Kia fortifies lineup with new Telluride SUV, sporty compact hatchback

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- There's a new look for Kia's family-size Telluride, which is new under the skin as well. If you squint, you can see a bit of Range Rover in its sleek but somewhat blocky shape.

The prior generation, launched in 2019, was a big hit for the brand. Dealers couldn't keep the Telluride in stock at first, as it hit all the right notes for buyers looking for three rows of seats in something that was large, but not too large.

Now, the new generation Telluride is here as a 2027 model. Following the industry trend, a larger infotainment screen front and center inside. And new this time around, upgrades for the X-Pro variant for a bit more off-road capability.

The X-Pro also looks the part with things like brightly-colored recovery hooks, the kind of little touches that could also appeal to people who may never actually leave the pavement. Base prices for the new Telluride range from $39,190 to $57,590.

There's news on the engine front as well: no more V6. Instead, another industry trend: four cylinders, turbocharged, making 274 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque, a big increase in the latter compared to the V6 in the previous Telluride. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard.

Like most mainstream vehicles, with the Telluride, Kia offers a variety of price ranges and trim levels. And for the first time you can get something else in a Telluride: hybrid power. Yet another industry trend.

EPA fuel economy estimates for the Telluride Turbo Hybrid are impressive: up to 35 mpg combined for the EX two-wheel drive, which starts at $46,490. In a year of volatile pump prices, more buyers may be looking for numbers like that.

Speaking of being good on gas, another new entry from Kia this year, and a bit of a surprise. The compact K4 is now available as a hatchback, something not too common anymore.

Kia may be trying to lure buyers who have been priced out of VW's GTI, a bit of a hot hatch legend. The K4 GT-Line Turbo (base price $28,890) is the most fun to drive, with a 1.6-liter turbo engine delivering 190 horsepower, and a special sport suspension on 18" wheels. This sporty compact is quite practical too, thanks to the hatch and impressive cargo area. The K4 Hatchback could hit the sweet spot for young buyers not interested in an SUV.

But for a different demographic, the new Telluride hits most of the right notes, much like the prior generation. Lots of competition in the segment, but if past performance on the sales charts is any indication, Kia's likely to remain on a roll in the three-row SUV arena.