Kia has arrived at the Los Angeles Auto Show with the next generation of its Telluride crossover, set for production in Georgia and U.S. launch in Q1 2026.
The new SUV is no longer available with a non-electrified V6, instead packing a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in tandem with an unspecified “electric system”. We don’t know how many motors there are and how much they output individually, but the combined output amounts to 329 PS (324 hp / 242 kW) and 460 Nm (339 lb-ft).
A six-speed automatic transmission carries the momentum to the front wheels via a torque vectoring system. All-wheel drive is a paid option. A tiny 1.65-kWh battery pack supplies the power, so the whole sounds like a mild hybrid setup. Kia claims the new Telluride burns through 6.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, which translates into 35.1 MPG for our U.S.-based readers and 42.1 MPG for those of you from the UK. On a full tank, it can do around 960 kilometers, or 596 miles.
Those looking for savings may opt for a non-electrified version of the same 2.5-liter turbo four-pot. It makes 274 PS (270 hp / 202 kW) and 422 Nm (311 lb-ft) of torque in this version, landing just a little below the old V6 in terms of raw power but surpassing it in peak torque. This engine comes bundled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and can also be optioned with AWD, but only in the higher trim levels.
At the same time, Kia revealed some info about the upcoming Telluride X-Pro version. It’s an off-road themed edition that adds an interaxle diff lock, raises the ground clearance to 231 mm (9 inches), and upgrades the suspension travel on both axles. AWD is included as standard in this spec along with towing hooks, mud tires and dedicated off-road drive presets. Last but not least, the X-Pro uses cameras to let you see through the hood – something that’s always handy, but especially so on rough terrain.
