- Spy photographers have snapped the redesigned Kia Telluride in the United States.
- It features streamlined styling as well as two new engines, including a hybrid option.
- We can also expect an off-road variant with a rugged front bumper and meatier tires.
When Kia launched the Telluride in 2019, we said it was “large, luxurious and here to eat the Explorer’s lunch.” That still feels spot on, and the three-row crossover ended up becoming the brand’s second best-selling vehicle in the United States last year with sales of 115,504 units.
var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};
adpushup.que.push(function() {
if (adpushup.config.platform !== “DESKTOP”){
adpushup.triggerAd(“0f7e3106-c4d6-4db4-8135-c508879a76f8”);
} else {
adpushup.triggerAd(“82503191-e1d1-435a-874f-9c78a2a54a2f”);
}
});
More: 2026 Hyundai Palisade Arrives In America With Classy Looks And Hybrid Power
Kia wants to keep that momentum going, so they’re gearing up to introduce a redesigned crossover that will have a lot in common with the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. A couple of prototypes were recently spied undergoing testing in the United States, revealing an evolutionary, but streamlined design.
Refined Styling and Off-Road Signals
Starting up front, we can see a new egg crate grille with an angular lower accent. It’s flanked by vertical headlights that have pronounced daytime running light graphics.
Further below, there are two different bumper designs. The first is fairly conventional and features a wide intake, a centrally mounted sensor, and fog lights.
The second design is more aggressive and will likely be reserved for a rugged, off-road variant. As you can see, it features protruding black accents as well as what appears to be red recovery hooks. Judging by the looks of things, the prototype also has meatier tires as well as a lifted suspension.
Getting back to the regular model, we can see streamlined bodywork that embraces angular accents. The latter are particularly prominent on the new side mirrors.
var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};
adpushup.que.push(function() {
if (adpushup.config.platform !== “DESKTOP”){
adpushup.triggerAd(“bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c”);
} else {
adpushup.triggerAd(“9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751”);
}
});
Elsewhere, there are flush-mounted door handles and a cleaner greenhouse with new quarter glass. The latter meets a thick angular pillar, which is capped by black trim and a silver accent.
The rear end is more evolutionary, and we can see familiar taillights, which mimic the headlights. Further below, the undisguised rear bumper reveals plastic cladding and a contrasting silver accent. They’re joined by reflectors on the back and sides.
What’s Under the Hood?
While Kia is staying tight-lipped, the model will echo the Palisade, which grew 2.5 inches (64 mm) and sports an extra 2.7 inches (69 mm) between the wheels. We can also expect two new engines.
var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};
adpushup.que.push(function() {
if (adpushup.config.platform !== “DESKTOP”){
adpushup.triggerAd(“b25ecba7-3bbb-4ea7-a3a8-dbea91695c07”);
} else {
adpushup.triggerAd(“e46c436a-adeb-4b5e-a2c7-56bc36561c10”);
}
});
The 3.8-liter V6 will give way to an all-new 3.5-liter engine developing 287 hp (214 kW / 291 PS) and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque. That’s a slight drop from the current rating of 291 hp (217 kW / 295 PS) and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm), but the new engine should be more efficient.
The big news is a hybrid variant, which features a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a 1.65 kWh battery pack, and two electric motors that are integrated into a six-speed automatic transmission. This will give the model a combined output of 329 hp (245 kW / 334 PS) and 339 lb-ft (459 Nm) of torque.
Besides being more powerful, Hyundai has said the Palisade Hybrid is expected to return more than 30 mpg highway. That would be a significant boost over the current Telluride, which maxes out at 26 mpg highway with front-wheel drive. However, there will be tradeoffs, including a lower towing capacity of around 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg).
