Written By JR Robinson

So, okay. Wow. I need a second to just… process this.

If you know me, you know I am a huge fanboy of the Kia brand. I mean, really, look at what they have done over the last decade. It’s incredible. And the Telluride? That was the vehicle that changed everything. It didn’t just move the needle; it broke the needle. It showed the world that you could have style, luxury, and capability without spending a fortune. It was a game changer for the brand, and honestly, for the entire industry.

So, leading up to the LA Auto Show, I was thinking, "How are they going to top this?" You know? Like, when you have a product that is already batting a thousand, how do you make it better without messing up the secret sauce?

Well, today, we got our answer. And let me tell you, they nailed it. They absolutely nailed it.

We are looking at the all-new, next-generation 2027 Kia Telluride. And yes, finally—finally—we are getting a hybrid.

I want to take you through this, step by step, just going through my thoughts as I look at these specs, because there is so much here that gets me excited. I want to break down the design, the power, the tech, and just the overall vibe of this thing. Because for us at JustMy, we love seeing brands win, and we love seeing innovation that actually makes life better for the user. And this? This is winning.

The Hybrid We Have Been Waiting For

Okay, let’s start with the big news. The headline. The thing I have been asking for, for years.

Power meets efficiency.

So, standard, you’re getting a turbocharged engine with nearly 50 lb.-ft. more torque than the old V6. That’s great, right? More grunt is always good. But what I’m really looking at—what’s really got my attention—is the optional turbo-hybrid powertrain.

We are talking 329 horsepower. And, get this, 339 lb.-ft. of torque. That is a huge jump. It’s got more power than the outgoing V6, but here is the kicker: it is rated at a Kia-estimated 35 MPG combined.

Thirty. Five.

For a three-row SUV that looks this good? That is bonkers. And, um, the range? They are estimating a total driving range of 600 miles. Imagine that for a second. You could drive from our HQ in Memphis down to the coast, or halfway across the country, on a single tank. That changes the road trip game completely. No range anxiety, just pure driving.

So, what I’m thinking is, for families, for business owners who are constantly on the go, this efficiency is money in the bank. It’s not just about being "green"—though that’s awesome—it’s about practicality. It’s about not stopping at the gas station every three hours.

And it’s not just a boring hybrid, either. It’s got a 6-speed automatic transmission, not one of those rubber-band CVTs, so it’s going to feel like a real car. Plus, the hybrid comes standard with this thing called E-DTVC—electronic dynamic torque vectoring control. Basically, it uses the electric motors to help you turn better. So it’s efficient, but it’s also going to drive amazingly well.

Design: Opposites United

Now, let’s talk about the looks. Because, let’s be honest, the reason the first Telluride sold like hotcakes was because it looked like a million bucks. It had that "King of the Road" vibe.

I was a little worried they might over-style it, you know? Make it too weird. But looking at the photos... whew. It’s confident. It’s composed.

They are using this design language called "Opposites United." It sounds fancy, but basically, it means mixing rugged nature vibes with modern, clean lines. The hood is broad, the stance is powerful. It still looks like a truck, which I love. But then you look closer, and there are these futuristic details.

The vertical headlamps are super sleek. The grille is high-gloss. And there are these aggressive triangular creases in the fenders that look like a cut diamond. It catches the light in a really sexy way.

And here is a detail I love: flush door handles. Like on the EV9. It cleans up the side profile so much. It makes the car look aerodynamic and premium. Speaking of aerodynamics, they dropped the drag coefficient from 0.33 to 0.30. So it slips through the air better, which helps with that 35 MPG I mentioned earlier.

For the X-Line and X-Pro models—which are the ones I’m really eyeing—they black out the trim, the mirrors, the wheel arches. It just looks tough. It looks like it’s ready to go tackle a mountain.

Okay, so we step inside. And this is where Kia has been absolutely crushing the competition lately.

They call the interior a "Dreamer’s Sanctuary." And I dig that. The cabin is supposed to be this space where opposites unite—expansive but intimate.

The dash has this curved, wrap-around design that houses the screens. It looks very high-tech. But then they mix in wood-based textures to add some warmth, so it doesn’t feel cold or sterile. And, um, get this—they brought back the grab handles on the center console. That was a signature thing in the first gen, and I’m glad they kept it. It just makes you feel secure.

But let’s talk about comfort. Because I want to know, like, if I’m stuck in traffic or on a long drive, how does this thing treat me?

First off: Relaxation Seats.

They have available front relaxation seats with power leg rests. And the driver’s seat? It’s got this "Ergo Motion" feature that uses air pockets to give you a massage. A massage! While you drive! I mean, come on. That is luxury level stuff.

And for the passengers? If you get the second-row captain’s chairs, they are power-operated now, and they are heated and ventilated. My kids are going to be spoiled rotten. Even the third row gets heated seats available. No one is suffering in this car.

They also focused on the noise. They used thicker glass, triple door seals, and more sound absorption. So it’s going to be library-quiet inside. Just imagine cruising along, massage seat on, dead silence... that is the dream.

Space to Stretch Out

Practicality is key for me. I need to haul gear, I need to haul people.

The new Telluride is longer. The wheelbase is up almost 3 inches. That means more legroom for the second and third rows. They claim class-leading legroom. And the cargo space behind the third row is bigger now, too.

So, what I’m thinking is, you can actually put adults in the back without them hating you. And you can still fit groceries or luggage behind them. They even added a "luggage table" feature behind the third row with cupholders. It’s like they thought of everything.

Tech That Connects You

Okay, let’s geek out for a minute. Because the tech stack in this thing is next level.

We have the "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (ccNC). It’s huge—dual 12.3-inch panoramic displays. It does over-the-air updates, so your car gets better over time, just like your phone.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across every single trim. Thank you, Kia! I hate having to plug in just to use Waze.

But here is the cool part. They have integrated Generative AI into the voice assistant. So you can just say, "Hey Kia," and have a natural conversation. You can ask for suggestions, play voice games... it’s wild.

And for the customization fans—listen to this. You can get custom display themes. They have themes for all 30 NBA teams. So if you’re a Grizzlies fan like me, you can deck out your dashboard in team colors. How cool is that? They even have Disney themes coming. I mean, talk about knowing your audience.

Also, Digital Key 2.0. You can use your iPhone or Samsung or even your Apple Watch as the key. You can share keys with friends via text message. "Hey, go grab something out of my car," send key. Done. That is the future.

The X-Pro: Adventure Time

Now, for the weekend warriors. The X-Pro trim.

I love that everyone is doing "off-road" trims now, but Kia is actually putting the hardware in to back it up.

The X-Pro sits higher—9.1 inches of ground clearance. That’s legit. It’s got wider all-terrain tires than before. But the big news is the tech underneath. It has a new electronic limited-slip differential (E-LSD).

So, imagine you’re on a trail, or maybe just a really muddy job site. The car is calculating traction constantly and shifting power left to right, front to back. It finds the grip for you. It’s got a center locking differential for a 50/50 split when things get really gnarly.

And they added a Ground View Monitor.

Basically, if you are driving under 6 mph, the cameras show you a composite view of what is directly underneath the front of the car. So you don’t smash your oil pan on a rock. That is a feature you usually only see in Land Rovers or high-end Jeeps.

Plus, exclusive "Ground Lighting." So if you are camping and you open the door at night, it lights up the area around the car so you don’t trip over a root or step in a puddle. It’s those little thoughtful details that make me love this brand.

Towing and Power

If you need to tow, the Turbo model can pull 5,000 pounds. The Hybrid can do 4,500 pounds. That is plenty for a boat, a couple of jet skis, or a small camper. And it has a self-leveling rear suspension, so you aren’t sagging in the back.

And I like that the tow hitch is integrated into the bumper and hidden. So when you aren’t using it, the car still looks clean. Again, design meets function.

Safety First

Obviously, we have to talk safety. I’ve got a family, you’ve got a family. We want to be safe.

10 airbags. Including a new front-center airbag that pops up between the driver and passenger so you don’t knock heads in a crash. Smart.

The body structure is stiffer, targeting that IIHS Top Safety Pick+.

And the ADAS (driver assist) suite is stacked. Highway Driving Assist 2—which can help you change lanes. Blind-Spot View Monitor—where it shows the camera feed in your dash when you use the blinker (I love that feature).

They even have a Rear Occupant Alert that uses radar. So if you leave a kid or a pet in the back, it flashes lights, honks the horn, and sends a notification to your phone. It’s peace of mind.

Why This Matters

So, look. Why am I so excited about this? Why am I writing 2,000+ words about a car?

Because the Telluride represents what happens when a company actually listens to its customers.

We wanted a hybrid. They gave us a powerful one with amazing range. We wanted more luxury. They gave us massage seats and silence. We wanted better tech. They gave us AI and digital keys. We wanted ruggedness. They gave us the X-Pro with real capability.

They didn’t just rest on their laurels. They didn’t just say, "Hey, the old one is selling fine, let’s just change the bumper and call it a day." No. They reinvented it. They pushed harder.

And that is the kind of energy I love. That is the "JustMy" spirit. It’s about constantly improving, constantly trying to offer more value, constantly trying to wow people.

The Rollout

So, when can we get our hands on this?

The 2027 Telluride is targeted to go on sale in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2026. So we have a little bit of a wait. It’s going to be assembled right here in the USA, in West Point, Georgia. Which is awesome—American jobs, American manufacturing.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but knowing Kia, it’s going to be competitive. They always manage to undercut the luxury brands while offering the same features.

My Takeaway

So what I am thinking is, if you are in the market for a family hauler, or you just want a cool, capable SUV... you might want to hold off on buying anything else until you see this.

This is going to be the benchmark. Again.

I am genuinely pumped to see this thing on the road. I want to see what that "diamond" fender looks like in the sun. 

I want to test out that 600-mile range. I mean, seriously, think about that. That is Memphis to the beach on one tank. That is freedom. That is not worrying about finding a charger or a gas station in the middle of nowhere.

And I want to see if those massage seats are actually good (I bet they are). I want to feel that new steering wheel. I just want to experience it.

The Bottom Line

So, here is the deal.

We talk a lot about "winning" here. We talk about making smart moves, whether that is for your business or your life. And buying a vehicle is a massive investment. It’s usually the second biggest check you write after your house.

So, you have to get it right.

From everything I am seeing—the specs, the design, the thought process behind the engineering—the 2027 Telluride is the right move. It is not just a car; it is a statement. It says you value quality, but you are smart with your money. It says you want luxury, but you actually use your gear.

Kia has done it again. They didn’t just participate in the market; they defined it.

So, what I’m thinking is, I am going to keep my ear to the ground on this one. Like, glued to the ground. As soon as pricing drops, as soon as the pre-orders open, as soon as we get a definitive date for when these are hitting the lots in West Point, I will let you know.

Because we want you to win. We want you to have the best tools for your family and your business, and this SUV looks like the ultimate tool.

If you are as hyped as I am, hit me up. Let me know what spec you would build. Are you going X-Pro for the mud? Or SX-Prestige for the comfort? Let’s talk about it.

Kia, you knocked this one out of the park. Now, let’s get these on the road.