Picking the right Kia Telluride trim level feels overwhelming — ten options in 2025, and even more choices now with the redesigned 2027. You don’t want to overpay for features you’ll never use, or cheap out and regret it later. This guide breaks down every Kia Telluride trim level clearly, including the new hybrid lineup, so you can buy with confidence.
Why There’s No 2026 Kia Telluride
Before diving into trims, here’s something worth knowing: Kia deliberately skipped the 2026 model year entirely. Instead of releasing an incremental update, they jumped straight to a completely redesigned 2027 model. The strategy paid off — Telluride sales jumped 24% in June 2026 alone.
So right now, you’re choosing between two very different vehicles:
- 2025 Telluride — the refined final version of generation one
- 2027 Telluride — a bigger, turbocharged, and hybridized redesign
Both are excellent. Your budget and priorities determine which wins.
2025 Kia Telluride Trim Levels: All 10 Options
The 2025 Telluride runs a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. It’s smooth, reliable, and proven. The IIHS awarded it a TOP SAFETY PICK+ — their highest honor.
Here’s a full breakdown:
| 2025 Trim | Starting MSRP | Drivetrain | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| LX | $36,190 | FWD / AWD | 18″ alloys, SynTex seats, 12.3″ display, 8-passenger |
| S | $39,090 | FWD / AWD | 20″ alloys, captain’s chairs, heated front seats |
| EX | $41,790 | FWD / AWD | Leather seats, sunroof, ventilated fronts, power liftgate |
| EX X-Line | $46,085 | AWD only | +0.4″ ground clearance, 20″ X-Line wheels, locking diff |
| EX X-Pro | $47,085 | AWD only | All-terrain tires, 5,500-lb towing, 110V cargo inverter |
| SX | $45,890 | FWD / AWD | Dual sunroofs, Harman Kardon audio, blind-spot camera |
| SX X-Line | $49,485 | AWD only | SX tech + raised clearance, X-Line styling |
| SX Prestige | $51,090 | AWD only | Nappa leather, HUD, ventilated second-row seats |
| SX Prestige X-Line | $52,385 | AWD only | Prestige luxury + X-Line exterior |
| SX Prestige X-Pro | $53,385 | AWD only | Nappa leather + all-terrain tires + 5,500-lb towing |
2025 LX and S: The Smart Starting Point
The LX starts at $36,190 and honestly doesn’t feel like a base model. You get LED headlights, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and eight-passenger seating. That’s a strong foundation.
The S trim ($39,090) steps things up meaningfully. You get 20″ wheels, roof rails, and — importantly — the seven-passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs. Both front seats are heated, and there’s a wireless charger and power sunroof. If you frequently carry fewer than eight people, the S gives you much better comfort at a fair premium.
2025 EX, EX X-Line, and EX X-Pro: The Family Sweet Spot
The EX trim ($41,790) is where most families land, and for good reason. Genuine leather seating, ventilated front seats, a power liftgate with auto-close, and eight-passenger capacity make it a genuinely complete package.
The EX X-Line ($46,085) is for buyers who want light off-road credibility. It mandates AWD, raises ground clearance slightly, and adds dark exterior accents with 20″ X-Line wheels and raised roof rails. Everything looks tougher without costing you refinement.
The EX X-Pro ($47,085) is the real deal for trail driving. It swaps the big 20″ wheels for 18″ alloys wrapped in all-terrain tires — those taller sidewalls absorb rocks and ruts far better. Towing capacity bumps to 5,500 lbs, and you get a 110V cargo power inverter for campsite power. This is the trim for outdoor enthusiasts.
2025 SX and SX Variants: Tech-First Buyers
The SX ($45,890) is the technology flagship of the mid-range. Dual sunroofs, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon system, and a 360-degree surround view camera set it apart. The Blind-Spot View Monitor projects live camera footage right into your gauge cluster when you signal — genuinely useful in city traffic.
The SX Prestige ($51,090) is where the Telluride starts competing with luxury brands directly. You get:
- Nappa leather throughout
- Synthetic suede headliner
- Heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs
- 10-inch Head-Up Display
- Full digital rearview mirror
That last feature uses a rear camera to give you an unobstructed view behind the vehicle — no tall passengers or cargo blocking your sightline.
The SX Prestige X-Pro ($53,385) piles everything on top of everything: Nappa leather, HUD, digital mirror, 18″ all-terrain tires, 5,500-lb towing, and the full AWD system. It’s the most capable and most luxurious 2025 Telluride you can buy.
2027 Kia Telluride Trim Levels: The Redesigned Generation
The 2027 Telluride is physically larger — 116.9-inch wheelbase versus 114.2 inches — and second-row legroom grows to 43 inches. The old V6 is gone. Every gas model now runs a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 274 hp and a much stronger 311 lb-ft of torque, available at just 1,700 RPM. That low-end pull makes it feel faster in daily driving than the old V6 ever did.
2027 Gas Trim Levels
| 2027 Gas Trim | Starting MSRP | Drivetrain | Key Advancements |
|---|---|---|---|
| LX | $39,190 | FWD | 2.5L turbo, 12.3″ screen, 19 safety features |
| S | $42,090 | FWD / AWD | 20″ alloys, captain’s chairs, heated fronts |
| EX | $43,790 | FWD / AWD | SynTex leather, ventilated seats, 8-passenger |
| X-Line EX | $47,290 | AWD | 21″ gloss-black wheels, X-Line styling |
| SX | $48,790 | FWD | Dual 12.3″ panoramic display, Meridian 14-speaker audio |
| X-Line SX | $51,790 | AWD | 21″ wheels + SX tech |
| X-Pro SX | $53,690 | AWD | All-terrain tires, 9.1″ clearance, e-LSD, 5,500-lb tow |
| SX Prestige | $53,890 | AWD | 12″ HUD, 10-way driver seat, heated/ventilated second row |
| X-Line SX Prestige | $54,890 | AWD | Prestige luxury + 21″ wheels |
| X-Pro SX Prestige | $56,790 | AWD | Ultimate capability + ultimate luxury |
The 2027 SX introduces the single biggest interior upgrade: dual 12.3-inch displays under one continuous glass panel, creating a near-30-inch digital dashboard. Paired with a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, it’s a serious step up in daily ambiance.
The 2027 X-Pro models earn their price with a new electronic rear limited-slip differential (e-LSD) that forces torque to whichever rear tire has grip. Ground clearance grows to 9.1 inches. A new Ground View Monitor projects the terrain under the front bumper onto your screens — handy when you can’t see what your front wheels are about to roll over.
2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid Trim Levels
The 2027 Telluride Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor for 329 combined horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel-drive variants hit 35 MPG combined — enough for a 637-mile range on a single tank. That directly challenges the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid on its home turf.
One important caveat: the hybrid’s maximum towing capacity is 4,500 lbs, compared to 5,000–5,500 lbs for gas models.
| 2027 Hybrid Trim | Starting MSRP | Drivetrain | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid EX | $46,490 | FWD / AWD | 35 MPG combined (FWD), heated/ventilated fronts, 18″ wheels |
| Hybrid SX | $51,490 | FWD | 20″ wheels, dual 12.3″ screens, Meridian audio, 10-way driver seat |
| Hybrid X-Line SX | $54,490 | AWD | 21″ wheels, terrain modes, matte black grille |
| Hybrid SX-Prestige | $56,590 | AWD | 12″ HUD, digital rearview mirror, Remote Smart Parking |
| Hybrid X-Line SX-Prestige | $57,590 | AWD | X-Line styling + full prestige luxury + optional Executive Package |
The Hybrid SX-Prestige adds Digital Key 2.0 with ultra-wideband technology and Remote Smart Parking Assist — you can back the Telluride into a tight spot from outside the car using just the key fob. The synthetic suede headliner and acoustic second-row windows make this the quietest cabin in the lineup.
The top-spec Hybrid X-Line SX-Prestige ($57,590) adds an optional $900 Executive Package with power leg rests for second-row passengers, six-way power second-row seats, heated third-row seating, and a “Relaxation Mode.” It’s a feature set you’d expect from a $70,000 luxury SUV.
Safety Features Across Every Trim
Every 2025 and 2027 Telluride — regardless of trim — comes standard with:
- Forward Collision Warning with automatic emergency braking (detects vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and turning-intersection threats)
- Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Lane Following Assist
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance with automatic braking
- Safe Exit Assist — prevents doors from opening into oncoming traffic
Higher trims add the Blind-Spot View Monitor that feeds live camera video into the gauge cluster, plus a 360-degree Surround View Monitor. The 2027 upper trims get Highway Driving Assist 2, which executes hands-free lane changes when you tap the turn signal — a meaningful upgrade over the 2025’s system.
Which Kia Telluride Trim Level Should You Actually Buy?
Here’s a quick decision framework:
- Best value for families → 2025 EX or 2027 EX
- Best tech for the money → 2027 SX (dual panoramic display, Meridian audio)
- Best for road trips and fuel savings → 2027 Hybrid EX (FWD, 35 MPG, $46,490)
- Best for light off-roading → 2025 or 2027 EX X-Line
- Best for serious trails and towing → 2025 or 2027 SX X-Pro
- Best luxury buy → 2027 SX Prestige or Hybrid SX-Prestige
- Best of everything → 2027 Hybrid X-Line SX-Prestige with Executive Package
The 2025 still makes a compelling case — the naturally aspirated V6 has a strong long-term reliability track record, and dealers may negotiate more aggressively as the 2027 takes over showroom space. The 2027 wins on technology, efficiency, and interior space — especially if the hybrid’s fuel savings matter to your budget over time.
Either way, the Telluride has held Car and Driver’s 10Best SUV list for six consecutive years. You’re not making a bad choice — just picking the right version of a great one.
