Kia has taken the wraps off the 2027 Telluride X-Pro at the Kia Design Center in Irvine, California, offering an early look before the full public reveal at the Los Angeles auto show on November 20. The new Telluride leans even more heavily into the upright, squared-off aesthetic that helped the outgoing model stand out, while also introducing a range of design and interior shifts aimed at lifting the SUV further upmarket. Though details about the full lineup and powertrain options remain under wraps, Kia’s preview makes it clear that the next Telluride has evolved in subtle but meaningful ways.
A More Commanding Stance With Sharper Edges
From the front, the 2027 Telluride adopts a full-width grille framed by vertical amber daytime running lights placed at the edges of the fascia. It is a tall, assertive look designed to echo the SUV’s more rectilinear proportions. Despite growing 2.3 inches overall, the Telluride masks its additional size well, thanks in part to a wheelbase stretched by 2.7 inches. Those measurements now match the closely related 2026 Hyundai Palisade almost exactly.
The rear styling leans into a hint of Range Rover influence, with a horizontal character line cut into the tailgate between the lower sections of the LED taillights. While the crease suggests a two-piece tailgate, the hatch remains a single unit. Dual vertical lighting elements mirror the front DRL signature, giving the back of the SUV a structured, architectural look.
Exterior Details That Challenge The Familiar
Along the sides, the Telluride introduces two visual elements that may prove divisive at first glance. Each wheel arch includes a small centered square marker at the top, with the fender line dropping down to meet it. Chief designer Tom Kearns notes that the intent is deliberate: a new design should feel “a bit uncomfortable” on first viewing to avoid looking dated too soon. The combination of creases and intersecting lines ties into the doors and lower body, offering a level of sculpting that becomes more cohesive the longer you stare at it.
The X-Pro trim shown during the preview underscores the SUV’s off-road aspirations. The model wears knobby 18-inch Continental CrossContact tires, functional front and rear tow hooks, and a more rugged stance overall. Earlier teaser videos depicted the X-Pro tackling rough terrain, and now those clips make sense. Though Kia remains quiet about engine details until the auto show, expectations point toward the Palisade’s 287-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and the hybridized 2.5-liter turbo-four producing 329 horsepower.
A Cabin That Moves Upmarket
Inside, the Telluride steps into a more premium territory, adopting a wraparound interior layout that clearly differentiates it from the Palisade. Despite sharing the dual 12.3-inch displays for instrumentation and infotainment, the rest of the cabin is entirely distinct, featuring engineered wood, metal accents, sturdy grab handles, and refined textures. The X-Pro’s interior uses a material Kia calls Forged Carbon, chopped carbon fiber bound into a composite, giving the cabin a technical, modern feel without overwhelming the design.
Buttons and controls are clearly labeled and physically intuitive, avoiding the trend toward touch-only interfaces. The overall effect is a cabin that feels both rugged and luxurious, with an emphasis on durability without sacrificing refinement.
What Comes Next
More information about powertrains, trims, pricing, and efficiency will arrive during Kia’s Los Angeles auto show press conference. For now, the company has confirmed that the 2027 Telluride will reach dealerships at the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Conclusion
The 2027 Telluride X-Pro emerges as a sharper, more upright, and more confident evolution of one of Kia’s most successful models. With cleaner lines, a more architectural presence, and an upgraded interior that edges closer to luxury territory, the new Telluride appears set to maintain its position as a favorite in the three-row SUV segment, while pushing the brand’s design language into bolder territory.
