Written byKia has officially unveiled the 2026 Telluride. This popular three-row SUV undergoes a complete makeover, featuring updated technology, more powerful engines, and a striking new design.
The new Telluride, set to arrive in showrooms in early 2026, will be eagerly welcomed by loyalists but is sure to attract spades of would-be first-time buyers as well.
Striking Exterior Overhaul
The Telluride strikes with its revamped exterior design. The fierce tiger nose grille now has a more assertive feel and is paired with vertical twin LED headlamps. The updated LEDs give the car a new “Starmap” signature daytime running light pattern. In addition, the broad border on the front bumper has been painted silver and features new fog lights, adding to an even more powerful look.
The rear design of the Telluride features vertical taillights with dual LED strips–an echo of what we find upfront. A wide brake light spans almost the entire width behind oneself. The rear bumper has been redesigned and now features new reflectors, blending harmoniously into the modern design landscape.
Other exterior changes include 20-inch black-coated five-spoke wheels, a three-part sunroof over the roof with shark fin antenna, and auto-flush type door handles that extend out or retract at will. These design changes make it clear that Telluride is both powerful and refined in appearance.
Luxurious and Tech-Forward Interior
Inside, the 2026 Telluride transforms comfort and technology. Both the cockpit layout and design have been innovatively re-engineered, utilizing luxurious materials to create a relaxing atmosphere that appears timeless. Users enjoy seamless connectivity with their 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster at the wheel and a corresponding central 12.3-inch touchscreen for navigation, entertainment, and vehicle settings. The dashboard features a square opening for a heads-up display (HUD), enhancing driver awareness to a level surpassing those of comparable units from competitors.
Stylish silk leather upholstery is available in a variety of color options. An optional second-row captain’s chair configuration provides additional comfort, and the third row offers the most generous interior space ever. Long family trips are more enjoyable.
New features include dynamic body care seats with multiple air cells for custom fit and massage functions. It also reduces travel weariness. The Preview ECS (Electronically Controlled Suspension) utilizes a forward-facing camera as well as GPS to preload the suspension in anticipation of road conditions, providing a smoother ride.
A newly designed climate system operates intelligently and can learn the owner’s preferences for environmental comfort, making adjustments automatically. Based on factors such as time of day, weather conditions, and the driver’s level of stress (as indicated by biofeedback from sensors incorporated into the steering wheel), for instance, it also utilizes AI to optimize the simultaneous operation of all climate control systems in real-time. Gesture control enables simple hand movements to adjust volume or hang up on a phone call, resulting in fewer distractions.
Electrified Powertrain Options
Underneath the skin, the Telluride represents the beginning of an era of electrification. The trustworthy 3.8L V6 power plant continues, but now you have a hybrid version with a 2.5L I4 and electric motor powering it as well. This new hybrid system should produce about 300hp and achieve combined fuel economy figures between 25-30 miles per gallon, comfortably ahead of today’s V6s at 25 or 23 mpg in all driving conditions–a significant improvement.
Equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission for smooth response, the hybrid powertrain is paired with a Telluride AWD drivetrain that features advanced torque vectoring, which sends power individually to each wheel. However, side effects include improved handling and enhanced traction in all conditions and on various surfaces.
Drive Mode Select with AI Optimization enhances the driving experience by learning the driver’s preferences and automatically selecting the most suitable mode – Eco, Comfort, Sport, or Smart – for the current conditions.
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Advanced Connectivity and Safety Features
Telluride redefines itself as a mobile hub in today’s vast Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. “Home-to-Car Integration” enables users to control smart home devices, such as lights and thermostats, from their vehicle or check the status of their vehicle while away from home. With a built-in 5G module, the Telluride has faster data speeds for streaming video, real-time traffic updates, and enhanced multimedia cloud services.
In-car commerce is now possible through the infotainment system, even including secure payments at gasoline stations equipped with intelligent payment cards. With advanced telematics, families or fleet managers can keep a close eye on every kilometer driven, thanks to detailed data. This information — including analyses of driving behavior and fuel efficiency reports, as well as predictive maintenance alerts for the vehicle itself — is beneficial for both improving operational safety and ensuring that maintenance becomes a just-in-time operation. Safety takes top priority in 2019, with all Telluride trims coming standard with Kia’s DriveWise safety suite.
This includes blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assistance, lane keeping and following assist, safe exit assist, sensor-assisted rear occupant alert, rear parking sensors, driver attention warning, and Highway Driving Assist. Higher trims add features such as a blind-spot view monitor for the driver, a 360-degree camera system that provides a comprehensive view in every direction, a digital rearview mirror that displays what lies behind (albeit on a screen), and an enhanced adaptive cruise control system with lane-changing support.
Trim Levels and Off-Road Capabilities
Kia continues to cater to adventure enthusiasts with the return of the X-Line and X-Pro trims. The X-Line package is distinguished by a unique grille design, 20-inch wheels, matching-colored door handles, and bridge-type roof rails, complete with special badges for added distinction.
Inside, there are five seats, all embossed with the X-Line logo. The X-Pro trim adds to off-road capability, featuring a range of equipment, including 18-inch wheels wrapped in Continental all-terrain tires, iPod branding inside the cabin, and a 110V power socket in the luggage bay. Worth mentioning is the fact that the X-Pro now boasts a better 5,500-pound towing capacity.
Release Date and Pricing
The slightly modified Kia Telluride is about to get underway next month, with production at Kia’s West Point assembly plant in Georgia trailing in December 2025. Sales should start in early 2026. Pricing is estimated to undercut the competition, with base models beginning at about $55,000 and fully kitted-out trims running just under $38,000.
The 2026 Kia Telluride pushes mid-size SUVs in a bold new direction. Its striking redesign, advanced technology, electrified powertrains, and enhanced safety features set a new benchmark for family SUVs. Whatever your needs be, be it luxury, performance, or versatility, the new Telluride does it all, guaranteeing that Kia will continue its well-earned reputation for innovation and customer satisfaction.
“…with base models beginning at about $55,000 and fully kitted-out trims running just under $38,000.” – are we getting mixed up?
Also, what is the 6 speed transmission? Dual clutch?