Kia didn’t just tweak the Telluride for 2026 — it skipped the model year entirely. If you’re shopping for a three-row family SUV right now, you’ve got two real choices. Grab a discounted leftover 2025 Telluride off a dealer lot, or hold out for the redesigned 2027 Telluride hybrid that’s just now rolling into showrooms. Here’s how to actually decide.
Why did Kia skip the 2026 Telluride entirely?
Kia didn’t want to sell an outdated placeholder for one year. It also didn’t want buyers watching a totally new generation show up months later. So the company sold down the 2025 Telluride and jumped straight to a fully redesigned 2027 model instead.
A Kia spokesperson confirmed to Kelley Blue Book that “as the current 2025 Telluride sells down on schedule, we are preparing the all-new 2027 to debut in dealer showrooms in 2026.” It’s an unusual move. But it’s not unheard of — Acura did something similar with the MDX ahead of its 2022 redesign.
What’s actually new on the 2027 Telluride?
Basically everything. The second-generation Telluride is longer, taller, and roomier than the outgoing model. It has a boxier exterior and vertical lighting. The interior is completely reworked, too, ditching the console-mounted shifter for a column-mounted electronic one.
The bigger story is under the hood. Kia retired the long-running 3.8-liter V6. In its place is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. For the first time ever, the Telluride now offers a hybrid option, too. That version pairs the same turbo-four with electric motors for 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque.
How much does the 2027 Telluride hybrid actually cost?
The Telluride Hybrid starts around $46,490 MSRP before destination for the base EX trim. Add fees and it lands closer to $48,000. That’s roughly $7,300 more than the gas-only Telluride’s starting price. But that premium buys real efficiency gains, not just a badge.
The hybrid earns an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined. It also offers up to 637 miles of total driving range on the EX FWD trim. Compare that to roughly 22 mpg combined for the standard turbo-four gas model. If you drive a lot of miles, that gap adds up fast at the pump.
2025 vs. 2027 Telluride: quick comparison
| Model | Engine | Horsepower | Combined MPG | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Telluride | 3.8L V6 | ~291 hp | ~21-22 mpg | Discounted, dealer-dependent |
| 2027 Telluride (gas) | 2.5L Turbo-4 | 274 hp | ~22 mpg | $40,735 |
| 2027 Telluride Hybrid | 2.5L Turbo-4 + electric | 329 hp | 35 mpg | ~$48,035 |
Is a leftover 2025 Telluride still worth buying?
Yes, if you want a proven, thoroughly sorted vehicle at a real discount. The 2025 Telluride is the final year of a generation that racked up six straight KBB Best Buy Awards. Dealers are motivated to clear that inventory before the redesign fully takes over lots.
You’ll give up the extra mpg and tech of the redesign. But you’ll also skip the “first model year” bugs. We’ve dug into this exact tradeoff in more detail in our leftover 2025 Telluride comparison. The short version: the discount often outweighs what you’re missing.
Should you wait for the 2027 Telluride hybrid instead?
If fuel economy and long-term running costs matter more to you than saving money upfront, waiting for the hybrid makes sense. Jumping from roughly 22 mpg to 35 mpg combined is a meaningful, real-world difference. That’s especially true for anyone doing a lot of highway miles or school runs.
Just know you’re buying into a brand-new platform. Early-production 2027 Tellurides have already had a couple of recalls. One affects third-row seat-belt anchors on vehicles built in a narrow early-2026 window. A second involves power-folding second-row seats on certain Hybrid Executive Package trims. Neither is unusual for a first-year redesign. But if you’re recall-averse, check your specific VIN before signing paperwork.
So which one should you actually buy?
If you need a three-row SUV this month and want the best value, buy the leftover 2025. The discounts on outgoing inventory are real, and the reliability track record speaks for itself. If you can wait a few months for early recalls to get sorted, and you drive enough to actually benefit from 35 mpg, the 2027 Telluride hybrid is the better long-term buy.
What I wouldn’t do is pay full sticker for a 2027 gas model right at launch. You’re paying redesign pricing without the hybrid’s efficiency upside. For that money, you might as well step up to the hybrid trim. For more on how Kia’s hybrid lineup is performing across the brand, check out our breakdown of Kia’s 2026 hybrid sales boom. And if sticker shock is a concern, our look at rising new car prices is worth a read before you sign anything.
FAQ
Why doesn’t Kia have a 2026 Telluride at all?
Kia sold down the outgoing 2025 Telluride and moved straight to the redesigned second-generation model for 2027. That skipped the 2026 designation entirely, avoiding an outdated interim version.
Does the 2027 Telluride still offer a V6 engine?
No. Kia retired the 3.8-liter V6 after the 2025 model year. It’s replaced by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, available in gas-only and hybrid versions.
How much more is the Telluride Hybrid than the gas model?
The Telluride Hybrid starts roughly $7,300 higher than the gas-only Telluride. That gap narrows to around $2,700 when comparing equivalent EX trims.
Are there recalls on the new 2027 Telluride?
Yes. A small number of early-production units have been recalled for third-row seat-belt anchor issues. Others involve power second-row seats on certain Hybrid Executive Package trims. Check your VIN before buying.