Kia Telluride Teased Before 2019 Auto Show

The time has come – the Kia Telluride hybrid SUV may just be around the corner. We saw the Telluride spy shots in September, and even the Telluride concept at 2018 Fashion Week . During the 2018 SEMA Auto Show, Kia Motors rolled in with modified vehicles, their Kia Forte GT line , and five concepts for the Kia Telluride . Now, within a month of the 2019 North American International Auto Show (also known as the Detroit Auto Show), Kia Motors unwrapped an early holiday present by showing us a production-ready 2020 Telluride with an official teaser video.

“Expect the unexpected, with Kia Design.”

That’s the ending tagline for the above video, stated by Tom Kearns, Chief Designer, Kia Design Center America. Kia Motors is doing something with the Telluride that the automaker has never done before – they’re building a full-size premium SUV. It’s different for the automaker; Kia isn’t known for premium SUVs, just like they weren’t known for sports cars. Well, they surprised everyone when the Kia Stinger came out, and so far it’s a winner. The Kia Stinger has won countless awards throughout 2018.

When designing the Kia Telluride, there was a pretty simple introduction.

“The brief that I gave my team was – big, bold, and boxy…We wanted to add a presence…[so that] it can look like it can do anything, but at the same time, it looked very upscale and premium model.” – Kearns

Kurt Kahl, Senior Design Manager (of Exteriors) wanted to bring back some of the old school, positive attributes of a boxy SUV and place them in the modern era, adding luxury and refinement. Some would say this is akin to the upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer or 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn, both modern cars with wooden panels or features. Everything about the new Kia Telluride is iconic, and like other automakers, Kia designed a feature to distinguish this SUV from so many others on the road with L-shaped taillights.

Beyond the exterior is a refined interior designed to draw consumers into the vehicle. A sort of “Woah, what’s that?” Is the mood Kia Motors is going for with the Telluride hybrid SUV. Drivers will appreciate the leather-wrapped steering wheel with gloss black accents and perforated black leather seats – hallmarks of premium luxury models. They match perfectly with the ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, power-folding third row, and a 10.25-inch infotainment system.

The video doesn’t talk at all about the powertrain specs, so we can’t say drivers will enjoy the rumble and tumble of a specific engine. Given that Kia Motors is under the umbrella of the Hyundai Motor Group, many speculate that the Telluride may share the 291hp 3.8-liter V6 found under the hood of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade. Only time will tell.

For now, enjoy some of these beautiful images.

Stay up to date with us on Miami Lakes Kia social media to learn more about the upcoming Kia Telluride hybrid SUV.

Photo Source/Copyright: CarBuzz and Auto Evolution

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