Kia is killing off the Telluride’s V6.
When the redesigned 2027 Telluride arrives, the brand’s best-selling three-row SUV will ditch its longtime 3.8-liter V6 in favor of a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and, for the first time, a hybrid model Kia says could hit an estimated 35 mpg and up to 600 miles of range.
For American families who bought the Telluride for its smooth, naturally aspirated V6 feel (and that familiar growl), it’s a major identity shift. Kia’s message: the numbers made the decision.
Kia’s pitch: better “real-world” performance, cleaner emissions, more capability
Sang Lee, a product planning executive at Kia America, framed the move as a data-driven call, not a cost-cutting exercise or a trend-chasing makeover. The company argues the turbo four and the new hybrid setup deliver stronger usable torque, improved emissions performance, and better behavior when the SUV is loaded down with people and gear.
This is also where the broader U.S. market is heading. Big family SUVs are getting heavier and more tech-packed, and automakers are leaning on turbocharging and electrification to keep them feeling quick around town while chasing better EPA numbers.
Kia knows what it’s giving up. A naturally aspirated V6 has a simpler, more linear character that many drivers trust, especially long-term. Turbo engines can bring more complexity as miles pile up. Kia’s counter: this 2.5-liter turbo is a modern, widely used engine in the Hyundai-Kia lineup, which could help with parts availability and service familiarity over time.
The new base engine: 274 hp turbo four with more torque than the old V6
The standard 2027 Telluride engine will be a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
That’s less peak horsepower than the outgoing V6 (291 hp), but a meaningful torque jump, up 49 lb-ft. In daily driving, torque is what you feel when you merge, pass, or climb a grade with a full cabin.
Instrumented testing, though, suggests the story isn’t purely “new equals quicker.” One test clocked the 2027 Telluride at 8.3 seconds in a 5-to-60 mph run, about a second slower than the previous generation in the same measure, and it also trailed in some passing-speed acceleration tests. The upside: reviewers still described the turbo engine as responsive in normal driving, with strong midrange pull.
Not slow, just heavier: testing shows 0–60 mph in 7.4 seconds for an AWD model
In another published result, an all-wheel-drive 2027 Telluride hit 0–60 mph in 7.4 seconds, solid for a three-row family hauler.
Weight is a big part of why times vary. The tested vehicle reportedly tipped the scales at 4,798 pounds, which is 308 pounds heavier than before. That extra mass can blunt acceleration no matter how much torque you add.
The comparison to its corporate cousin is telling. A newly tested Hyundai Palisade with a V6 (287 hp, 260 lb-ft) ran 0–60 mph in 8.0 seconds in an AWD Calligraphy trim. In other words: having a V6 doesn’t automatically make a three-row SUV quicker. Calibration, gearing, and torque delivery matter.
Fuel economy: the turbo model looks familiar, but the hybrid is the big swing
If you were expecting the V6-to-four-cylinder switch to dramatically cut fuel bills, the early numbers may disappoint. The non-hybrid turbo Telluride is expected to land around 20 mpg combined, roughly in line with recent Telluride and Palisade AWD models.
The real efficiency play is the hybrid. Kia says the Telluride Hybrid will combine the 2.5-liter turbo with electric motors and a battery pack for a total of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque, more than the old V6 on both counts.
Kia is targeting an estimated 35 mpg combined and up to 600 miles of total range. Those are manufacturer estimates, and real-world results will depend on speed, weather, terrain, and how many people and bags you’re hauling.
A “Stay Mode” feature aims at family convenience, 20 minutes of cabin power without the engine
One of the more practical hybrid-specific additions is a feature Kia calls “Stay Mode.” The idea is simple: the battery can run the cabin systems for about 20 minutes without firing up the gas engine.
That matters in everyday American life, waiting in a school pickup line, taking a roadside break with the A/C blasting, or keeping the infotainment on without idling a big engine.
The tradeoff is complexity. Hybrids add high-voltage components and more electronics, which can raise diagnostic and repair stakes down the road. But they can also deliver smoother low-speed response and better stop-and-go efficiency, exactly where big SUVs tend to feel thirstiest.
More tech, more quiet, more space: the 2027 interior leans upscale
The powertrain changes arrive alongside a broader push upmarket. Kia says cargo space behind the third row increases from 21 to 22 cubic feet. Fold the third row and it grows to 46 cubic feet; fold the second row too and it expands to 87 cubic feet.
Inside, the Telluride adds more sound-deadening, thicker glass, and triple door seals, an ironic twist for anyone mourning the V6 soundtrack. Available features include ambient lighting, hidden-style door handles, heated third-row seats, and a power-adjustable steering column with memory.
Tech remains a Telluride selling point. The cabin can be equipped with dual 12.3-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and streaming apps like YouTube and Netflix when parked, along with an AI-based voice assistant.
The bigger picture: Kia is betting Telluride buyers want a quieter, more efficient, more tech-forward family SUV, and that the hybrid’s range and mpg will do more to win them over than a V6 ever could.
Key Takeaways
- The 2027 Kia Telluride drops the 3.8L V6 in favor of a 2.5L turbo and a hybrid version.
- The 2.5L turbo makes 274 hp and, more importantly, 311 lb-ft, paired with an 8-speed automatic.
- The hybrid jumps to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft, with an estimated 35 mpg and 600 miles of range.
- Measured performance varies, and weight rises to 4,798 lb on the tested example.
- The interior improves in tech and space, with up to 87 cu ft of cargo room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kia dropping the V6 on the 2027 Telluride?
Kia says the decision is driven by measurable factors: better real-world performance, lower emissions, and improved capability under load. The brand is replacing the 3.8L V6 with a 2.5L turbo and adding a hybrid powertrain that’s more powerful and more efficient on paper.
Is the 2.5 turbo more powerful than the old V6?
In horsepower, no: 274 hp versus 291 hp for the old V6. In torque, yes: 311 lb-ft versus 262 lb-ft. Tests show passing acceleration can sometimes be worse than the previous model, but it’s still described as responsive in everyday driving, with a well-tuned 8-speed transmission.
What does the 2027 Telluride hybrid promise?
The hybrid is rated at 329 hp and 339 lb-ft, above the old V6. Kia also claims 35 mpg combined and up to an estimated 600 miles of range. A Stay Mode feature would allow the cabin to be powered for about 20 minutes without starting the engine.
Should you expect higher maintenance costs with the turbo?
Kia acknowledges turbo engines can be more complex than naturally aspirated ones, and therefore potentially more expensive to maintain at higher mileage. The brand notes this 2.5L is a modern engine that’s already been developed and refined across multiple platforms, but real-world reliability will depend on owner experience over time.
Is the 2027 Telluride also changing in space and technology?
Yes. Cargo space behind the third row increases from 21 to 22 cu ft, then 46 cu ft with the rear seats folded, and up to 87 cu ft with the second row folded. The cabin also adds 12.3-inch displays, over-the-air updates, and more sound insulation.
Sources
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