The Kia SUV That Quietly Became A Premium Alternative

7 minutes reading

Wednesday, 26 Aug 2026 14:00 0 2 autotech

Kia has been on a design roll lately with its vehicles. Though Kia’s newest designs may seem too radical for some buyers, none of its cars can be considered boring to look at. Design, after all, easily sets the tone for how someone perceives a new vehicle from the moment they lay their eyes on it.

Kia’s History Of Pushing Design Boundaries

Tan 2009 Kia Borrego in a Field

Kia

Just like Hyundai (with which it is now integrated as Hyundai Motor Group), Kia entered the American automotive market with a lot to prove. In the 1980s, Kia had affordability as its sole selling point. Today, style has become a selling point when purchasing any Kia model.

Kia’s Design Renaissance

Opposites Unite

Now in 2026, Kia’s design language is defined by Opposites United, which debuted in 2021. This design initiative has been led by Lebanese designer Karim Habib since 2019. Opposites United is characterized by opposing lines and curves uniting to craft a vehicle that’s unlike anything else. Perhaps the vehicle that serves as a perfect template for Opposites United is the Kia EV6, an electric crossover SUV that blurs the line between hatchback, crossover, and a sleek fastback.

Today, Opposites United has spread across the entire Kia lineup. From the affordable K4 to the three-row Telluride, a Kia model is easily identifiable in 2026 due to its unique design. Today, we’ll be learning how this Kia SUV managed to punch above its weight class, not only due to its striking design, but also how everything works together to offer a unique and distinct driving experience.

Kia Can Tell Your Ride

Admittedly, the Kia Tell Your Ride (because Telluride) immediately became a sensational hit among three-row SUVs when it debuted in 2019 for the 2020 model year. Not only does it offer Kia’s signature value-for-money advantage in the newest generation, but it is also a genuinely solid option compared to what Japanese and American automakers have been offering.

How The Telluride Balances Rugged And Sleek Better Than Any Three-Row SUV

Kia’s Opposites United design language works across any template, whether it’s as compact as an EV3 or as larger-than-life as a Telluride. In the Telluride’s case, rugged lines meet sleek, monolithic surfaces to create a three-row SUV that easily stands out on the road. The 2027 Telluride’s imposing front end comes with either a sleek, vertical grille with satin silver trim on the front bumper or a blocky grille with chunky black bumpers in X-Line models. These are paired with slim vertical LED headlights featuring Star-Map amber LED daytime running lights that easily stand out on the road.

At the sides, the Telluride comes with geometric wheels that range from 18 to 21 inches in size, depending on the variant. Rugged X-Line models have chunkier side rocker panels and a thick roof rack to complement the clean side profile. Moving towards the back, the Telluride’s rear fascia is characterized by slim vertical LED taillights with a clean tailgate design. Overall, the Kia Telluride is an SUV that easily stands out with its distinct combination of ruggedness and sleekness.

An Interior That’s Indulgent And Spacious

Step inside the Kia Telluride, and you’ll find yourself enveloped in an interior that’s distinctly styled and thoughtfully crafted. Understandably, lower trims of the Telluride will have a less premium ambiance, but a distinctive design with a lounge-like vibe is standard across the lineup.

This feel is achieved with a large, expansive dash featuring structured layering and a wide center console that offers two wireless charging trays on higher trims. A 12.3-inch connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, while the SX and above add a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster, dual sunroofs, multicolor ambient LED lighting, and a 14-speaker Meridian sound system.

2027 Kia Telluride rear shot showing cargo space

For the most indulgent driving or traveling experience, the three Prestige trims — SX Prestige, X-Line SX Prestige, and X-Pro SX Prestige — offer features such as synthetic suede and leather upholstery, Engineered Wood or Engineered Carbon trim, a power-adjustable steering column, a head-up display, heating and ventilation for the first and second rows, and captain’s chairs.

Representing the absolute pinnacle of the Telluride range are the top two trims of the Telluride Hybrid: the SX Prestige and X-Line SX Prestige. These can be optioned with the Executive Package, which adds power-adjustable leg rests for the front seats, six-way power-adjustable second-row captain’s chairs, and heating for the outboard third-row seats. These are indulgent features that wouldn’t even be found in base-spec compact luxury crossover SUVs at a similar price point.

Kia Sets The Tone For Indulgent Driving

Front 3/4 shot of 2027 Kia Telluride parked off-road

With all of this talk about indulgence and a premium feel, let’s now talk about what makes the Kia Telluride so special for long drives or even just the daily commute. Our team has already taken this vehicle for a drive, and here’s what they experienced behind the wheel of Kia’s indulgent three-row SUV.

Hybrid Version Offers Peak Indulgence

The new Kia Telluride is offered for the first time as a 329-horsepower hybrid. It blends a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder with an electric motor integrated into the six-speed automatic, making it a parallel hybrid. The hybrid drivetrain, shared with the Palisade, delivers linear and responsive power since it doesn’t use an e-CVT. The strong power output also lets this three-row SUV have a sense of smooth urgency when you need more passing power.

Not only does the Telluride Hybrid offer more power, but with an EPA-estimated 35 MPG in mixed driving conditions, it’s also the most efficient. It is unsurprisingly the more refined option, too. By partly relying on the electric motor, the turbocharged four-cylinder doesn’t need to work as hard to move this three-row SUV.

The good news is that, even if you opt for the base 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder, the Telluride is largely a refined and comfortable crossover SUV. The suspension delivers a smooth and supple ride while providing enough firmness to prevent uncontrolled body roll when hustling through corners. Copious amounts of sound insulation and acoustic glass, particularly on higher trims, help keep the cabin serene, even at high speeds.

For the most rugged X-Pro version of the Kia Telluride, you’ll have to ditch the hybrid and settle for the pure internal combustion engine (ICE) version. This is the only engine choice for the X-Pro, which comes with all-terrain tires, 9.1 inches of ground clearance, and even recovery hooks. Though the X-Pro models haven’t been driven yet, expect a slightly different ride quality and handling as a result of their exclusive rugged features.