2027 Telluride LX

Where the money went

Kia spent the LX budget on the parts you can't add later. The turbocharged engine and eight-speed automatic are identical to the ones in the $56,790 flagship. The crash structure, the full airbag count including a front-center bag and second-row side bags, and every one of the 19 standard assistance features — Highway Driving Assist, smart cruise with stop-and-go, blind-spot warning, Safe Exit Assist, the radar-based rear-occupant alert that matters enormously to parents — carry over untouched. So does the entire infotainment stack. A family in the third row of an LX is exactly as protected and exactly as entertained as one in a Prestige.

The bench second row is the quiet advantage. With seating for eight, the LX matches the biggest carpool capacity in the lineup — several pricier trims trade the middle seat for captain's chairs and drop to seven.

What the LX asks you to live without

Three things, honestly stated. First, all-wheel drive isn't available at this price; the LX is front-drive only, which most Ocean County driveways can genuinely accept — this is flat, well-plowed country, and the EPA rewards you with 20 city / 26 highway. Second, convenience power: manual driver's seat, manual liftgate, no heated anything. Third, the sunroof and 20-inch wheels start one rung up. If any of those are dealbreakers, the S guide covers the $2,900 walk; if none are, the LX is the value verdict of the whole range.

Who ends up in an LX

First-time three-row buyers stretching from a Sportage or Sorento. Families who'd rather bank the difference against Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and the college fund. Shore landlords who need eight seats for the rental-season shuttle. It's also the trim that makes the strongest lease case at the entry point — the pricing guide explains why staying under New Jersey's $45,000 surcharge line has a small bonus attached.

Frequently asked questions

What does the 2027 Telluride LX cost?

$39,190 MSRP plus the $1,545 destination charge, before New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax and fees. It's the only 2027 Telluride that starts with a three — and check current specials before assuming sticker.

Can I get the LX with all-wheel drive or as a hybrid?

Neither — AWD starts on the S ($2,000 on that trim), and the hybrid starts on the EX. The LX is the gas FWD proposition, which is also why it holds the price floor.

Does the LX seat eight?

Yes. The 60/40 bench second row gives the LX eight seats, with one-touch tilt-and-slide access to the third row. It's one of only two trims in the lineup with the bench standard.

Is the LX missing any safety features?

Nothing meaningful. All 19 standard driver-assistance systems and the full airbag suite are trim-independent. Upper trims add camera conveniences — surround view, the blind-spot camera feed — not core protection.

Where can I see one?

Check live LX inventory at Manahawkin Kia on Route 72, and if the exact color isn't on the lot the team can flag an inbound unit.

The bottom line

The LX is the same new Telluride underneath — same turbo, same screens, same safety file — at the one price point that undercuts $40,000. If your family needs seats and safety more than it needs a power liftgate, this is the smart-money build on the Route 72 lot.