I recently reviewed and loved the 2026 Range Rover. Sleek style, all-road capability and a timber-strewn interior literally fit for royalty earned props – as did the V8 engine and air suspension. Leather smelled blissful. Its tall cabin, flush windows and retractable door handles added distinction. It also cost over $150,000. Let’s see if we can find 85% of a Range Rover for one-third the price. Maybe something like the redesigned 2027 Kia Telluride.

Tellurides always had a formal British look, but designers nailed this one. From its wide hood, LED headlamps, flush bodysides with retracting handles, and streamlined rear windowline, there’s a lot of Range Rover in the forms and proportions. But, there’s also a lot of Kia in our X-Pro’s black grille, 18-inch black wheels with all-terrain tires and Terrain Brown Matte paint. Little flourishes like the rectangular accents above the wheelwells, sculpted creased fenders and flush vertical taillamps show an immense attention to details.

I’d like to tell you the cabin is filled with the scent of sweet cowhide and varnished veneers like a Range Rover, but it’s not. Synthetic SynTex sueded seats and engineered natural grain wood look and feel appropriate while being easy to wash down after baby girggles and hiking muck soil them. Sueded headliners add a sense of panache.

It’s a pretty luxurious place to ride, even in the third row or middle row captain’s chairs with stretch-out legroom, window shades, USB charging ports and its own roof-mounted climate controls.

Dual 12.3-inch screens provide infotainment, dual wireless charging pads charge phones and dual sunroofs bring in the light. Front- and middle-row passengers enjoy heated and ventilated captain’s chairs. The volume roller works, but I’d prefer proper volume and tuning knobs. A heated squircle steering wheel spoils drivers while the Meridian premium audio sounds nearly as good as the brand’s systems for Rolls-Royce and Genesis.

If you’re hoping for the Range Rover’s twin-turbo V8 engine, you’ll be sorely sore until you get over it.

We mortals can make due with our Telluride’s sprightly turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 274 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque. Will it launch the big wagon 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds like the Range Rover? Uh, no, but it does achieve 17/22-MPG city/highway, helped by the crisp eight-speed automatic transmission. Tow up to 5,000 lbs. Fuel economy isn’t great, but optional hybrids achieve 34/36-MPG city/highway.

You can also forget about the big Brit’s wafty air suspension, but you’ll hardly miss it as the four-wheel independent suspension with fat all-terrain tires and ample wheel travel soaks up rough city streets, long highways and fairly rugged trails with equal aplomb. The self-leveling air suspension compensates for heavy loads – whether a trailer or full contingent of gear and peeps riding inside.

Safety remains a Kia priority with the Telluride listing automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and rear auto braking among its talents. The rear camera mirror and side exit assist that prevents kiddos from stepping into traffic are appreciated additions. Drivers enjoy a proper head-up display to keep eyes focused ahead. One can even remote park the Telluride into tight garages from the key fob.

So, did we get 85% of a Range Rover at one-third the price? Well, the redesigned Telluride starts at just $39,190, rising to $59,580 for our well-equipped X-Pro. No bad! If you must compare others, consider the Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander and Volkswagen Atlas.

Storm Forward!

Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.