The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro arrives with bolder styling, a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine and enough off-road-themed hardware to stand apart in a crowded three-row SUV market. After a week of driving the SX Prestige AWD X-Pro, the biggest surprise was not the missing V-6. It was how different the rugged exterior felt from the upscale cabin.
What Makes the 2027 Telluride an X-Pro?
The X-Pro treatment includes 18-inch black-finished alloy wheels, Continental CrossContact all-terrain tires sized 255/60R18, orange-accented recovery points, black mirror caps, black roof rails, an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential and X-Pro-specific suspension tuning. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, which is enough for a light boat or pop-up camper.
Our tester wore Terrain Brown Matte paint, a $995 option. The color and squared-off styling certainly make the Telluride noticeable, though the look will be polarizing. The rear design drops away sharply, while the gloss-black trim seems vulnerable to scratches if the SUV spends much time off pavement.
Three-Row Practicality
The Telluride remains a practical family hauler. A golf bag fits across the cargo area behind the third row, and the rear seats are easy to raise or lower. The second-row captain’s chairs slide forward for third-row access, with a power release button adding convenience. Third-row space is best reserved for kids or occasional use.
Second-row passengers get heated and ventilated seats, sunshades, USB ports, cup holders, separate climate controls and ceiling-mounted vents. Hard plastic on the seatbacks and lower trim should also make mud and kid-related messes easier to clean.
An Interior That Feels Like a Different Vehicle
The cabin is far more luxurious than the exterior suggests. Marble-look trim, a suede headliner and a wide digital display create a premium atmosphere. Wireless Apple CarPlay, two wireless charging pads, a camera-based rearview mirror and a surround-view camera system add useful technology without eliminating physical climate controls.
The console’s sliding cover can hide the cup holders and create a larger storage surface, although the covered bin underneath is not especially deep. The squared-off steering wheel improves the view of the instrument panel but feels awkward during hand-over-hand turns.
Headrest Correction
The front headrests have an unusual, almost alien shape and can push some occupants’ heads forward. We originally said they were not adjustable, but owners correctly noted that the fore-aft position does move. Use both hands to pull the headrest forward and cycle it through the available positions. Shoppers should still test the seating position for themselves, but the adjustment changes the comfort equation.
New Turbo Engine: 274 Horsepower, 311 pound-feet
Kia replaced the previous V-6 with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Some buyers will prefer the familiarity of a naturally aspirated V-6, but the turbo engine feels quicker in normal driving and delivers stronger passing performance from 55 to 70 mph.
Floor it from a stop and there is an obvious pause before the turbo comes alive. Sport mode improves throttle and transmission response, while Normal mode prioritizes smoother operation and fuel economy. Our mostly city driving averaged about 18 mpg. EPA estimates are 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined.
Price and Verdict
Our loaded SX Prestige AWD X-Pro landed around $58,000, putting it near the top of the Telluride range. Less expensive trims can bring the price into the $40,000s while retaining much of the space and basic goodness. Kia’s long powertrain warranty remains another meaningful advantage.
The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro is not a hardcore off-roader, and the matte brown paint would not be our first choice. Still, the combination of useful three-row packaging, a refined interior, strong turbocharged torque and everyday comfort makes it a compelling midsize SUV. We would buy the Telluride — just in a different color, and only after comparing the X-Pro hardware with the equipment on lower trims.
