Kia Telluride
Kia Telluride (ON) | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Kia |
Production | February 2019–present[1] |
Model years | 2020–present |
Assembly | United States: West Point, Georgia (KMMG) |
Designer | Tom Kearns[2] |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Mid-size crossover SUV[3][4] |
Body style | 5-door SUV |
Layout | |
Related | Hyundai Palisade Kia Carnival/Sedona |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 3.8 L Lambda II GDi V6 (gasoline) |
Transmission | 8-speed A8LF1 automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 114.2 in (2,900 mm) |
Length | 196.9 in (5,000 mm) |
Width | 78.3 in (1,990 mm) |
Height | 68.9 in (1,750 mm) |
Curb weight | 4,112–4,482 lb (1,865–2,033 kg) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Kia Mohave/Borrego |
The Kia Telluride is a mid-size crossover SUV, built by Kia. Originally introduced as a concept car in 2016, the vehicle debuted in the spring of 2019 as a 2020 model. It is named after the town of Telluride, Colorado.[5] The Telluride is the largest vehicle Kia has ever produced in the United States. In 2020, the Telluride was named the 2020 World Car of the Year as well as MotorTrend's SUV of the year for 2020.[6]
Overview[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/2019_Kia_Telluride_EX_V6_rear_4.14.19.jpg/220px-2019_Kia_Telluride_EX_V6_rear_4.14.19.jpg)
The production version of the Kia Telluride was launched at the 2019 North American International Auto Show. The first public debut was a customized version inspired by fashion designer Brandon Maxwell's Texas-inspired collection, at New York Fashion Week in September 2018.[7] The overall design is similar to the 2016 concept except for the front end which was completely redesigned. The production model utilizes a larger 3.8-liter V6 engine and eschews the hybrid powertrain. Its width, height and wheelbase have been noticeably decreased when compared to the concept model.
The Telluride shares some components and specifications with its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, including its engine, transmission, and wheelbase.[8]
The Telluride is not sold in South Korea as it is only produced in the United States, and importing a Kia model produced in foreign factories requires support from labor unions. It also lacks a diesel engine option which is the popular choice in the country. Instead, only the Korean-built Palisade, its Hyundai equivalent, is sold in the home country.[9]
Trim levels[]
The Telluride is offered in four trim levels: base LX, S, mid-level EX, and top-of-the-line SX.[10] The latter is offered with an optional "SX Prestige Package," which includes all-wheel drive, Nappa leather trim, a head-up display, heated and ventilated second-row seats, and other premium features.[11] Since 2021, Kia has offered the "Prestige Package" on the EX trim which includes 20-inch Alloy Wheels (Machined Finish), LED Projector Beam Headlights, Low Profile Roof Rails (Satin Chrome Finish), 7-Passenger Seating w/ 2nd-Row Captain's Chairs, and 50/50 Split-Folding 2nd-Row Seats[12]
All Tellurides feature three rows[13] of seating and, regardless of trim level, are equipped with various luxury-oriented features that are otherwise optional in some of its competitors, such as "Sofino" (leatherette)-trimmed or leather-trimmed seating surfaces, a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and Kia's suite of "Drivewise" advanced driver assistance technologies.
All Tellurides are powered by a 291-horsepower, 3.8-liter Lambda II gasoline V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission,[10] and either front-wheel-drive (FWD) or Kia's "Dynamax" all-wheel-drive (AWD) system (the latter is similar to the system found in the smaller Kia Sorento).
Higher trim levels of the Telluride also include heated and ventilated first and second row bucket seats, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.[14]
Concept[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Kia_Telluride.jpg/220px-Kia_Telluride.jpg)
The concept version was first introduced at the 2016 North American International Auto Show. A mid-size, three-row, seven-passenger SUV, the Telluride is based on a modified Sorento chassis, and powered by a transversely-mounted 3.5-liter gasoline direct injected V6 producing 270 hp (201 kW) combined with an electric motor making 130 hp (97 kW), for an overall output of 400 hp (298 kW). Fuel consumption is claimed to be 30 miles per US gallon (7.8 L/100 km).[15]
The exterior was finished in dark pyrite paint and featured a squared off body riding on 22-inch rims, as well as an enlarged tiger nose grille and multiple LED headlamps, consistent with Kia's current design language (as of 2016).[16] The car's suicide doors swung open 90 degrees in opposite directions,[17] revealing a pillarless design.[18] Some of the interior components were 3D printed, marking Kia's first usage of 3D printing technology.[19] It was designed by Tom Kearns from Kia Design Center America.[20]
Sales[]
Calendar year | United States[21] |
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2019 | 58,604 |
2020 | 75,129 |
2021 | 93,705 |
References[]
- ^ "First 2020 Kia Telluride Rolls Off The Production Line". CarBuzz. February 20, 2019.
- ^ "10 of the Kia Telluride's Coolest Design Details, from the Designer Himself". Yahoo! News.
- ^ https://www.cars.com/research/kia-telluride-2020/[bare URL]
- ^ Stafford, Eric (July 16, 2020). "2021 Kia Telluride Review, Pricing, and Specs". Car and Driver.
- ^ "New SUV with a Colorado name is so hot dealers can't keep it in stock". Denver Post. 15 December 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "The Kia Telluride is the 2020 MotorTrend SUV of the Year". MotorTrend. November 19, 2019.
- ^ "2020 Kia Telluride Makes Texas-Sized Debut At NY Fashion Week". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
- ^ Bragman, Aaron. "What's the Difference Between the 2020 Hyundai Palisade and 2020 Kia Telluride?". Cars.com. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- ^ Bizwire, Korea. "Kia Motors Mulls Telluride Launch in S. Korea". Be Korea-savvy. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- ^ a b "2020 Kia Telluride Specs". SUVTests.com. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "2020 Kia Telluride comparison: Specs and pricing versus other 3-row crossovers" from Autoblog (February 8, 2019)
- ^ "2021 Kia Telluride | Mid-Size SUV - Build & Price - LX, S, EX & SX | Kia". www.kia.com.
- ^ "Best 3-Row SUVs - Top rated SUVs with 3 rows for 2020 | Edmunds.com". Edmunds.com. January 17, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Kia Telluride Standard Features & Trims". SUVTests.com. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ Sheehan, Sam (January 11, 2016). "Kia Telluride concept SUV revealed". Autocar. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ Atiyeh, Clifford (January 11, 2016). "Kia Telluride Concept: Fool's Gold". Car and Driver. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ Hard, Andrew (January 11, 2016). "Kia debuts three-row, seven-passenger Telluride concept in Detroit". Digital Trends. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ Aaron, Chris (January 12, 2016). "Kia Telluride concept previews premium 7-seat SUV". Paul Tan's Automotive News. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ Garlitos, Kirby (January 12, 2016). "2016 Kia Telluride Concept". Top Speed. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ "KIA TELLURIDE CONCEPT MAKES WORLD DEBUT AT NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW IN DETROIT". Kia Media. January 11, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ "Kia Telluride US car sales figures". carsalesbase.com. 2019-03-02. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kia Telluride. |
- Kia concept vehicles
- Kia vehicles
- Cars introduced in 2019
- Mid-size sport utility vehicles
- Crossover sport utility vehicles