The Most Popular Midsize SUV Is Getting a Full Makeover. Here’s Everything We Know and Why We’re Excited

Kia’s most prominent and successful SUV as of late, the Telluride, is gearing up for a next-gen replacement at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. The Korean automaker just officially announced its scheduled debut at the worldly exposition.

When it launched back in 2019 as a 2020 model-year car, the Telluride became an instant and huge success, and, with time, the segment leader. It catapulted itself to the top of one of the most competitive sectors because of its exceptional value.

Kia Motor America

Not only does it deliver near luxury-like levels of refinement and standard equipment, it does it all for a surprisingly affordable cost.

Add in more than respectable handling and performance, fuel efficiency, and rugged looks, and it’s easy to see why it scooped up MotorTrend’s coveted “SUV of the Year” and “World Car of the Year” awards in its inaugural year.

That said, the next-gen Telluride has ginormous shoes to fill. But that said, it also faces a major challenge: how does one fix what isn’t broken?

Here’s everything that we know.

The Telluride will continue sharing its bones with the Hyundai Palisade

Kia Motor America

The current (and soon-to-be outgoing) Telluride shares its backbone with the equally successful and compelling Hyundai Palisade. The latter just received its second-generation overhaul after debuting in 2018.

Because the two are platform cousins, similar to the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, the Telluride is expected to follow the same path. With the second-generation Palisade already hitting showrooms, it was inevitable that the Telluride would follow.

Kia Motor America

Now that the new Palisade is out, we got a closer glimpse into what to expect with the new Telluride.

Like the Palisade, the Telluride will get a new powertrain option. That option is likely to be a gas-electric hybrid system, which utilizes a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and dual electric motors.

Hyundai USA

Previously, both the Palisade and Telluride came only with a silky-smooth 3.5-liter V6. The Palisade keeps its V6, which means the Telluride will also likely keep its V6 option.

For reference, the Palisade’s V6 in its latest form is good for 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. But its hybrid powertrain is positioned as the step-up, with a total system output of 329 hp and 339 lb-ft.

The current Telluride’s V6 is good for 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed automatic.

Expect boxier and more futuristic styling, inspired by the EV9

Kia

Ever since rumors began swirling about the next-gen Telluride, hints suggested to expect styling inspiration from its all-electric sibling, the EV9.

That said, we’re anticipating similarly futuristic design elements with the body panels, lighting assemblies, and wheel designs. We imagine the interior will also be very tech-forward, balancing digital screens and physical touch interfaces.

Kia Motor America

Hyundai and Kia have both proven to be masters at in-car ergonomics, so we anticipate the story to be the same.

The saga of the killer three-rows continues

Although the Telluride is evolving into another generation, we imagine the formula will remain the same. Three-rows, lots of space, tons of tech and features, fancy and futuristic styling, excellent driving dynamics, very good fuel economy, and exceptionally smart execution.

Kia Motor America

The current model offers all the above in spades, with a starting price of just $36,390. Fully-loaded models bump up to $51,390, which nears premium space.

Sounds like a lot of dough. But when you consider the amount of car that you get for the money in nearly all trims, it’s easy to see why the Telluride is just a slam-dunk, even in its current form and at the age of seven years old.

We’re also expecting prices to remain similar to the current model. Factor in all the above, and you don’t have to be a car enthusiast to realize how darn good a car and value the Telluride is.

There simply few cars out there that just check all the boxes as well as the Telluride and the Palisade to. They’re just that good.

Kia Motor America

Especially when it appeals to many in all the categories that truly matter. It’s a richly appointed car that makes you feel rich without having to be rich.

Needless to say, we’re excited to see what Kia has in store for what very quickly became its second-best-selling model behind the Sportage.

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