2027 Telluride EX

Leatherette, and the bench seat comes back

The EX's interior jump is real: full SynTex synthetic leather seating replaces the S's cloth, the front seats gain ventilation on top of heating, and the driver's seat adds a 4-way power lumbar adjustment. Outside, power-folding mirrors and acoustic front door glass quiet the cabin down. And for families who need the extra seat, the EX brings back the 8-passenger bench second row that the LX has and the S gives up — so if you liked the S's comfort features but needed one more seatbelt, the EX is the trim built for exactly that.

Where the Hybrid option starts

This is the lowest trim where Kia offers the new Telluride Hybrid, and it's a meaningful addition to the lineup — the old-generation Telluride never had one. The hybrid EX pairs the same 2.5-liter turbo four with a 1.65-kWh battery and electric motors for a combined 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft, running through a 6-speed automatic instead of the gas engine's 8-speed. Fuel economy is the real draw: 33 mpg combined on the standard front-drive hybrid, and up to 35 combined on the specific "FE" configuration (EX FWD on 18-inch wheels). All-wheel-drive hybrid EX models rate 31 combined. The hybrid EX starts at $46,490 FWD or $48,490 AWD — roughly $2,700 over the equivalent gas EX — which for a family doing real highway miles can pay itself back in fuel savings over a few years of ownership.

Gas or hybrid — how to actually decide

If your Telluride is mostly a weekend and errands vehicle with modest annual mileage, the gas EX's lower purchase price is hard to beat, and 274 hp with 311 lb-ft is plenty for merging onto the Parkway loaded with a family and gear. If you're commuting daily, driving long distances to see family, or simply plan to keep the vehicle a long time and want the lowest running cost, the hybrid's 33+ mpg combined against the gas engine's 20-22 combined adds up fast — potentially thousands of dollars in fuel over a typical ownership period. It's worth running both numbers against your actual annual mileage before deciding.

What EX buyers say

The EX is a common landing spot for Telluride shoppers weighing exactly this leather-vs-bench-seat trade, and DiFeo Kia's reviews reflect real families making that call. "our sales person Simon was excellent in providing us information about our 2025 Kia Telluride and was able to find an alternate vehicle in the style and color that we wanted" — James C. And a repeat customer who came back specifically for an EX X-Line build: "we returned to upgrade our older telluride and just got the 2025 telluride ex xline from Vito and as always his service was amazing and we will always come back to him!!" — Raymond F.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the 2027 Kia Telluride EX?

$43,790 MSRP front-wheel drive, $45,790 all-wheel drive, plus $1,545 destination. The hybrid EX runs $46,490 (FWD) or $48,490 (AWD). Current pricing and offers are on the specials page.

Does the EX seat 7 or 8?

Eight, on the gas EX — it's one of only two trims (with the LX) that keeps the traditional bench second row. Kia markets the Hybrid EX in a 7-passenger captain's-chair configuration, so if both the hybrid powertrain and the 8th seat matter to you, confirm the exact build before you commit.

Is the Telluride Hybrid worth the extra cost over the gas EX?

It depends on your mileage. The hybrid costs roughly $2,700 more up front but nearly doubles the combined fuel economy — 33-35 mpg versus 20-22. High-mileage drivers and long-term owners tend to come out ahead; low-mileage weekend drivers may never fully recoup the difference.

What's the real-world driving range on the Telluride Hybrid?

Kia estimates roughly 637 miles of total driving range on the top-efficiency EX FWD hybrid configuration, based on combined EPA figures — a real advantage over the gas engine's tank range for anyone doing long highway stretches without wanting to stop for fuel.

What makes the EX different from the X-Line EX?

The X-Line EX adds standard all-wheel drive, a self-leveling rear suspension, 21-inch wheels, and rugged X-Line styling on top of the regular EX's feature set — for buyers who want the EX's comfort level with more standard capability. See the X-Line EX guide for the full comparison.

The bottom line on the EX

The EX is the trim where the new Telluride becomes genuinely upscale and, for the first time in the model's history, offers a hybrid — all while keeping the 8-seat bench for families who need it. It's a strong middle-of-the-lineup pick either way you power it. See current EX inventory or schedule a test drive to compare gas and hybrid back to back.