If you’ve seen a Kia Telluride commercial lately, you might have noticed something interesting. Depending on which ad you caught, you were likely treated to one of two very different, yet equally effective, musical experiences. The new Kia Telluride X-Pro campaign for 2026-2027 is making waves not just for showcasing the vehicle's rugged capability and refined design, but for its masterful and strategic use of music to tell two distinct, compelling stories.
So, what are the background songs in these stunning Kia Telluride ads? The answer depends entirely on whether you're watching the cinematic, epic "Horse Herder" spot or the more lifestyle-focused, energetic "Space for Just in Case" commercial.
The Cinematic Epic: "Horse Herder"
The most recent and visually arresting commercial for the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro is titled "Horse Herder." This spot is a true cinematic masterpiece, filmed on location in a breathtaking, untamed wild landscape. It follows a lone horseman and his herd across plains and through rugged terrain, with the new Telluride X-Pro seamlessly integrating into the scene not as an intruder, but as a natural symbol of power, freedom, and rugged capability. The vehicle looks as much at home in the wilderness as the horses themselves.
You can watch this stunning, cinematic ad in its full glory here:
👉 [Watch: Horse Herder | The 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro (Official Spot)] (
The background music for this commercial is not a pop song or a classic rock hit you'd hear on the radio. It's a sweeping, powerful, and deeply emotional original orchestral score. This epic music, composed specifically for the ad by a talented film composer, serves several crucial and interconnected purposes:
It Elevates the Visuals: The orchestral score immediately gives the commercial a cinematic, film-like quality. It transforms a 60-second advertisement into something that feels like a scene from a major motion picture, instantly elevating the Telluride's perceived prestige and associating it with high art and storytelling.
It Creates Emotional Weight: The swelling strings, the powerful brass fanfares, and the driving percussion underscore the themes of freedom, adventure, and the primal bond between man, machine, and nature. It makes you feel the raw power and refined capability of the X-Pro on a visceral level.
It Focuses on Timeless Capability: The music is timeless and genre-less. It’s not tied to a specific era like the 70s or a particular genre like rock. This makes the message about "go-anywhere" capability feel universal, enduring, and rooted in the vehicle's fundamental DNA.
The Classic Rock Vibe: "Space for Just in Case"
While "Horse Herder" showcases the Telluride's wild, adventurous side, another series of commercials within Kia's broader "Movement That Inspires" campaign focuses on its role in everyday family life and the joy of shared adventures. The most prominent and energetic of these is the "Space for Just in Case" ad, and its soundtrack is an instantly recognizable classic that takes a completely different approach.
This spot features the iconic 1976 hit "Rock'n Me" by the Steve Miller Band. The song's driving rhythm, catchy, sing-along chorus, and lyrics about going from coast to coast are a perfect, almost inevitable, fit for a vehicle that is explicitly built for road trips and family adventures.
You can see this version in action and hear the classic track here:
👉 [Watch: Kia Telluride | "Space for Just in Case"] (
The use of "Rock'n Me" is brilliant for several interconnected reasons:
Instant Energy and Warm Nostalgia: The song is an immediate mood-lifter. Its opening chords create a sense of fun, freedom, and classic American road-tripping nostalgia that instantly appeals to a wide, multi-generational demographic.
Perfect Lyrical Connection: The lyrics about being "from coast to coast" perfectly complement the Telluride's core positioning as a vehicle for exploring the vastness of the country, whether you're heading to the mountains, the beach, or anywhere in between.
Focus on Lifestyle and Joy: Unlike the epic orchestral score, this song focuses squarely on the lifestyle aspect of the Telluride—the pure joy of driving, the fun of being with family and friends, the excitement of the open road and the journey ahead.
A Third Perspective: The "Friends" Version
The "Horse Herder" concept was so visually and emotionally powerful that Kia also released a subtle variant of the commercial, sometimes referred to as the "Friends" version. This spot uses the same stunning cinematography and the powerful horseback premise but shifts the focus slightly to highlight the vehicle's interior comfort, spaciousness, and robust design. It might show the horseman with a companion or focus more intently on the X-Pro's premium features as it navigates the landscape.
👉 [Watch: Horse Herder | Kia Telluride X-Pro (Friends Version)] (
This version masterfully maintains the same epic orchestral score, proving the remarkable versatility of the original music. It can underscore both the solitary, contemplative adventure of the main spot and the shared, social journey of the "Friends" version, all while maintaining a consistent, premium, and emotionally resonant brand feel.
Why Two Different Songs? A Masterclass in Marketing
Using two distinct and powerful musical approaches for the same vehicle is a smart, multi-faceted, and highly effective marketing strategy. It allows Kia to speak authentically to different aspects of the Telluride's complex personality and appeal to the different motivations of its potential customers.
The Orchestral Score (for X-Pro capability and prestige): This music strategically targets the buyer who is drawn to the Telluride's rugged, adventurous, and premium image. It's a powerful statement about what the vehicle can do and the feelings of freedom it can unlock.
"Rock'n Me" (for Telluride lifestyle and family): This music strategically targets the family buyer who sees the Telluride as the perfect vehicle for creating lasting memories. It's a joyful anthem about how the vehicle makes you feel and the experiences it facilitates.
Together, these two musical approaches create a complete, nuanced, and deeply appealing picture of a vehicle that is both incredibly capable in the wild and wonderfully livable for everyday life. It's a vehicle for adventure and a vehicle for family, and the music tells you both stories with equal power.
Conclusion
So, the next time you see a Kia Telluride commercial, don't just watch—listen closely. The background song will tell you exactly which story Kia is telling and which part of the Telluride's soul they are highlighting.
If you hear a sweeping, emotional epic orchestral score, you're watching the "Horse Herder" campaign, focused on the rugged capability, adventurous spirit, and timeless prestige of the Telluride X-Pro.
If you hear the classic, instantly upbeat chords of "Rock'n Me" by the Steve Miller Band, you're watching a "Movement That Inspires" spot, focused on the family-friendly lifestyle, road-trip readiness, and pure joy of the Kia Telluride.
Both are perfect, meticulously chosen soundtracks for their respective stories, proving that Kia deeply understands that the right music can make absolutely all the difference in the world, transforming a vehicle into a feeling.
👉 Watch the full Kia Telluride campaign here:
"Horse Herder" (Official Spot):
Watch YouTube video"Space for Just in Case" (Steve Miller Band):
Watch YouTube video"Horse Herder" (Friends Version):
Watch YouTube video
Discover the artist behind the captivating song in the Hyundai Tucson2026 "It's Your Journey" commercial. Uncover the music that enhancesyour drive.
Discover the powerful message behind the Jeep Wrangler Freedomcommercial. Explore its themes of adventure, patriotism, and the spiritof freedom.
Discover the actress featured in Honda CR-V's "Adventure Awaits" ad.Uncover her background and the story behind this captivating commercial.
Discover the actor featured in the Chevrolet Silverado EV "Future ofTrucks" ad. Uncover insights about their role and the ad's impact on the automotive industry.
Discover the catchy song featured in the 2026 Ford F-150 Built FordTough commercial. Uncover the artist and lyrics that make this adunforgettable.
Discover why the TJ Maxx "Maxx You Can Get" commercial is trending.Explore its impact on social media and what makes it resonate withaudiences today.
Discover the full cast of the Old Navy Summer Style commercial. Meet the talented actors bringing vibrant summer fashion to life in thisexciting ad campaign.
Discover the artist behind the catchy tune in the Macy's Friends &Family Sale ad. Uncover the details and enjoy the music that sets theperfect shopping mood.