With seating for up to eight, the upcoming 2020 Kia Telluride is the automaker's first attempt to take on big, soft-roading crossovers like the Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, and Ford Explorer—not to mention sister brand Hyundai's version, the Palisade. (Previously, the brand had offered the rear-drive and off-road-ready Borrego—remember that one?) The Telluride debuted in concept form a couple of years ago at the same Detroit location playing host to its production debut, and it also had a quick turn as an accessorized fashion plate at New York Fashion Week in September, so we knew what to expect aesthetically. Styling-wise, the Telluride is a bit less strange than Hyundai's version, with stacked headlights flanking a taller version of Kia's wasp-waisted grille. Inside, the Telluride sticks to the same successful formula seen in other Kia models, with the climate and audio controls arranged in neat rows, a stand-alone widescreen display, and wood trim galore. Kia promises a nice mix of luxury and practicality, with reclining third-row seats, optional quilted leather upholstery, and plenty of hooks for grocery bags and purses. See all 25 photos See all 25 photos Power will come from a stout, 3.8-liter direct-injection V-6 with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It will work through an eight-speed automatic transmission, while buyers can opt for either front- or all-wheel drive. AWD Tellurides employ an electrohydraulic multi-plate clutch to transfer power front to rear, with power apportioned according to the drive mode selected. A "lock" mode will send torque evenly to all four wheels. Kia claims a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. Kia's Highway Driving Assist system is among the options, and it uses the Telluride's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance systems to provide semi-autonomous driving. The system will be able to recognize speed-limit signs on federal highways and adjust the set speed accordingly. It's a feature that those of us in the 10-over-the-limit crowd are hoping can be disabled, or at least incorporates a customizable buffer as Ford has done for its similar function in the 2020 Explorer. Other nifty features: If the Telluride detects an impending collision from the rear, it will automatically disengage the child safety locks, while ultrasonic sensors can detect a child or pet left in the car after the doors are locked and alert the driver. The Telluride has a feature that amplifies the driver's voice for rear passengers, and the stereo has a Quiet Mode that mutes the speakers in the second and third rows so adults up front can listen to their own audio while the kids in back tune into their devices or tune out and nap. Kia will offer the Telluride in LX, EX, S, and SX trim levels, with pricing to be announced closer to the on-sale date later in 2019. Given our experience with Kia's luxury and convenience features, the brand's emphasis on value, and the new focus on driving dynamics, we expect the Telluride to give the segment's biggest sellers some strong competition. See all 25 photos See all 25 photos<doc-sep>Kia is pushing for a bigger piece of the U.S. market with a vehicle that embraces all that sets SUVs apart from sedans. Two years after the South Korean brand brought it to Detroit as a concept, the 2020 Kia Telluride made its debut at the North American International Auto Show on Monday. Billed as the “largest Kia ever,” the three-row Telluride — still described as midsize by Kia — can carry eight passengers in a vehicle powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. “Telluride is the first Kia designed specifically for the U.S. and is a product of the Kia Design Center in Irvine (Calif.). From the first pencil stroke it was meant to convey the kind of presence associated with the original legendary SUVs — big, bold and boxy — and the go-anywhere, do-anything attitude their square, burly-shouldered shapes suggested,” according to the company, which built a special course at Cobo Center for the Telluride. Executives at Kia and sister brand Hyundai have been hoping to better capitalize on the U.S. fascination with SUVs. Whether the Telluride is the vehicle to push Kia over the top is unclear, but it should certainly help it compete. Kia’s U.S. sales in December were up about 10 percent compared to the same month in 2017, but for the year, the brand was basically flat at 589,673. Much as it did when it was promoting the 2019 Sorento at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia has been stressing the capability of its SUVs as it pushes for more sales. In that case, Kia showed off a Sorento it said had “crushed” the legendary Moab, Utah, off-roading site. But Kia and Hyundai have also had to contend with concerns raised by safety advocates in recent months about a rash of fires in some of their vehicles. More:2019 North American International Auto Show: What you need to know More:My picks for North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year More:This Detroit auto show newsletter has everything you need The Telluride unveiling aims to focus the conversation on a handsome new vehicle. The SUV, which is assembled in West Point, Georgia, will be available in four trim levels — LX, EX, S and SX — and offer front- or optional all-wheel drive when it goes on sale later this year, according to the company. Pricing has not been released. In its press materials, Kia says the Telluride is “brimming with technology” and “born for adventure in luxury.” The company highlights a list of standard and optional features, everything from an available 10.25-inch color touchscreen with rear view monitor and parking guidance to downhill brake control and reclining third-row seats. The company also lists several firsts for a Kia, including blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, lane following assist, safe exit assist, highway driving assist, head-up display and rear occupant alert. That last item could be a big selling point for safety-conscious parents. The alert system “uses ultrasonic sensors designed to detect child or pet movement in the second and third row after the car’s doors have been locked and then can issue audible alerts to the driver.” Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence.<doc-sep>
Planet-saving electric cars may be the future, but the present is all about crossovers and SUVs. That’s why Kia chose the 2019 Detroit Auto Show to launch its largest-ever vehicle. Behold the three-row, eight-passenger 2020 Telluride. This is actually the third time we’ve seen the 2020 Kia Telluride. Kia brought a near-production-ready example to New York Fashion Week in September and the Telluride hasn’t changed much from the original concept version that debuted at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. The boxy shape screams SUV. The Telluride aims to improve on the track record of Kia’s last big SUV, the Borrego. That model launched in 2009 in the midst of the financial crisis and high gas prices, so it was a sales dud. This time around, demand for SUVs seems more robust, so it’s not surprising that Kia is trying again. The Telluride also shares a basic platform with the Hyundai Palisade, so development costs are spread out over more vehicles. Previous Next 1 of 9 Ronan Glon/Digital Trends Ronan Glon/Digital Trends Ronan Glon/Digital Trends Ronan Glon/Digital Trends Ronan Glon/Digital Trends Ronan Glon/Digital Trends Ronan Glon/Digital Trends While the Borrego was available with a gas-guzzling V8 engine, the Telluride goes V6 only in a nod toward fuel economy. The 3.8-liter V6 produces 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It’s connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. Kia claims the Telluride will tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. It may be a Kia, but interior features like Nappa leather upholstery and reclining third-row seats aim to give the Telluride an air of luxury. The big SUV is also available with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system (compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), 630-watt, 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system (with a “quiet mode” that cuts output in the second and third rows), a head-up display, and six USB ports (five are standard). A host of driver aids are on the menu as well. In addition to expected features like adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring, the Telluride is available with Kia’s Highway Driving Assist. This uses radar and lidar to scan the road ahead in order to keep the car centered in its lane while following a vehicle ahead. Safe Exit Assist will prevent the child locks from being deactivated if the system detects an object approaching from the rear. Kia is also the latest automaker to incorporate a feature designed to prevent drivers to children or pets from being left unattended in the rear seats. Pricing for the 2020 Kia Telluride will be revealed closer to the SUV’s on-sale date later this year. Considering that Kia’s largest current utility vehicle, the seven-seat Sorento, can push $45,000, the Telluride could very well end up in luxury-car territory alongside the Kia K900 sedan. Editors' Recommendations