Kia unveiled its new SUV at the New York’s Fashion Week. It is an SUV based on the company’s Telluride concept and it carries the same name. The 2019 Kia Telluride will arrive at the beginning of the next year. It is a full-size eight-passenger SUV. Larger than Kia Sorento, Telluride comes with a powerful V6 engine and a hybrid drivetrain.
The interior is a mix of traditional look and modern features. The comfort is great and the cabin room is ample. The exterior slightly departs from the original concept which is normal. The exterior design looks modern, just like the interior’s design. Tough on the road, 2019 Kia Telluride SUV model could also hit the dirt roads but is the main purpose is transporting people. It is too early to predict, but Kia Telluride could become one of the family’s favorite SUVs.
2019 Kia Telluride showing the sportier character
The upcoming 2019 Kia Telluride will slightly depart from the concept when it comes to the exterior design. The full-size SUV will, in general, look like the conceptual design, but some changes have happened. For the start, the front end mostly departs from the original concept.
The grille is wider but the shape is the same. Additionally, LED headlights are sitting further into the corners and higher on the body. Those units are taller, along with the turn signal and daytime running lights.
The front fascia is taller as well and it comes with smaller openings in the corners. It is not clear yet if the front tow hooks will be in the offer as optional equipment. The roofline is the same as on the concept and the side profile is showing the sportier character. The rear part adds sporty taillights that are slightly wider. The rear end styling looks more dramatic with the thinner reverse lights and longer rear glass.
2019 Kia Telluride interior possesses the latest technology
The interior of the all-new 2019 Kia Telluride will look amazing. The cabin is roomy and comfortable, but even the interior design will depart from the concept’s interior, naturally. A semi-digital instrument cluster sports a 4.5-inch touchscreen in the center. The infotainment system is completely new and we like the old fashion look of the dashboard. Plenty of chrome trims are visible which provides a more luxurious look. It may look weird to you, but we think it fits perfectly in a combination with the colorful displays.
The armrests are wider and the reclining seats are even offering footrests. The main purpose of the 2019 Kia Telluride is to transport people, for that reason, the cabin is very comfortable. As we already said, this full-size SUV could become one of the family-favorite models. There is room for eight passengers over the three rows of seats.
We still don’t know the interior configuration, but two bench seats in the second and third row are the most probable outcome. As the images are all we have, we can’t say how much comfortable Telluride is. It is an important issue, especially for those who are seeking longer trips. It seems like the legroom and headroom are ample and the leather seats will be optional for sure. Cargo area is another mystery, but have in mind that 2019 Kia Telluride is a full-size SUV. There should be room for everything. Tech-wise, we must wait for Kia to release more specific details. Knowing Kia, we can all expect the latest technology with numerous drivers assist features and safety aids. Wi-Fi hotspot, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay should all be in the offer.
2019 Kia Telluride engine options
This is where things are becoming interesting. The South Korean carmaker opted for a 3.5-liter V6, which was a huge surprise and here’s why. The 2019 Kia Telluride will ride on a K900 platform.
The platform supports Kia’s 3.3-liter V6 that creates 365 horses and 376 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers are significantly larger than the numbers on a 3.5-liter V6. According to Kia, the 3.5-liter V6 will produce 270 horsepower, so do the comparing.
Hybrid drivetrain
Now the better part is coming. South Korean manufacturer said that the hybrid drivetrain will immediately hit the production. Kia will utilize the standard V6 engine and a single electric motor. According to Kia, the electric motor will add an additional 130 horses. With that in mind, a total output will be up to 400 horsepower which is great. We still don’t know anything about the torque figures. An all-wheel-drive setup will be optional while there is no word about the transmission.
2019 Kia Telluride price and launch date
The arriving 2019 Kia Telluride will hit the markets at the beginning of 2019. The price isn’t specified yet, but this full-size SUV will cost more than Kia Sorento. With that in mind, we predict the price around or above $45,000.
The most likely competitors are Nissan Armada and Chevy Tahoe. Those two models are available for the same price so Kia will follow the way for sure.