Kia Telluride X-Pro Review: I Drove It Off-Road – Here’s the Truth

Last month, Kia handed me the keys to a 2027 Telluride X-Pro SX-Prestige and told me to go beat it up. So I did.

I took it through rutted fire roads outside Santa Barbara. I drove it through mud pits that would swallow a sedan. I even found a creek crossing that had water up to the door sills. Then I drove it home, parked it in my driveway, and lived with it for a full week like a normal human being. Grocery runs. School drop-offs. Highway commutes. The whole deal.

After 23 years turning wrenches and test-driving everything from beat-up work trucks to six-figure German SUVs, I can tell you this: the 2027 Telluride X-Pro is not an update. It’s a complete reset.

And it’s got some surprises under that boxy hood.

What You’re Actually Paying For (Real Prices)

Let’s get the money talk out of the way first. Because Kia skipped the 2026 model year entirely and jumped straight to 2027. That means this is a brand-new generation, and the price reflects it.

The X-Pro SX-Prestige I tested rings in at **$58,335**. That’s a chunk of change. But here’s the thing—dealership markups are finally starting to fade. I’ve seen reports of buyers getting $3,000 below MSRP on gas models and $1,000 off hybrids. If you’ve been waiting for the Telluride hype to cool down, this might be your window.

Compared to the competition:

The Telluride still undercuts the Honda Pilot and Chevy Traverse. But it’s no longer the screaming bargain it once was. You’re paying for the upgrades—and there are plenty.

What’s Under the Hood (And Why It Matters)

Here’s the biggest change that’ll have traditionalists scratching their heads.

The old 3.8-liter V6 is dead. Gone. Kaput.

In its place is a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four making 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That’s 17 fewer horses than the old V6 but a massive 49 more lb-ft of torque. And that torque hits low—at just 1,700 RPM.

What does that mean in real-world driving?

You feel it. The X-Pro pulls hard off the line. Merging onto the highway? No problem. Passing a slow-moving truck on a two-lane road? The eight-speed automatic kicks down smoothly and you’re gone.

But there’s a trade-off. The gas mileage isn’t stellar.

The hybrid, on the other hand, is rated for up to 35 mpg combined. But here’s the kicker—the X-Pro trim does not get the hybrid powertrain. If you want the rugged off-road package, you’re stuck with the turbo four and its 19 mpg average.

That’s not great. My old Toyota Highlander V6 did better. But if you’re buying an X-Pro, you’re not buying it for fuel economy. You’re buying it for what it can do off the pavement.

Off-Road: Where This Thing Actually Shines

I’m going to be honest with you. When Kia first told me they wanted me to take a three-row family SUV off-roading, I rolled my eyes. I’ve driven enough “rugged” crossovers that couldn’t handle a gravel driveway.

The Telluride X-Pro is different.

Here’s what Kia did to make this thing trail-worthy:

• 9.1 inches of ground clearance – That’s a full 1.7 inches more than the standard Telluride. For comparison, the standard model sits at 7.4 inches.
• Electronic limited-slip differential – This sends power to the wheels that actually have traction.
• All-terrain tires – 255/60R-18 Continental CrossContacts on 18-inch wheels. More sidewall means more cushioning over rocks and roots.
• Front and rear recovery points – Brightly colored tow hooks that are actually functional, not just decorative.
• Terrain drive modes – Snow, Mud, and Sand settings that adjust throttle response and traction control.

I put it through the wringer.

I drove the X-Pro through a Kia-prepped off-road course near Porter Ranch, California. Mud pits. Articulation sections where two wheels—one front, one rear—were completely off the ground. Steep hill climbs with loose gravel.

The X-Pro scampered up those hills without breaking a sweat. The rear e-LSD kept power flowing even when wheels were in the air. And the hill descent control handled the big 4,736-pound curb weight without drama.

Here’s a stat that blew my mind: The Telluride X-Pro has a wading depth of 38.6 inches.

That’s deeper than a Land Rover Defender 110 (35.4 inches) and a Ford Bronco Raptor (37.0 inches). Let that sink in. A Kia family hauler can cross deeper water than two of the most capable off-road machines on the market.

Now, I’m not saying you should take your Telluride to Moab and start rock-crawling. It’s still a unibody SUV with a 116.9-inch wheelbase. It’s not a Jeep Wrangler. But for forest roads, muddy campground access, winter dirt roads, and the occasional creek crossing? This thing is legit.

On-road ride quality? Surprisingly composed. The suspension smooths out gravel and broken pavement without drama. Road noise from those all-terrain tires is minimal—I didn’t notice any significant drone on the highway. The steering isn’t super communicative, but it’s precise enough for a vehicle this size.

The Interior: Where Kia Gets It Right

Step inside the X-Pro SX-Prestige, and you might forget you’re in a Kia.

The dashboard features dual 12.3-inch curved displays – one for the instrument cluster, one for infotainment. They wrap around the driver in a way that feels premium. Way more premium than the price tag suggests.

Physical climate buttons remain. Thank goodness. I’m tired of automakers burying everything in touchscreens. Kia kept real knobs and buttons for the important stuff.

The center console has twin wireless charging pads. They moved the gear selector to the steering column to free up space. Smart packaging.

Seating configuration: Seven seats standard. The second row gets heated and ventilated seats on the top trims. Third row? I’m 6-foot-1 and I wouldn’t want to spend hours back there, but for short trips, it’s fine.

Cargo space:

• Behind third row: 22.3 cubic feet
• Third row folded: 48.7 cubic feet
• Both rows folded: 89.3 cubic feet

The hybrid model actually gets slightly more cargo space—about 1.4 cubic feet extra, plus an underfloor storage compartment the gas model doesn’t get.

Material quality is excellent. The X-Pro gets a forged carbon fiber trim that looks convincing. Color combinations like “Blackberry and Sand Beige” sound weird but look great in person.

What I Disliked (Because Nothing’s Perfect)

I’m not here to shill for Kia. Here’s what annoyed me.

1. The fuel economy is rough. 19 mpg combined for a 4-cylinder is not impressive. My old V6 Highlander did better. If you’re doing a lot of highway miles, the hybrid (if you skip the X-Pro) is the smarter play.

2. It’s slower than the old model. Car and Driver clocked the 0-60 at 7.4 seconds. That’s a full second slower than some competitors. The torque makes it feel peppy around town, but at higher speeds, you feel the missing horsepower.

3. Third row is still tight. Yes, the wheelbase is stretched by 2.7 inches. Yes, the second row is roomier. But the third row is still best left for kids or short trips.

4. The price creep is real. At $58,335 for the top X-Pro, you’re knocking on the door of luxury brands. A base BMW X5 starts around $65,000. The gap is narrowing.

5. No hybrid for the X-Pro. If you want the off-road goodies, you’re stuck with the gas engine. That’s a bummer.

How It Stacks Up Against the Competition

The Telluride X-Pro wins on ground clearance and wading depth. It loses on horsepower and price. The Palisade is cheaper and has a V6. The Explorer Timberline has more power.

But here’s the thing—the Telluride X-Pro won the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s Mudfest award for best three-row SUV. It beat the Palisade XRT Pro, the Honda Pilot Elite, and the Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition. The judges praised its “calm, well-rounded competence”.

My Personal Pro-Tip Box: Skip the Cheap Tires

If you buy an X-Pro, you’re getting the Continental CrossContact all-terrain tires from the factory. They’re good tires. But here’s what I’d do.

When those tires wear out (and they will, because all-terrains don’t last as long as highway tires), replace them with BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A or Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail. Both are quieter on the highway and just as capable off-road. I’ve run both on my personal truck and they’re a noticeable upgrade.

Also, if you’re doing serious off-roading, invest in a full-size spare. The X-Pro comes with a temporary spare. That’s fine for pavement, but if you’re 20 miles down a forest road with a flat, you don’t want to be limping out on a donut.

When to Buy the X-Pro (And When to Skip It)

Buy the X-Pro if:

• You actually go off-road. Forest roads. Camping. Ski trips in bad weather.
• You want the rugged look and don’t care about fuel economy.
• You need three rows but want genuine off-road capability.
• You’re willing to pay extra for the best-in-class ground clearance and wading depth.

Skip the X-Pro if:

• You never leave the pavement. The EX or SX trims will save you money and give you better fuel economy.
• You care about acceleration. The X-Pro is not fast.
• You want a hybrid. The X-Pro doesn’t offer one.
• You’re on a tight budget. The base LX starts at $40,735 and is still a great SUV.

The Bottom Line

The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro is the most capable three-row family SUV you can buy right now. Period.

It’s not the fastest. It’s not the most fuel-efficient. It’s not the cheapest.

But if you need to haul seven people and their gear to a remote campsite, through a creek, up a muddy hill, and back home again without breaking a sweat? This is your vehicle.

Kia took a gamble dropping the V6 for a turbo four. They made the right call. The torque is there when you need it. The off-road hardware is legit. The interior feels like it belongs in a vehicle costing $10,000 more.

At $58,335 for the top X-Pro SX-Prestige, it’s not the bargain it once was. But it’s still a hell of a lot of SUV for the money.

Would I buy one? Yeah. I would. And I’m picky.