Kia vehicle, featuring the Kia logo and a bold design against a blue sky.
The X-Pro’s dark grille and front fascia give the 2027 Telluride a rugged look to match its added off-road hardware. (Photo by Kevin McCauley)

This is the top X-Pro SX Prestige trim, and it is as luxurious as it is rugged. Tucker’s second-row captain’s chair is heated and ventilated, and he has ceiling-mounted air vents, built-in sunshades, plenty of legroom, and cup holders galore. There is even a third row behind him.

Luxury Touches Up Front

A rugged SUV parked in a grassy field, featuring a tan exterior and black accents.
Parked in the grass, the Telluride X-Pro’s tan paint and black body cladding hint at the upscale cabin inside. (Photo by Kevin McCauley)

Holli has been anxious to try a Telluride, since so many people love it. She can see why. The cabin mixes materials and textures, and it feels like a luxury vehicle, right down to the suede headliner. She likes the mix of buttons and screens, though she worries it might be a few buttons short once you live with it. She did love the buttons on the door panel, which she hadn’t seen before.

For storage, there is a hidden compartment under a flat, carbon-fiber panel with cup holders that tuck away. Holli’s purse didn’t quite fit there, but the center console swallowed the whole thing. Add pass-through storage below, USB-C ports, two wireless phone chargers, a head-up display (one of Holli’s favorites), and a full digital cluster, and there is a lot to like.

Safe Exit Assist also stood out. It uses the blind spot sensors to warn you, and even keep the door from opening, when a car is approaching from behind. Holli could see that coming in handy in the school pickup line or when street parking in downtown Dallas.

Holli Guesses the Price

Rear view of a Kia Telluride SUV on a gravel road with a cloudy sky in the background.
From behind, the Telluride X-Pro looks every bit the premium three-row SUV its $59,580 as-tested price suggests. (Photo by Kevin McCauley)

Holli had heard the Telluride was expensive, and after seeing all those textures, she believed it. Her first guess was $62,000, then $57,000. Our nearly fully loaded tester came in at $59,580. That is a lot of money, but this is the trim Kia wants you in, and you get heated and ventilated seats in two rows. Lower trims cost less, though they skip some of that comfort gear. As Tucker would tell you, why would you not want ventilated rear seats?

My Turn: Getting Tail Happy in Sand Mode

A rugged SUV driving on a dusty gravel road with a blurred landscape in the background.
Dust trails the Telluride X-Pro as it picks up speed in Sand mode, the setting that sends extra power to the rear wheels. (Photo by Kevin McCauley)

With Holli back in the clubhouse, I picked up the pace. In Sand mode on loose gravel, the Telluride X-Pro sends extra power to the rear wheels, and it will happily let the tail step out if you let it. It feels light and nimble rather than heavy; the traction is strong, and the suspension soaks up the bumps.

Tucker said it was still very comfortable from the back seat. We were following a six-figure Lexus at the time, and it might be sacrilege to say, but the Telluride felt just as comfortable. I did promise Holli we would behave, so I kept things in check.

Final Thoughts

Side view of a modern SUV parked on grassy terrain, showcasing its sleek design and large black wheels.
The Telluride X-Pro’s boxy profile makes room for three rows, including a roomy second row for Tucker. (Photo by Kevin McCauley)

The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro blends real off-road capability with the kind of comfort and features families care about. It rides smoothly, handles loose dirt with a grin, and pampers everyone from the driver’s seat to the second row. We are still on the waiting list to get one on our home turf for a full review, and after this speed date, I can’t wait. Learn more about the lineup on Kia’s Telluride site.

2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige Specs

Close-up of a vehicle's wheel showcasing a rugged tire in a natural setting.
The X-Pro rides on 18-inch wheels wrapped in 255/60R18 all-terrain tires, with 9.1 inches of ground clearance. (Photo by Kevin McCauley)

Powertrain

  • 2.5-Liter Turbocharged Four-Cylinder
  • 274 Horsepower, 311 lb-ft of Torque
  • 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
  • EPA Fuel Economy: 17 MPG City, 22 MPG Highway, 19 MPG Combined
  • Maximum Towing: Up to 5,000 lbs

Drivetrain and Off-Road

  • Standard AWD with Center Differential Lock
  • Electronic Limited-Slip Differential
  • Terrain Modes, Including Sand
  • 9.1 Inches of Ground Clearance
  • 18-Inch Wheels with 255/60R18 All-Terrain Tires
  • Front and Rear Recovery Points
  • Ground View Monitor

Interior and Technology

  • Seven-Passenger Seating
  • Heated and Ventilated Front Seats and Second-Row Captain’s Chairs
  • Built-In Second-Row Sunshades and Ceiling-Mounted Rear Vents
  • Dual 12.3-Inch Panoramic Displays
  • 12-Inch Head-Up Display
  • Full Display Digital Rearview Mirror
  • Dual Wireless Phone Chargers
  • Safe Exit Assist

Pricing

  • Base MSRP: $56,790
  • Destination Charge: $1,545
  • As-Tested Price: $59,580
A tan SUV driving swiftly on a dirt road, creating a cloud of dust in its wake, with green trees in the background.
A rugged SUV driving on a dirt road, kicking up dust, surrounded by greenery in the background.
A beige SUV in motion on a road with blurred background, suggesting speed.
A beige SUV driving rapidly on a gravel road, set against a blurred backdrop of open fields.
A tan SUV driving on a gravel road, with motion blur suggesting high speed.
A modern SUV speeding across a dirt track in a rural landscape, with dry grass and hills in the background.
A tan SUV driving on a dirt road, kicking up dust with a blurred background, showcasing its off-road capabilities.
A beige SUV speeding along a dirt road in a rural landscape with dry grass and distant hills.
A front view of a tan SUV driving through a dusty road with trees in the background.
A modern SUV driving on a dirt road, kicking up dust in the background, with a scenic landscape of hills and trees.
A tan SUV parked in an open grassy area with a dirt path in the background.
A rugged SUV parked on a grassy field with a clear blue sky in the background.
A modern SUV parked on an open field with dry grass, featuring a two-tone color scheme and rugged tires.
A side view of a golden SUV parked in a grassy field under a clear sky.
Side view of a modern, gold SUV parked on grassy terrain with a clear blue sky in the background.
Side view of a modern SUV in a metallic bronze color parked on grassy terrain. The vehicle features a rugged tire and sleek design elements, with a clear blue sky in the background.
A beige SUV parked on a gravel surface, showcasing rugged tires and a modern design, set against a grassy field with trees in the background.
Rear view of a Kia Telluride parked on a gravel road with open fields and a cloudy sky in the background.
Close-up of a vehicle's wheel and tire resting on a grassy surface, showcasing the rugged tread of a Continental CrossContact tire.
Close-up of a vehicle's front grill featuring the Kia logo, against a clear sky.
Close-up of a black Kia logo on a vehicle's grille, featuring a camera embedded in the design.
Close-up of a black Kia logo on a vehicle's front grille.
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Close-up view of the front grille of a Kia vehicle, featuring a bold design and the Kia logo, with another vehicle partially visible in the background.

Photos courtesy of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) and Kevin McCauley.