2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWD Review

AutoNetwork's expert review of the 2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWD, including POV test drive footage, 360° walkaround, real-world driving impressions, and honest pros and cons for car buyers.

Read the full 2027 2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige AWD review with detailed photos, video walkaround, and buyer guidance.

Quick Facts

Alright, let's have a talk. For years, the Kia Telluride has been the undisputed champion of the three-row family hauler segment, the one I’ve recommended to more of my readers than just about any other. It delivered style, space, and value in a package that made the competition look overpriced and out of touch. But things change. I just spent some quality time with the new 2027 Kia Telluride HEV X-Line SX-Prestige, and the first number you need to know is its price: $61,180. That’s not a typo. For over sixty grand, you’re not just buying a Kia anymore; you’re shopping in the same neighborhood as Acura, Lexus, and the top trims of just about everything else. So, the question I walked in with was simple: does this Telluride earn that price? I haven’t had the chance to get it out on the road yet—this was a static walkaround at a media preview—but after crawling through every inch of it, I can tell you the answer is a confident mostly yes, with a few important asterisks you need to be aware of.

The first thing you notice is that this Telluride has a presence. The X-Line SX-Prestige trim I examined looks the part of a premium vehicle. It’s got a sophisticated, almost menacing look with its distinctive styling and those big 21-inch gloss black wheels. It doesn't scream for attention, but it commands it. This isn't just a minivan substitute; it's a statement piece you wouldn't be ashamed to pull up in, whether you're in the valet line or just picking the kids up from practice. But the real headline, the reason this vehicle exists, is what’s under the hood. Kia has fitted it with a 2.5-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain. The numbers are strong: 329 horsepower and a stout 339 pound-feet of torque, all managed through a six-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system. While I couldn’t feel how it pulls away from a stoplight, those figures suggest more than enough muscle for confident merging and passing, even with a full load of family and gear.

But the number that will really matter to families, especially those of you watching the budget in places like Gardena, California, or Camden, New Jersey, is the fuel economy. This hybrid is rated at an impressive 30 miles per gallon in the city, 32 on the highway, and 31 combined. For a three-row SUV of this size and power, that is phenomenal. That’s real money you’re saving at the pump, week after week, year after year. And to silence any doubts you might have about investing in a complex new hybrid system, Kia is backing the hybrid battery with its industry-leading ten-year, one-hundred-thousand-mile warranty. That’s not just a warranty; that’s a promise. It’s Kia telling you they stand behind their engineering, giving you the peace of mind to make a long-term commitment to this vehicle. That kind of security is a luxury in itself, and it’s something few competitors are willing to offer. The vehicle I saw was also equipped with the Towing Package, rated for a respectable 4,500 pounds, which is plenty for a small boat or a pop-up camper for those family getaways.

All that power and efficiency is great, but you don't live under the hood. You live inside the cabin, and that's where Kia is really making its case for that sixty-one-thousand-dollar price tag. When you open the driver’s door, you’re greeted by an interior that feels genuinely premium. The centerpiece is a beautiful sweep of glass housing two 12.3-inch panoramic displays—one for your instruments and one for your infotainment. It’s clean, modern, and looks every bit as good as what you’d find in a German luxury car. The tech suite is stacked. You get a head-up display that projects key information onto the windshield, a rich-sounding Meridian audio system, and not one, but two wireless charging pads up front. The seats are where Kia really shines. The driver gets an Ergo Motion seat, designed to reduce fatigue on long drives, and both the first and second-row passengers get heated and ventilated seats. Think about that—your teenagers in the back can have cooled seats on a hot day. That’s a feature that used to be reserved for six-figure executive sedans. The materials feel good to the touch, the fit and finish is tight, and the overall ambiance is one of quiet, competent luxury. Based on what I could see and touch, the cabin absolutely lives up to the price.

Now, for all that good stuff, an uncle’s job is to tell you the whole truth, not just the parts the salesperson wants you to hear. And after spending time in the Telluride, I found a few quirks you need to consider. First, that beautiful, expansive dashboard has a downside: in the right light, it creates a noticeable glare on the windshield. It’s something I saw under the bright lights of the auto show floor, and it could be a real annoyance on a sunny day. I strongly advise you to test drive one on a bright, clear afternoon, not just in the shade of the dealership lot. Second is the digital rearview mirror. It’s a cool piece of tech that uses a camera to show you what’s behind you, but it can be disorienting. Your eyes have to refocus from road distance to screen distance, which can cause a slight blur or a moment of eye strain, especially for those of us over 45 or who wear progressive lenses. Kia even puts a warning about it in the owner’s manual. Thankfully, you can flip it back to a traditional mirror with the touch of a button, but you need to know it’s a potential issue.

My other two hang-ups are matters of execution. At this price, every detail counts, and I noticed that raising the folded-down second-row captain’s chair is a two-handed job. That might not sound like a big deal, but picture yourself juggling grocery bags or a toddler and trying to flip that seat up. It’s an ergonomic miss in a vehicle that otherwise gets so much right. For sixty-one grand, I expect that seat to pop up with one hand. Lastly, while the Telluride is listed with dual sunroofs, they are two separate, smaller panels—one over the front row and one over the second. It’s not the single, expansive panoramic glass roof that many buyers in this class have come to expect. It still lets in light, but it’s a different, less airy experience than a true panoramic roof provides. These aren't deal-breakers, but they are the small details that separate a great vehicle from a perfect one.

So, here’s the verdict. The 2027 Kia Telluride HEV is a deeply impressive machine. It offers a combination of power, style, incredible fuel efficiency, and a warranty that provides genuine long-term peace of mind. The interior is packed with the kind of technology and comfort features that can legitimately challenge near-luxury brands. It’s a vehicle that acknowledges the financial pressures on a modern family while still delivering a truly premium experience. The few flaws I found are minor annoyances rather than fundamental problems. For the family that values low running costs and long-term ownership security as much as they value heated second-row seats and a high-end stereo, this vehicle makes a compelling case for its $61,180 sticker. This is a clear buy. But buy it for the right reasons. Buy it for that brilliant hybrid system, the outstanding warranty, and the feature-packed interior. Plan to keep it long enough to reap the rewards of that fuel economy and dependability. And before you sign on the dotted line, go sit in it, bring the family, and make sure those little quirks don’t get in the way of what is otherwise a fantastic evolution of a family champion.

The Bottom Line

Yes, buy the 2027 Kia Telluride HEV if you value low running costs, long-term ownership security, and a feature-packed interior. It offers a combination of power, style, and impressive fuel efficiency, challenging near-luxury brands. Consider alternatives like Acura or Lexus if specific quirks like dashboard glare or the digital rearview mirror are deal-breakers.

Best For

• Families who value low running costs and long-term ownership security
• Buyers seeking a premium interior with advanced technology
• Those needing a powerful and fuel-efficient three-row SUV
• Families who want heated and ventilated second-row seats

Skip It If

• You are sensitive to dashboard glare on the windshield
• You find digital rearview mirrors disorienting or cause eye strain
• You prefer a single, expansive panoramic glass roof over dual sunroofs
• You need a second-row captain's chair that is easily raised with one hand

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