There is no denying that the Kia Telluride has been a rousing success story for the Korean brand in North America. The midsize SUV has been one of Kia’s best-selling models since it was introduced to the lineup. The combination of its attractive design, generous cabin equipment, and versatile seven/eight seating has made it a popular choice for those looking for a practical, well-equipped crossover SUV for a competitive price. Adding to this, the Kia Telluride has been consistently ranked among the top choices for trucks and SUVs from multiple automotive media/critics’ lists, is a Consumer Reports recommended choice, and has received top ratings in NHTSA/IIHS safety assessments for consecutive years.
Considering all of these glowing points the Kia Telluride touts, it’s no wonder that the highly anticipated second-generation model, expected to be released for the 2026-27 model years, has a lot of expectations to meet. Combined with a segment that continues to be even more competitive as rival brands bring more enticing options, the Korean brand is expected to go all out with its follow-up to the Telluride nameplate. We’ll take this time to reflect on where the Kia Telluride currently stands and how it could differ for its next generation.
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2025 Kia Telluride Key Specs
Engine
3.8L Naturally Aspirated V6
Power | Torque
291 hp | 262 lb-ft
Transmission
8-speed Automatic Transmission
Drivetrain
Front/All-wheel Drive
Seating Capacity
7/8 Occupants
Maximum Towing Capacity
5,000 lbs
Price Range (MSRP)
$36,390—$53,685
The Kia Telluride first arrived for the 2019 model year, placed above what was previously known as the largest SUV model Kia sold for the North American market, the Kia Sorento. The Telluride was also the first Kia SUV model made specifically for the United States market, and in some ways, a second attempt by the Korean brand to make an SUV model only for this market, following the short-lived Kia Borrego (which only lasted from 2009-2010).
Like its corporate twin, the Hyundai Palisade (another three-row crossover SUV), the Kia features only one engine option: a 3.8L naturally aspirated V6 paired with an 8-speed torque converter-based automatic transmission. Power can be sent to the front or all four wheels, with some of the all-wheel drive models also available with a center locking differential and multi-terrain control for added off-road ability.
The success of the Telluride was instantly noted in its sales figures, with the most recent data reporting that at one point, Kia’s SUV achieved 115,504 units sold in total for 2024. Even as of 2025, the SUV is pulling in strong sales numbers with 84,090 sold as of September 2025.
“It’s hard to remember a more immediate success than the Kia Telluride. This vehicle was a hit and contributed to Kia’s sales skyrocketing; dealers started marking up their inventory, which was previously unheard of for the Kia brand, and the brand lovingly adopted the nickname “Selluride.”
– Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz
Sharing a platform with the Hyundai Palisade – which has already been revealed for the 2026 model year – the upcoming Telluride will likely share mechanicals, too. For the Telluride to attract an even greater range of buyers and further improve on its existing selling points, Kia is likely to add more powertrains in line with configurations offered by its Hyundai counterpart. At the top of the list, a hybrid powertrain is very likely to be introduced, with a plug-in hybrid also on the table that will see the Kia Telluride finally compete against other hybrid/PHEV crossovers, from the Mazda CX-90 PHEV to high-end, premium rivals from Lexus and BMW.
Exact details of the powertrains confirmed or to be expected in the second-gen Telluride are scarce, but these are some of the possible options:
With its potent power and torque delivery, Kia may also continue to offer a V6 option, but in the interest of more stringent emissions and gas mileage standards, may have to reduce the size of the V6 or incorporate some form of mild-hybrid assistance, should a significant downsize to four cylinders not be in their plans.
Kia already has a well-established target market for the Telluride, and no doubt, wants to ensure the next-gen model will continue to satisfy its current network of customers, in addition to attracting new buyers to the brand. These measures would continue to ride on the same principles that revitalized Korean brands since their ‘renaissance’ moment from 2010 onward – European levels of refinement and luxury, without the hefty premiums or expense.
Subtle yet noticeable changes will be key to distinguishing the next-gen Telluride versus its predecessor. The aesthetic design, both with the body and interior, will be a noticeable area Kia is aiming to further improve on, especially with an exterior that ditches the midlife update that saw more LED lights and a new front fascia, and which has remained unchanged since its first model year. The changes don’t need to be drastic (ie, maximum ‘futuristic’ aesthetic design over functionality), but they should allow the Telluride’s appearance to be distinguished as a new model, while maintaining Kia’s unique design language. The same level of infotainment connectivity, digital displays, and cabin materials as seen in the current Telluride is to be expected.
The new appearance of the next-gen Telluride has been hinted at based on currently available spy shots. It appears to use LED headlights similar to those found in the EV9, along with newly-designed body panels. Tom Kearns, Chief Designer at the Kia Design Center America, and John Buckingham, Kia’s Global Head of Exterior Design, in previous interviews, have also confirmed they do intend to go more boldly with the next-gen Telluride’s design, while striking a good balance with a traditional cabin interface and physical controls (physical buttons over an overload of touch-sensitive units or screens), compared to attempts other brands have pursued in an attempt to unnecessarily ‘innovate’.
“It’s a balancing act; you need to present the newness in a new way, but we can’t overindex on one thing or the other. We need to make sure that it appeals to a large bandwidth of our customer base. It happens on the exterior. It happens in the interior. It’s making something look fresh and modern, but it has to work.”
– John Buckingham, Kia Global Head of Exterior Design
Adding a hybrid/PHEV option with standard all-wheel drive, as mentioned earlier, will provide vast potential for the next Telluride to be successful. Combined with a competitive starting price range and marketing class-leading towing capacity figures among other SUVs in the same segment, this will be key towards Kia’s success.
Kia could also leverage the marketing of the Telluride’s off-road-focused trim, the X-Pro, in a direction similar to that other SUVs, which have gone to market towards the ‘overlander’ demographic. From Toyota’s TRD Pro/TrailHunter trims to the Honda Pilot Trailsport, Kia could further improve on the Telluride’s off-road character beyond all-terrain tires, elevated ground clearance, and subtle roof rails. Features like a full exterior roof rack/accessories, more aggressively styled body cladding, rugged interior materials, are just a few ways Kia could go further to sell the X-Pro’s off-road character.
The second-gen Kia Telluride will not be short of rivals when it finally hits showrooms. Combined with its corporate twin, the Hyundai Palisade, both the full gasoline and hybrid/PHEV variants will go up against other SUVs that will likely experience their own share of minor updates or redesigns, such as the Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-90. Other rivals the Kia will have to contend with include a varied range of American, Japanese, and European three-row SUVs, including the Chevrolet Traverse, Nissan Pathfinder, Ford Explorer, and Toyota Grand Highlander.
Below are a few ways some of the rivals for the Kia Telluride could shape up.
2026/27 Kia Telluride Key Rivals
Expected Price Range
Hybrid Option (if known)
Status When New Telluride Arrives
Mazda CX-90
$39,000–$60,000
Yes
Midlife Update
Honda Pilot
$40,200–$54,000
No
Facelift
Nissan Pathfinder
$42,000–$50,000
Potential
Facelift/Midlife Update
Chevrolet Traverse
$41,000–$51,000
No
Facelift
Hyundai Paliside
$39,435–$55,000
Yes
Midlife Update
Sources: Kia
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