Pricing for Kia’s 2027 hybrid-electric Telluride dropped last week, adding to a list of announcements the automaker pushed out ahead of the weekend.
Per the announcements: Kia’s first-ever Telluride HEV will start just under $47,000, with the EX FWD carrying a starting MSRP of $46,490 (excluding $1,545 destination).
With this move, Kia says it’s targeting what “savvy SUV buyers really want,” per Eric Watson, VP of Sales at Kia America.
In their eyes, this means new tech, a seven-passenger layout, strong performance, and better fuel economy.
Breaking down pricing further, the hybrid lineup looks like this (MSRP, excluding destination):
EX FWD — $46,490
EX AWD — $48,490
SX FWD — $51,490
X-Line SX AWD — $54,490
SX-Prestige AWD — $56,590
X-Line SX-Prestige AWD — $57,590
In short: At its cheapest, the HEV lands squarely in the mid-$40Ks. And from there, it steps up through the low- and mid-$50Ks, topping out just under $58K.
This effectively places the Telluride HEV in the same price band where most well-equipped three-row SUVs are already transacting.
In other words, this is more about adding a hybrid option to an already strong, higher-trim Telluride business than chasing the entry-level hybrid shopper.
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Between the lines: The 2027 Telluride HEV will be assembled at Kia’s West Point, Georgia, plant.
That makes it Kia’s first U.S.-assembled hybrid, and the first hybrid vehicle ever produced in the state of Georgia, according to Kia, which could help reduce exposure to import-related costs and trade volatility.
SeungKyu Yoon, president and CEO at Kia North America and Kia U.S., added on LinkedIn, “Beginning hybrid assembly in West Point is another important step. It reflects how our industry is evolving and our commitment to offering customers meaningful choices across hybrid, electric, and internal combustion powertrains.”
Bottom line: While rising vehicle prices remain a real concern for many consumers, there remains a sizable pool of higher-income buyers shopping for three-row SUVs in the $50K range. The Telluride HEV is clearly aimed at them, and with production landing in Georgia, the brand is better positioned to offer dealers a steady flow of inventory if demand materializes.
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