Over the past few years, Kia has evolved from a value-driven automaker into one of design’s most compelling storytellers — bringing style, substance, and forward-thinking technology to the masses. The transformation has made Kia a consideration across all tax brackets. Now, with the 2027 model year, the brand is doing it again with the adventure-chic Kia Telluride X-Pro.
Before its global debut at the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show, we traveled to Irvine, California, to visit Kia’s U.S. Design Center for an exclusive first look at the reimagined 2027 Telluride.
The challenge for this second-generation Telluride wasn’t to reinvent, but to evolve. For Kia’s design team, the mission was clear: preserve the essence and design DNA that made the original such a standout while refining its presence and sophistication. This wasn’t a clean slate — it was a continuation of a legacy.
The result is an all-new Telluride that’s bigger, bolder, and still proudly boxy. It’s now 2.3 inches longer overall, with a wheelbase stretched nearly three inches and a one-inch increase in height. The proportions exude confidence, maintaining the Telluride’s rugged stance while embracing a sleeker, more modern edge.
