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LA Auto Show premiere: A new Telluride arrives
Kia has officially revealed the second generation of the Telluride at the Los Angeles Auto Show, delivering a bolder, more athletic full-size SUV that ditches the familiar V6 in favor of modern four-cylinder and hybrid powertrains. The Telluride remains one of Kia's biggest sellers in the United States, but the 2026 update shows the brand pushing toward greater efficiency and sharper styling without losing the family-friendly formula that made it popular.
Goodbye V6, hello turbo and hybrid
In a notable shift from previous generations and unlike the closely related Hyundai Palisade, the new Telluride drops the 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6. Kia now offers a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as the standard engine and a more powerful 2.5-liter turbo hybrid for higher trims. Key power figures:
- 2.5L turbo inline-4: 278 hp and 422 Nm of torque
- 2.5L turbo hybrid (engine + electric motor): 334 hp and 460 Nm combined
Both configurations use a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can opt for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive depending on trim and intended use.
Design upgrades and improved aerodynamics
The second-gen Telluride wears a more athletic stance while retaining the signature vertical lighting motif front and rear. The grille is more pronounced with larger vertical elements, and the front lamps themselves have grown compared with the outgoing model. Functional touches such as flush retractable door handles and streamlined bodywork helped Kia reduce the drag coefficient from 0.33 to 0.30, improving highway efficiency and wind noise.
More space: bigger dimensions and longer wheelbase
Kia stretched the Telluride to better meet family and cargo demands. Overall length increases by 59 mm to 5,060 mm, and the wheelbase grows by 69 mm to 2,969 mm. Those changes translate into more interior space and a roomier third row for adults on longer trips. Off-road-oriented trims X-Line and X-Pro return for customers who want greater ground clearance and rugged tires for light off-road use.
Quick highlights
- New powertrain strategy focused on turbo and hybrid options
- Drag coefficient improved to 0.30
- Length 5,060 mm; wheelbase 2,969 mm
- X-Line and X-Pro trims with higher ride height and off-road tires
When will it arrive and how much will it cost?
Kia plans to bring the new Telluride to market in the first quarter of next year. Pricing has not been announced yet, but for context the outgoing 2025 model started at about USD 36,390. The Telluride remains a strong seller in the US — more than 100,000 units were sold stateside through early 2025 — so buyers and fleet customers will be watching pricing and fuel economy figures closely.
What this means for buyers
Dropping a V6 in favor of turbocharged and hybrid four-cylinders is a clear move toward stricter emissions targets, better fuel economy, and an electrified future. For many buyers, the hybrid Telluride will provide the most compelling mix of performance and efficiency, while traditionalists who valued the V6s low-end smoothness may take time to adjust. Either way, the second-gen Telluride keeps its family-oriented focus while adding sharper design and modern drivetrain choices.
Expect full test drives, fuel economy ratings, and trim-by-trim pricing closer to launch as Kia releases more market-specific details.
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