Kia Telluride Trim Levels: 2027 Gas and Hybrid Buying Guide

For U.S. shoppers; checked September 30, 2026. The 2027 Telluride is a new generation, so older trim advice should not be carried forward without re-checking the equipment and powertrain.

Before comparing leather and screens, choose gasoline or hybrid, then the seating layout. After that, decide whether you need AWD, different wheels and tires, or the extra cabin equipment. The gasoline range starts with LX and includes X-Line and X-Pro versions; the first Telluride Hybrid starts at EX with its own five-trim lineup. Keeping those two lists separate makes the choices much easier to follow.

2027 Telluride trim lineup: gas first, hybrid second

Kia lists ten gasoline grades: LX, S, EX, X-Line EX, SX, X-Line SX, SX Prestige, X-Line SX Prestige, X-Pro SX and X-Pro SX Prestige. The hybrid lineup is EX, SX, X-Line SX, SX Prestige and X-Line SX Prestige.

That split matters because an EX badge does not mean the same powertrain. The gasoline Telluride uses a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder rated at 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid combines a 2.5-liter turbo engine with electric assistance for a published 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft. Use Kia's 2027 Telluride gasoline specifications and 2027 Telluride Hybrid specifications when comparing exact equipment.

Kia announced a starting MSRP of $39,190 for the gasoline LX FWD and $46,490 for the Hybrid EX FWD, excluding $1,545 destination, taxes, registration and options. See the gasoline pricing announcement and hybrid pricing announcement. The hybrid begins at a higher equipment level, so those starting prices compare different trims as well as different powertrains.

Seating is the first trim filter

If eight seats are a requirement, the trim search narrows quickly. Do not assume a more expensive Telluride adds a seat; many upper trims move the other direction by using second-row captain's chairs.

Bring the people who will actually use the second and third rows to the dealership. A seven-seat layout can improve the path to row three, but a bench may be more useful when you routinely carry five children or need three positions in row two. A spec-sheet seating count cannot tell you whether your child restraints, passengers and bags all work together.

How to think about the gasoline trims

Kia's gas features matrix and specifications table establish these configurations. Gas SX is FWD-only; shoppers wanting comparable equipment with AWD should investigate the AWD branches.

LX is the clean budget reference. It gives you the new-generation body and eight-passenger layout without forcing appearance or luxury packages into the purchase.

S is the first step to a seven-seat configuration and larger wheels. It makes sense when captain's chairs are part of the reason you are buying, not simply because it sits above LX.

EX is the practical crossroad because it keeps eight-seat capacity in gasoline form while moving further into comfort equipment. If your household needs eight seats, compare LX and EX directly before looking at the seven-seat upper grades.

Our first family shortlist is EX when eight seats and front-seat ventilation matter together, or S when seven seats and a lower equipment budget fit the brief. LX remains the capacity-first budget choice. Those are editorial choices based on the equipment matrix, rather than results of comparative driving tests.

SX and SX Prestige are cabin- and technology-focused choices. The decision should be based on the features you will use every week: seat functions, camera systems, audio, driver-display features and other convenience equipment. Confirm them on the exact vehicle because package availability can change.

X-Line and X-Pro: different priorities, not automatic upgrades

X-Line versions change the exterior stance and AWD-oriented specification. X-Pro goes further: Kia lists 9.1 inches of ground clearance, 18-inch wheels with wider all-terrain tires and additional trail-oriented hardware on X-Pro models.

Those features are useful only if they match your roads and travel. A buyer spending nearly all their time on paved commuting should compare tire replacement cost, road feel and wheel damage risk as carefully as the styling. A household that regularly reaches campsites or rough trailheads may value the X-Pro equipment more.

Kia lists a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity for the gasoline Telluride and 4,500 pounds for the hybrid. Tow ratings require the correct equipment and do not replace payload, tongue-weight or trailer-brake calculations.

When the Telluride Hybrid deserves the shortlist

The hybrid is not simply a fuel-saving option added to every gas trim. It starts at EX, seats seven, and has its own equipment ladder. Kia publishes an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined for the Hybrid EX FWD, along with the 329-hp system output.

That makes it most relevant to buyers who drive enough miles for efficiency to matter and who do not need eight-passenger seating. Compare your annual mileage, local fuel prices, insurance quote and actual purchase price rather than assuming the fuel savings automatically recover the higher entry cost. Use the Telluride interior guide to compare seating and roof configuration before ordering.

What to test before choosing a trim

Start with the seating layout and drive system, then test the exact trim. Put the driver's seat where you would really use it, seat an adult behind that position, and have someone enter row three. Pair your phone, use the camera views, operate climate controls and confirm which features require connected services.

Wheel size deserves a separate check. The 2027 gas lineup ranges from 18-inch to 21-inch wheels depending on trim. Larger wheels can change tire cost and the amount of sidewall protecting the rim, while X-Pro returns to 18-inch wheels for its all-terrain setup.

Finally, compare itemized out-the-door quotes. A lower trim with dealer-installed accessories can cost more than a cleaner higher trim. Ask for base vehicle, factory options, destination, dealer accessories, fees, taxes and registration separately.

For trailer shopping, see our 2027 Telluride towing-capacity guide. It explains the current gas and hybrid limits and why the older X-Pro rating does not transfer to the redesign.

Frequently asked questions

How many 2027 gasoline Telluride trims are there?

Kia lists ten gasoline grades, from LX through X-Pro SX Prestige.

Does the 2027 Telluride Hybrid seat eight?

No. Kia's 2027 hybrid specification table lists seven-passenger seating across the hybrid range.

Which gasoline Telluride trims seat eight?

Kia lists eight-passenger capacity for the gasoline LX and EX. Other gasoline grades in the published specification table seat seven.

Is X-Pro the most luxurious Telluride?

X-Pro is primarily the more trail-oriented branch. Prestige equipment and X-Pro capability can overlap, but they answer different buying priorities.

Are these SUVLook road-test conclusions?

No. The specifications are manufacturer-published U.S. data; the shopping framework is SUVLook editorial guidance.