The 2027 Kia Telluride is set to make its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 20. Wrapped in a custom camouflage design, Kia reveals a powerful glimpse into the next generation of its flagship SUV — blending art, innovation, and off-road capability.
A New Chapter Begins for Kia’s Flagship SUV
With only weeks remaining before its official global debut, the all-new 2027 Kia Telluride is already turning heads. Kia America has unveiled a series of new teaser images and an action-packed video showing the redesigned SUV tackling rugged terrain — all while cleverly hidden beneath a custom full-body camouflage wrap.
This bold preview follows the dramatic studio teasers released on October 22, building anticipation for the official reveal on November 20 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The video, shot in the stunning Alabama Hills of California, highlights the Telluride’s adventurous spirit, powerful stance, and refined off-road performance.
Design Meets Camouflage: The Art of Concealing Innovation
“Designing a wrap for Telluride is far different than designing the vehicle beneath the vinyl,” explains Tom Kearns, Vice President and Senior Chief Designer at Kia Design Center America (KDCA). Rather than relying on traditional camouflage techniques, Kia’s design team transformed the Telluride’s disguise into an artistic statement.
The wrap’s pattern, inspired by Keith Haring and Mr. Doodle (Sam Cox), incorporates overlapping sketches and outlines from hundreds of early Telluride design concepts. The result is a complex yet harmonious visual that conceals the SUV’s final form while celebrating the creative process that brought it to life.
Kearns adds, “This wrap also ties the beginning and end of the design process together, which is Opposites United in itself.”
“Opposites United”: The Philosophy Behind the 2027 Telluride
The Opposites United design philosophy, first introduced in 2021 by Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design, serves as the foundation for the 2027 Telluride’s aesthetic evolution. Inspired by the contrasts found in nature and humanity, the philosophy blends bold geometric shapes with smooth, sculptural surfaces to evoke strength and serenity.
Its five guiding principles — Bold for Nature, Joy for Reason, Power to Progress, Technology for Life, and Tension for Serenity — are evident in every line and contour of the Telluride’s upcoming design.
A Camouflage of Color and Meaning
Beyond its intricate linework, the camouflage also makes clever use of color. The wrap transitions from orange in the front to purple at the rear, symbolizing the warmth of adventure meeting the calm of exploration. This warm-to-cool gradient aligns with the Telluride’s dynamic personality — bold yet balanced.
Adding to the intrigue, sharp-eyed viewers will spot map coordinates (37.9375° N, 107.8123° W) printed along the lower edge of the SUV’s doors, a subtle nod to the Telluride’s namesake town in Colorado.
Tested in the Wild: Telluride’s Off-Road Credibility
In the teaser video, the camouflaged Telluride is seen conquering the rugged Alabama Hills with the jagged Sierra Nevada mountains in the background. This setting was no accident — it serves as the perfect proving ground to showcase the Telluride’s off-road prowess.
From steep inclines and rocky outcroppings to sandy washes and water crossings, the pre-production SUV demonstrates its confidence in the wild. According to Russell Wager, Vice President of Marketing at Kia America, the goal was to “do something special — to place the Telluride in an environment that really pushed the boundaries.”
Looking Ahead: Global Reveal at the Los Angeles Auto Show
The 2027 Kia Telluride will be fully unveiled on November 20 during the Los Angeles Auto Show, marking the next evolution of Kia’s most celebrated SUV. Expectations are high for upgraded powertrains, enhanced technology, and a refined design that carries forward the Telluride’s award-winning reputation.
As the countdown continues, Kia’s creative teaser campaign — blending art, innovation, and adventure — has already succeeded in setting the stage for one of the most anticipated SUV launches of the decade.
