The 2020 Kia Telluride has just been unveiled in production guise at the Detroit Auto Show 2019. Kia’s Telluride is the brother to the Hyundai Palisade and is the largest vehicle to ever wear the Kia badge, providing seating for up to eight people in comfort.
The South Korean automaker previewed the Telluride on a number of occasions last year with tricked-out concepts adorned with unique exterior components. Consequently, the design of the production model is no surprise.
Up front, the Telluride gets squared headlights, a large grille with chrome accents, and an impressively imposing hood. The sides incorporate bulging arches and on the vehicle pictured, gloss black wheels which give the SUV an appealing personality.
There can only be one (engine)
Under the skin, the 2020 Kia Telluride is powered buy a large 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering 291 hp at 6000 rpm and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque from 5200 rpm. Coupled to this engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends drive through the front axle as standard or through an optional all-wheel drive setup.
Drivers of the Telluride will be able to opt between Smart, Eco, Sport, and Comfort driving modes when behind the wheel of the SUV. In Both Eco and Smart modes, power is sent solely through the front wheels which Comfort sees power split 80:20 between the front and rear. In Sport, the ratio is 65:35 front/rear. When the conditions are right, drivers can also select between Snow and AWD Lock modes. The first of those features an 80:20 power split while AWD Lock has a 50:50 front/rear power split. Kia says the Telluride can tow up to 5000 lbs (2267 kg.)
Plenty of optional features
A number of optional extras are available for the Telluride. These include Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Safe Exist Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Head-Up Display, Driver Talk, Quiet Mode, and a Rear Occupant Alert.
The cabin of the Kia Telluride includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also found within is a 10-speaker, 630-watt audio system from Harman Kardon, wireless charging, and six USB charging ports.
The Telluride will be built at Kia’s manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia and sales will commence later this year. Prices have yet to be announced.