Kia America has dropped an intriguing teaser ahead of the full reveal of the 2027 Kia Telluride. With just weeks until its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show (scheduled for November 20, 2025) the automaker has unveiled a camouflaged pre-production model wrapped in a unique full-body vinyl design.
Rather than hiding the vehicle in plain black sheets or loose wraps, Kia’s wrap uses artistic cues and design sketches to both obscure and celebrate the shape beneath.
What’s Unique About the Camouflage Wrap
- Developed by the Kia Design Center America (KDCA), the wrap draws inspiration from the hundreds of sketches and conceptual drawings that gave birth to the Telluride’s form.
- Rather than just hiding the body lines, the design uses intersecting outlines of the vehicle from different angles, overlapping, to create a visually interesting camouflage motif.
- The color scheme is also symbolic: a gradient shift from orange at the front through to purple at the rear, a warm-to-cool progression meant to tie in with design cues (front amber DRLs/lighting, etc).
- Easter-egg detail: Coordinates “37.9375° N, 107.8123° W” printed along lower door edges reference the real town of Telluride, Colorado — giving a clever nod to the model’s namesake.
Showcasing Capability: Not Just Looks
Kia didn’t merely show the wrap in a studio. The camouflaged Telluride was taken into the real world — specifically shot in the rugged terrain of the Alabama Hills (in California’s high desert) with the Sierra Nevada in the background.
In the video, the SUV tackles off-road challenges: steep inclines, sandy washes, water crossings, rocky outcrops, underscoring that the new Telluride is meant to deliver more than just road-presence.
According to Kia America’s marketing VP, the aim was to “place the Telluride in an environment that really pushed the boundaries” rather than simply show a parked camo vehicle.
Kia references its “Opposites United” design language as a guiding idea behind the wrap and the vehicle beneath. The philosophy blends contrasting elements (bold vs refined, sculptural vs geometric) to create a dynamic identity.
By applying that philosophy even to the camouflage wrap, Kia signals that the upcoming Telluride will carry design evolution, likely more refined, more purposeful, while retaining the SUV’s strong presence. Early commentary from third-party outlets suggests a more chiseled and muscular new form, while retaining the blocky, upright premium SUV aesthetic.
The 2027 Telluride is clearly being positioned as more than a simple refresh. It feels like a full next-generation step, with design, capability, and identity all getting attention. The emphasis on off-road terrain and rugged environments suggests Kia is reinforcing the Telluride’s adventurer-/outdoors-capable credentials, which is valuable given its three-row SUV competition and outdoor lifestyle appeal. The artistic and thoughtful approach to the teaser wrap hints that Kia is proud of the design process, wants to build excitement, and possibly elevate the Telluride’s image toward premium SUV territory. For those considering a Telluride purchase (now or in future model years), this suggests waiting to see the full reveal might be wise — as the 2027 model could bring meaningful updates.
Kia’s reveal of a custom-wrapped, camouflaged 2027 Telluride isn’t just about hiding something, it’s about making a statement. With its creative wrap, real-world off-road footage, and design philosophy backing, the new Telluride appears ready to raise the bar for Kia’s flagship SUV. We’ll get the full picture on November 20 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but the teaser has already signaled big ambition.
