Tom Kearns, Head of Design at Kia Design Center America, has been waiting a while to show off the new 2027 Kia Telluride. The team wrapped up the design some time ago, thanks to the long lead times in the auto world. Now that it’s ready for the public, the excitement is building to hear what buyers think. The original Telluride won over a lot of fans with its straightforward, boxy look. Kearns wanted to build on that without starting over.
“We’ve taken what people loved about the original, which is sort of this big old boxy SUV with not a lot of ornamentation on it. Very simple, very clean,” said Kearns. That simplicity brings a certain sophistication, and the team kept it intact. But they also added fresh ideas from Kia’s Opposites United philosophy, mixing in some surprises.
Balancing Familiarity With New Ideas
Redesigning a hit like the Telluride was tougher than creating the first one. With the original, the designers had a blank slate. This time, they had to respect what worked while pushing forward. Kearns points to the body side as a key spot for change. Above the wheels, there are diamond shapes with crisp edges that flow into a small rectangular area. The rest of the body stays soft and full of volume.
“These sort of diamond shapes have hard kind of crisp edges. And they land right at this mechanical little rectangle that is sort of unexpected.”
– Tom Kearns, Head of Design, Kia Design Center America
The contrast between sharp details and rounded forms is what Opposites United is all about. It keeps the Telluride recognizable but adds personality that stands out on the road.
Lighting Takes Center Stage
Lighting has become a big focus for Kia. Kearns says lights are now the face of a car, especially with many models skipping traditional grilles. Electric vehicles don’t even need a grille and often have a flat piece of sheet metal instead of an eye-catching grille design. Where in the past, you could spot a brand by its grille shape, now it’s the lights that do the job.
“We spent a lot of time on that. It’s the first thing you see down the road when it’s coming at you.”
– Tom Kearns, Head of Design, Kia Design Center America
The team went through at least 50 versions of the new Telluride lighting to get it right. That’s far more effort than they would have put in a decade ago. Today, lights need to be bold and brand-specific without overpowering other elements of the design.
An Integrated Front Design That Stands Out
The front breaks with custom by combining the headlights and grille into a single element. This creates a unified look that highlights the amber daytime running lights against gloss black. It makes the lights pop while keeping everything cohesive, making the Kia identity easy to spot from a distance without separate pieces competing for attention.
“That gloss black background with the amber lights on top of it is strong and stands out.”
– Tom Kearns, Head of Design, Kia Design Center America
The result is a face that’s distinctive and modern. It works with the boxy shape to give the Telluride a confident presence on any road. It’s a departure from the original design without going so far as to be unrecognizable as a Telluride.
Rear Design Holds Its Own
The back of the Telluride gets just as much attention. It might seem like a far easier design task, but elements like the liftgate and license plate add challenges not found up front.
“I have to say the rear of a vehicle is super important too. Because if you’re in traffic and you’re driving your car, you’re looking at the rear of other cars for a long time.”
– Tom Kearns, Head of Design, Kia Design Center America
It’s about making it appealing not just to the person who owns a Telluride, but to everyone creeping along next to it in traffic. The design avoids being boring with lights and shapes that carry through from the front for a cohesive look that works from any angle.
Details That Stand Out
While Kearns is proud of the overall design of the new Telluride, the diamond shapes on the sides of the wheels are a favorite feature. They were a risk, and he admits to feeling nervous about whether they would land well. In person, but they add character without being overdone or out of place. They tie into the overall theme of clean lines with unexpected touches.
“I’ve never seen a car, any car, do that before. We’re trying something new, pushing the envelope.”
– Tom Kearns, Head of Design, Kia Design Center America
The 2027 Telluride aims to keep loyal owners happy while drawing in new ones. It sticks to the boxy, no-nonsense style that made the original popular, with an updated feel. Buyers get a vehicle that is familiar yet fresh, with details that catch the eye in traffic or in the driveway. It’s a design that honors the original while looking to the future of the Kia brand.