The Kia Telluride has had a dominant first-generation run, with the three-row crossover toppling some of the most sure-footed family crossovers on the market since its debut in 2019. Kia recently teased the second-gen Telluride with some shadowy images that give us a small glimpse at what’s to come.
The new Telluride has been spotted in camo testing before, but now we have a few, albeit less revealing, images to confirm some of the design aspects spied on the testing mules. The 2027 Kia Telluride will be revealed on November 20, 2025, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The 2027 Telluride Boasts Broader Shoulders And New LEDs
Following the second-gen introduction of its corporate twin, the Hyundai Palisade, the 2027 Kia Telluride aims to solidify the Korean outfit’s dominance over the SUV market. As mentioned, the Telluride has been a runaway success since its release. However, Kia isn’t resting on its laurels, nor is it relying on previous success to carry the weight of the new generation. The updated Telluride features a more muscular body style that boasts Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ form language that embraces the contrasts between nature and humanity.
From what we can see, as well as Kia’s own description of the forthcoming crossover, the 2027 Telluride features a broad-shouldered, upright silhouette that some experts believe is a tad longer than the outgoing model. While the exact dimensions aren’t confirmed, some point to the fact that the Palisade, the Telluride’s corporate twin, has grown in its second generation by 2.5 inches in length and 2.7 inches in wheelbase. Other details from the teaser images include thin vertical amber LEDs, as well as a muscular hood with pronounced sculpting, flared fenders, and dual sunroofs.
Above is an AI render of the upcoming Telluride based on the shadowy teaser images, which offers a theoretical appearance in order to give us an idea of what we may see come November 20. Kia notes that the 2027 Telluride’s design takes inspiration from the Colorado town it’s named after, revealing that the design will feature aggressively defined triangular creases in the fenders that resemble facets of a diamond to capture the essence of the Rocky Mountains. The media release also notes a raised beltline that intersects with the D-pillar in such a way that suggests movement even when the vehicle is stationary, as well as black inserts at the top of the pillar that make the flat roofline appear to float atop the windows.
Engine Options Are Of Particular Interest
Since the Telluride’s debut, there have been no hybrid options, which some experts point out as a missed opportunity to make the popular crossover a completely dominant model. While the lack of hybrid power certainly hasn’t held Telluride back, many are predicting the second generation will change that with the introduction of a hybrid mill. The 2027 Telluride will likely feature the same powertrain options as the second-gen Palisade, which include a 3.5-liter V6 making up to 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid with two electric motors producing an estimated 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque combined. Kia targets a range of up to 619 miles and a 4,000-pound towing limit for the hybrid system in the 2026 Palisade, though figures for the Telluride aren’t available at this time. Kia will pull the cover off the 2027 Telluride at the upcoming LA Auto Show, where we’ll likely get the full breakdown of the trim range, specs, and design.
Sources: Kia, LA Auto Show, EPA