LOS ANGELES: The 2027 Kia Telluride SUV (sport utility vehicle) will make its official world debut later this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and it's bigger, bolder, and still proudly boxy.
The second-generation SUV is expected to arrive in North American showrooms during the first quarter of 2026.
Since 2021, Kia’s Opposites United philosophy has been the guiding principle for the brand’s design language.
In Telluride, this approach comes to life through the interplay of contrasts where sharp angles meet smooth curves and rugged durability blends with refined sophistication.
"With Telluride, it was a matter of being tailored and restrained – dare I say, anti-design," said Kia Design Centre America vice president and senior chief designer Tom Kearns.
"With that approach, it was about capturing strength and luxury, tradition and modernness, into a single expression. That's what Opposites United enabled us to do."
Inspired by the untamed beauty of its namesake Colorado town, the Telluride’s chiseled exterior design captures the spirit of the Rocky Mountains, with every angle and surface crafted to convey strength, security, and confidence.
A broad hood with clean, straight lines establishes a powerful stance, while vertical headlamps frame the high-gloss grille, giving the SUV an assertive yet sophisticated face.
At the rear, a rising beltline meets broad fender surfaces to give the vehicle a planted, powerful presence, while the sculpted bumper suggests the SUV’s trail-ready narrative.
Unique to the Telluride X-Pro, the new Ground Lighting feature enhances both form and function.
Soft light projects from the rearview mirrors, beneath the rear doors, and from the rear bumper, illuminating the surrounding area of the vehicle.
Additional lighting from the raised tailgate assists with tasks like tyre changes or cargo access in low-light conditions.
When the front doors open, puddle lamps illuminate ‘Telluride’ on the ground beneath.
Inside the new Telluride, a wide, horizontal layout conveys a sense of grandeur, while a bold wraparound design offers a sense of enclosure.
In the rear, the passenger console transforms into a functional table while available mesh headrests in the first and second rows combine a modern look with everyday comfort.
Even utility is redefined, with the reconfigurable cargo area featuring a folding luggage table with integrated ruler markings and a removable partition, a nod to outdoor adventure.
Thanks to its increased overall length and height, the 2027 Telluride offers improved interior packaging with enhanced access for easier entry and exit into the second and third rows.
Taller dimensions also contribute to increased headroom (up to half an inch more in models equipped with sunroofs).
