New Kia Telluride Stalked in California

The three-row SUV was spotted hiding the production body.

2026 Kia Telluride screenshot from spy video

Photo by: KindelAuto

Adrian Padeanu

By: Adrian Padeanu

Nov 11, 2024 at 5:56am ET

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After launching its first-ever pickup truck, Kia is back to its modus operandi, which is to pump out SUVs. Its biggest of the gas-fueled lot, the Telluride, is gearing up for a second generation. The current model has been around for nearly six years, so it's no surprise a successor is being tested with the final body. A camouflaged prototype was recently spotted on the streets of California.

If you get the impression it looks like an EV9 with an exhaust tucked away underneath the bumper, you’re not the only one. It seemingly looks boxier than the current Telluride and we’re noticing the vertical lights peeking through the camo at both ends of the vehicle. Kia also didn’t bother to hide the redesigned grille and left the giant radar sensor exposed as well.

With Kia investing heavily in EVs, it seems unlikely that the next Telluride will be an all-new model. Expect an evolution of today’s model with one major change–a hybrid powertrain. It hasn’t been confirmed yet but reports from South Korea state the fullsize SUV will be electrified to some extent. A turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder could also join the lineup by being offered alongside the familiar naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V-6.

Despite getting up there in years, Telluride sales are almost flat year over year. Through October, Kia sold 91,448 units in the United States, or roughly 1,000 fewer vehicles than in the first ten months of 2023. The large SUV is the brand’s third best-selling product in the US so far this year, after the Sportage and Forte.

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Since the current Telluride has already entered the 2025 model year, don’t expect its replacement to arrive before 2026MY at the earliest. Seeing as how this prototype looks just about ready to drop the disguise, the world premiere is likely to take place at some point next year. Sales should commence by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

If you prefer the Telluride with a Hyundai badge, a next-gen Palisade is also coming soon. It might arrive first seeing as how car paparazzi have been capturing prototypes out and about for several months already.

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