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Kia Telluride X-Pro Review (2027): Specs & Verdict
The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige AWD boasts a new 2.5L turbo engine and a luxurious, tech-filled cabin. Discover if it retains its benchmark status for family SUVs.
SHOULD YOU BUY THE 2027 KIA TELLURIDE X-PRO SX-PRESTIGE AWD?
Buy the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige if you are a young family looking for a vehicle that feels special without a luxury price tag. It offers style, technology, passenger comfort, and practical features, backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.
What you'll see in this video
• Exterior design and presence
• New 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and powertrain details
• Interior design, technology, and driver comfort features
• Second and third-row passenger comfort and amenities
• Driver-assistance systems and safety features
• Cargo area practicality and a minor fit-and-finish detail
2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige AWD quick facts
seven passengers
10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty
all-wheel-drive
17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, 19 mpg combined
2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine
X-Pro SX-Prestige AWD
What changed
The 2027 model features a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous V6. This engine produces 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
Best for
Young families looking to upgrade
Buyers seeking near-luxury features at a mainstream price
Realtors carrying clients and materials
Small business owners needing to haul inventory
Cross-shop if
You prioritize class-leading fuel economy
Alright now, let’s talk about a vehicle that has single-handedly reset expectations for what a family can, and should, expect from a three-row SUV. When the Kia Telluride first hit the streets, it was a legitimate phenomenon, a vehicle that looked and felt like it cost $20,000 more than its sticker price. It became the benchmark, the one everyone else had to chase. The question I get all the time, from folks in Gardena, California to families out in Camden, New Jersey, is whether Kia can keep that magic going. Well, I just spent some quality time with the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige AWD at a media event, and I’m here to tell you what I found. Now, keep in mind, this was a static walk-around. I didn’t get to put it on the road, but I did get to climb all over it, touch every surface, and get a real feel for what you’ll be living with day-to-day.
The first thing you notice about this particular model, finished in a sophisticated Terrain Brown Matte, is its presence. It’s a handsome, confident-looking machine. But the big news for this 2027 model is under the hood. For those of you familiar with the smooth V6 from the previous generation, you’ll find a major change. Kia has moved to a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Before you get worried, let’s look at the numbers. This new powerplant puts out 274 horsepower, but the number you really want to pay attention to is the torque: 311 lb-ft. That torque figure is what gets a heavy vehicle like this moving from a standstill, and it suggests plenty of grunt for merging onto the freeway or carrying a full load of seven passengers. This engine is paired with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission and a capable all-wheel-drive system that includes a Terrain Mode selector for when the pavement ends. This X-Pro model also includes a self-leveling rear suspension, which is a premium feature that prevents the rear from sagging when you’ve got the whole family and their gear in the back. The trade-off for this new powertrain comes at the pump, with EPA ratings of 17 miles per gallon in the city, 22 on the highway, and 19 combined. Those numbers aren't class-leading, so it’s something you’ll need to factor into your monthly budget.
Where the Telluride continues to absolutely dominate is on the inside. This is where Kia’s reputation for delivering near-luxury at a mainstream price is on full display. Sliding into the driver’s seat is effortless; the ride height is just right, so you’re not climbing up into it or falling down. Once you’re in, the cabin of this SX-Prestige trim is a technological showcase. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the massive, seamless curved display that houses two 12.3-inch screens—one for your gauges and one for your navigation and infotainment. It’s a stunning piece of design that makes the dashboard feel clean, modern, and incredibly high-tech. The driver is treated to an Ergo Motion seat, which is Kia’s fancy term for a seat with active bolstering and massage functions designed to reduce fatigue on long drives. Both front seats are heated and ventilated, a feature you’ll appreciate year-round. The heated steering wheel is a power tilt-and-telescopic unit with a memory function, so it’s easy for multiple drivers to find their perfect position with the touch of a button.
The premium experience extends to your passengers, which is what makes the Telluride such a compelling proposition for families. Second-row passengers in this model get their own heated and ventilated captain’s chairs. Let me repeat that: ventilated seats in the second row. That’s a feature you typically find in German luxury sedans costing twice as much, and it’s a game-changer for keeping kids or adult passengers comfortable on a hot day. Getting into the third row, often a point of compromise in these vehicles, is made easier by wide door openings and a simple mechanism on the second-row seats. Once back there, I was genuinely surprised by the amount of knee room and headroom. A full-grown adult can sit back there for more than just a quick trip across town. The sense of space is amplified by dual sunroofs, which flood the entire cabin with natural light and prevent that claustrophobic feeling common in the back of large SUVs. The interior is packed with thoughtful touches for a modern family, like a dual wireless phone charger up front and a 115V inverter outlet that can power a laptop or even a small appliance.
Of course, a family vehicle is about more than just comfort; it’s about peace of mind. Kia has loaded this Telluride with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance systems. You get the latest versions of their tech, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 and Highway Driving Assist 2, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering to reduce the stress of long highway trips. The Blind-Spot View Monitor is one of my favorite features; it projects a live camera feed of your blind spot directly onto the instrument cluster when you activate your turn signal. It’s an intuitive and incredibly effective safety net. Maneuvering a vehicle this size in tight parking lots can be nerve-wracking, but the Surround View Monitor gives you a 360-degree, top-down view of your surroundings, making it easy to see curbs and other obstacles. It even has Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing you to pull the vehicle into or out of a tight space while standing outside using the key fob.
As I was inspecting the cargo area, I did find one small issue that you’ll want to look for when you see one at the dealership. With the third-row seatback in its upright position, I noticed that the floor carpet behind the seat tended to buckle and bunch up. It’s a minor fit-and-finish detail, but on a vehicle that gets almost everything else so right, it’s worth pointing out. You’ll want to operate the seats and check that area for yourself to make sure you’re happy with it. Still, the overall practicality is outstanding. With the third row folded, you have a cavernous cargo hold that’s perfect for realtors carrying clients and their materials or small business owners who need to haul inventory.
So, what’s the verdict? For the young family looking to upgrade to a vehicle that feels special without the luxury price tag, the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige is an undeniable "Buy." It delivers an unbeatable combination of style, technology, passenger comfort, and practical features. While the fuel economy from the new turbo engine isn't stellar, it's a reasonable trade-off for the power and the sheer amount of content you're getting for your money. And let’s not forget Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, which remains one of the best in the business and provides long-term peace of mind. Kia set the bar years ago, and based on what I’ve seen, they have no intention of giving up their crown. This is Roosevelt Gist for AutoNetwork.com, reminding you to always be prepared before you walk into that dealership. Make sure you download our free New Car Buyer's Checklist to help you make the smartest deal.
By the Numbers: Official EPA Ratings
These figures come straight from the EPA's official fuel-economy database for the 2027 Telluride AWD listing — government test numbers, not estimates. Check them yourself at fueleconomy.gov before you walk into a dealership.
2.5L 4-cylinder turbo
Automatic (S8)
All-Wheel Drive
18 / 24 / 20
Regular
$3,100
The EPA's annual fuel cost assumes 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving, and national average fuel prices. Your real number moves with your commute and your local prices — but it is the fairest apples-to-apples comparison you can make between two vehicles on a shopping list.
Questions People Ask About the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige AWD:
What gas mileage does the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige AWD get?
The EPA rates the 2027 Telluride AWD at 20 MPG combined. The 2.5L 4-cylinder turbo returns 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined on regular fuel.
What will it cost me in fuel each year?
The EPA's estimate is $3,100 a year at 15,000 miles of mixed driving. Ask your dealer which engine is in the exact car on the lot — the window sticker carries this same number.
*Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy data, fueleconomy.gov (2027 Telluride AWD).*
Sources and specifications
First-hand road test and walkaround by Roosevelt Gist
Manufacturer specifications (OEM)
EPA fuel economy / range estimates
NHTSA and IIHS safety data
Vehicle examined May 7, 2026. Pricing and EPA figures reflect the date of testing and can change.
See our testing methodology and editorial standards.
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