SHERIDAN, WYOMING – July 19, 2026 – The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro has been named the Best Winter Family Utility Vehicle of New England by the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA), adding another industry award to what has already been a record-breaking run for Kia's flagship three-row SUV. The recognition comes from NEMPA's annual Winter Vehicle Awards program, which evaluates vehicles against the specific demands of New England driving — heavy snowfall, icy roads, and varied terrain across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. For families in the Northeast shopping a three-row SUV, it's a meaningful endorsement from journalists who test in those exact conditions year-round.
What the Award Actually Measures
NEMPA's Winter Vehicle Awards aren't handed out on spec sheets alone. The organization's membership of automotive journalists, content creators, and industry experts evaluates vehicles through extensive testing across all seasons, with particular attention to how a vehicle handles the kind of driving conditions that define daily life in the region. Snow-covered roads, freeze-thaw cycles, and unpredictable weather patterns make New England one of the more rigorous real-world testing environments in the country.
Zane Merva, president of the New England Motor Press Association, noted that the awards reflect performance specific to the region's unique combination of weather, road conditions, and terrain — factors that don't always translate from broader national evaluations.
What Makes the X-Pro the Right Pick for Winter
The Telluride X-Pro is positioned as the off-road and all-weather variant of Kia's flagship SUV, building on the standard Telluride with upgraded multi-terrain capability, enhanced traction technologies, and increased ground clearance. Those additions translate directly to winter confidence — the kind of capability that matters when school runs and grocery trips happen in a foot of snow.
The 2027 generation brings increased capability overall, along with advanced technology, bolder styling, and enhanced passenger comfort compared to its predecessor. Designed and assembled in the United States, it continues Kia's push to have its highest-volume models built domestically. Eric Watson, vice president of sales at Kia America, pointed to the combination of all-wheel-drive capability, technology, and family versatility as the qualities that make the X-Pro well suited to exactly this kind of recognition.
A Model That Keeps Collecting Accolades
The NEMPA award is the latest in a string of recognitions for the redesigned Telluride. Earlier in 2026, the X-Pro was named Favorite Family Vehicle by the Midwest Automotive Media Association at its Spring Rally. The Northwest Automotive Press Association also recognized it as the best three-row family SUV following its annual Mudfest evaluation. Sales performance has matched the critical reception — the Telluride posted five consecutive months of record-breaking sales through May, with June adding another 20 percent year-over-year gain.
For buyers in the market for a three-row SUV that can genuinely handle winter without sacrificing everyday comfort or interior space, that combination of press recognition and sustained consumer demand tells a fairly consistent story.
Mini FAQ
Q: What award did the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro receive from NEMPA? A: It was named the 2026 Best Winter Family Utility Vehicle of New England by the New England Motor Press Association.
Q: Which states are covered by NEMPA's evaluation area? A: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Q: Is the 2027 Telluride assembled in the United States? A: Yes, it is designed and assembled in the US from American and globally sourced parts.
Q: Has the Telluride X-Pro won other awards recently? A: Yes — it was also named Favorite Family Vehicle by the Midwest Automotive Media Association and best three-row family SUV by the Northwest Automotive Press Association in 2026.