The second-generation Kia Telluride is arriving with a bigger footprint, a more upscale cabin, and a price tag that finally starts with a four. For the first time, the family hauler’s base model now crests $40,000, signaling how far this once value-focused SUV has climbed in both ambition and cost. The question for shoppers is whether the added space, tech, and refinement are enough to justify the higher monthly payment.
Sticker shock: how the 2027 Telluride crossed $40,000
Kia’s own pricing sheet sets the tone for the new era. The company highlights a $39,190 M figure as the official entry point, describing the 2027 Telluride (ICE) as a larger, more stylish SUV that still leans on value. That $39,190 number, before destination and fees, effectively positions the Telluride at the edge of the $40,000 threshold on paper while acknowledging that real-world transaction prices will land higher once mandatory charges are added. The language around the Starting price and MSRP underlines how carefully Kia is framing the jump, especially as the redesigned Telluride moves further from its budget-friendly roots.
Independent pricing breakdowns make clear that shoppers will actually pay more than that headline figure. Detailed configuration guides describe a completely redesigned 2027 model with new styling, a fresh interior, and more space, and they peg the real-world base at just over the psychological line, with the Kia Telluride now starting above $40,000 once destination is factored in. That aligns with reporting that the 2027 Kia Telluride Price Starts over $40,000 for the First Time, a shift that reflects both inflation and the model’s move upmarket. After the runaway success of the first generation, the brand is clearly confident that buyers will follow it into higher price territory, even as the ICE version remains the volume play.
What buyers get for the higher MSRP
The jump past $40,000 would be harder to swallow if the 2027 model were a simple refresh, but the redesign is more comprehensive than that. The latest Telluride adopts new exterior sheetmetal, a reworked cabin, and packaging that carves out more passenger and cargo room, all of which are highlighted in pricing rundowns that describe it as Completely redesigned with a new interior and more space. Those changes push the SUV closer to premium territory, particularly in upper trims that layer in larger screens, upgraded materials, and expanded driver assistance coverage, building on the safety and comfort pitch that Kia has leaned on since the first generation.
Even so, the raw numbers will give some shoppers pause. Analyses of the new lineup note that the 2027 Telluride now carries a starting price of $40,735, which is $2,850 m higher than the outgoing model, a $2,850 increase that will be felt in every lease and finance quote. Yet those same reports argue that the SUV is still priced aggressively against similarly equipped rivals, especially when factoring in standard features that competitors often reserve for option packages. But the value narrative now depends less on a bargain-basement entry price and more on how much equipment buyers receive once they are already north of that $40,000 line.
Value perception in a pricier family SUV market
The Telluride’s pricing shift also reflects a broader realignment in three-row crossovers, where once-affordable nameplates are steadily creeping upmarket. Analysts who walk through the 2027 lineup emphasize that the model’s new size and feature set are designed to keep it competitive as rivals add their own tech and safety upgrades, a point underscored in Key Points that highlight the larger body and upcoming variants. In that context, the Telluride’s move past $40,000 looks less like an outlier and more like a reflection of where mainstream family SUVs are headed, particularly as brands chase higher-margin trims and more affluent buyers.
For families cross-shopping the segment, the calculus now hinges on whether the Telluride’s richer interior, expanded space, and long list of standard equipment offset the higher monthly cost. The model no longer undercuts the field on price alone, but it still aims to deliver more content for the money than similarly sized competitors, leaning on its reputation for comfort and practicality to justify the premium. As the 2027 generation rolls into showrooms, the real test will be whether shoppers accept that a well-equipped family hauler now starts above $40,000, or whether they begin looking elsewhere for a three-row that still feels like a deal.
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