Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
If you’ve been following the 2027 Kia Telluride, you may have noticed one major change that has sparked discussion among SUV buyers and Telluride owners alike: the naturally aspirated V6 engine is gone. In this video, I share what happened behind the scenes at a special Kia Telluride media drive event in Santa Barbara, California, where journalists were invited to test the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid and the Telluride X-Pro off-road model. During the event, I sat down with Sang Lee, Product Planning National Manager at Kia America, and asked the question many owners are asking: Why did Kia remove the V6 engine that helped make the Telluride so popular?
Lee’s answer reveals the engineering and regulatory reasons behind Kia’s decision. He explains how the new 2.5-liter turbocharged GTDI engine produces significantly more low-RPM torque than the old V6, delivering 311 lb-ft at 1700 RPM compared with 262 lb-ft at 5200 RPM. In this discussion, we break down why torque matters in a three-row family SUV, how the turbocharged four-cylinder Telluride engine works, and why many automakers are transitioning away from larger naturally aspirated engines in today’s midsize SUV segment.
Another key factor is emissions regulations. In the video we explain what ACC2 SULEV 30 emissions compliance means and why stricter standards are pushing automakers to redesign powertrains. If you’re researching the 2027 Kia Telluride engine, Telluride turbo vs V6, or the future of midsize SUVs, this conversation provides insight directly from Kia’s product planning team. We also discuss how the new Telluride is heavier than before and why additional torque was needed to move the vehicle more efficiently.
If you currently own a Kia Telluride, are considering buying the next-generation 2027 Telluride, or are simply interested in how the SUV market is evolving, this video explains the strategy behind Kia’s decision in clear terms. Watch to hear the full explanation, see what this change could mean for Telluride reliability, performance, and fuel efficiency, and share your opinion. Would you still buy the Telluride without the V6 engine, or do you think Kia should have kept it as an option? Let me know your experience in the comments.
Reference from Torque News: Kia's Product Planning chief sat down with us in Santa Barbara, and revealed the unexpected data proving the V6 was technically defeated by the 2027 Kia Telluride engine that delivers more torque at less than a third of the RPMs and isn't coming back.
torquenews.com/1/kia-explains-why-v6-gone-good-2027-telluride
This is Armen Hareyan from Torque News. Please follow us at twitter.com/torquenewsauto on Twitter and torquenews.com for daily automotive news. Also, follow us on Telegram at https://t.me/teslaev
If you’ve been following the 2027 Kia Telluride, you may have noticed one major change that has sparked discussion among SUV buyers and Telluride owners alike: the naturally aspirated V6 engine is gone. In this video, I share what happened behind the scenes at a special Kia Telluride media drive event in Santa Barbara, California, where journalists were invited to test the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid and the Telluride X-Pro off-road model. During the event, I sat down with Sang Lee, Product Planning National Manager at Kia America, and asked the question many owners are asking: Why did Kia remove the V6 engine that helped make the Telluride so popular?
Lee’s answer reveals the engineering and regulatory reasons behind Kia’s decision. He explains how the new 2.5-liter turbocharged GTDI engine produces significantly more low-RPM torque than the old V6, delivering 311 lb-ft at 1700 RPM compared with 262 lb-ft at 5200 RPM. In this discussion, we break down why torque matters in a three-row family SUV, how the turbocharged four-cylinder Telluride engine works, and why many automakers are transitioning away from larger naturally aspirated engines in today’s midsize SUV segment.
Another key factor is emissions regulations. In the video we explain what ACC2 SULEV 30 emissions compliance means and why stricter standards are pushing automakers to redesign powertrains. If you’re researching the 2027 Kia Telluride engine, Telluride turbo vs V6, or the future of midsize SUVs, this conversation provides insight directly from Kia’s product planning team. We also discuss how the new Telluride is heavier than before and why additional torque was needed to move the vehicle more efficiently.
If you currently own a Kia Telluride, are considering buying the next-generation 2027 Telluride, or are simply interested in how the SUV market is evolving, this video explains the strategy behind Kia’s decision in clear terms. Watch to hear the full explanation, see what this change could mean for Telluride reliability, performance, and fuel efficiency, and share your opinion. Would you still buy the Telluride without the V6 engine, or do you think Kia should have kept it as an option? Let me know your experience in the comments.
Reference from Torque News: Kia's Product Planning chief sat down with us in Santa Barbara, and revealed the unexpected data proving the V6 was technically defeated by the 2027 Kia Telluride engine that delivers more torque at less than a third of the RPMs and isn't coming back.
torquenews.com/1/kia-explains-why-v6-gone-good-2027-telluride
This is Armen Hareyan from Torque News. Please follow us at twitter.com/torquenewsauto on Twitter and torquenews.com for daily automotive news. Also, follow us on Telegram at https://t.me/teslaev
