2nd Generation Gets Bigger, Bolder, Proudly Boxy
On October 28, 2025, Kia opened the doors to its Irvine Design Center to the automotive media for a preview of the much-anticipated second generation Telluride, its very successful three-row midsize SUV. The experience included two display vehicles and presentations by Kia’s President Sean Yoon and its Vice President and Senior Chief Designer Tom Kearns.
The new Telluride design is “bigger, bolder and still proudly boxy,” as Kia describes it. It’s also the result of international cooperation. Irvine-based designers explained to Clean Fleet Report how the 2027 Telluride’s design process was accomplished between California and South Korea through use of virtual meetings and 3-D goggle technology. Back in the physical world, a designer sculpted materials in the studio on a model to demonstrate the physical design process of bringing concepts to life.
Yoon stated that the new design of the Telluride is based on Kia’s “opposites united” design philosophy. Kearns explained that the second-generation Telluride introduces features that customers didn’t even know they wanted–mentioning innovative sliding storage compartments and animated welcome lights as examples.
Notable new exterior design features of the new Telluride are the squared high-gloss front grille with vertical headlamps, flush door handles, rear bumper extending down to the wheels, three added inches in length, and square cutout notches above the wheels. All of these new features purposely echo the “boxy” and “chiseled” design concept for the vehicle, contrasting from the first generation’s rounded design elements.
New Off-Road Edition
Kia also departed from the first gen design of the Telluride by subjecting the new edition to off-road testing so that a trail-ready trim level, the X-Pro, would be part of the lineup. It will have a generous 9.1 inches of ground clearance.
Kia showed two new Tellurides’ trim levels, the off-road X-Pro and the more luxurious SXP.
The Telluride’s interior was designed to be a “dreamer’s sanctuary,” with more room, upgraded seats, integrated hand grips in the center console and engineered carbon fiber and wood trim options available in a variety of configurations and colors. The new steering wheel on the X-Pro is shaped with a flattened top and bottom.
Kia showed a camouflaged SXP model; the unadorned SXP, which we have up top, will be revealed next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Four trim levels will be offered for model year 2027, with production set to start next year.
The vehicle is still in the testing phase for engine, transmission and suspension elements, so details are not currently available. Test mules have been spotted in Irvine since August in the area around Kia’s Design Center.
The world premiere of the new Telluride will be at the Los Angeles International Auto Show next week, on November 20.
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Story by Michele Spencer. Photos by Michele Spencer and Kia.
Wow, the 2027 Telluride looks pretty cool! I dig the boxy design and the off-road edition sounds awesome. Can’t wait to see more details at the LA Auto Show!
@lily,
It’s fans like you that could make this “proudly boxy” SUV an ongoing success. –ed.