Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a mid-size crossover SUV, built by Kia. Originally introduced as a concept car in 2016, the vehicle debuted in the spring of 2019 as a 2020 model. It is named after the town of Telluride, Colorado. The Telluride is the largest vehicle Kia has ever produced in the United States. In 2020, the Telluride was named the 2020 World Car of the Year as well as MotorTrend's SUV of the year for 2020. Overview. The production version of the Kia Telluride was launched at the 2019 North American International Auto Show. The  first public debut was a customized version inspired by fashion designer Brandon Maxwell's Texas-inspired collection, at New York Fashion Week in September 2018. The overall design is similar to the 2016 concept except for the front end which was completely redesigned. The production model utilizes a larger 3.8-liter V6 engine and eschews the hybrid powertrain. Its width, height and wheelbase have been noticeably decreased when compared to the concept model. The Telluride shares some components and specifications with its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, including its engine, transmission, and wheelbase. The Telluride is not sold in South  Korea as it is only produced in the United States, and importing a Kia model produced in foreign factories requires support from labor unions. It also lacks a diesel engine option which is the popular choice in the country. Instead, only the Korean-built Palisade, its Hyundai equivalent, is sold in the home country. The first glimpse of the New Telluride was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show on April 13, 2022. The new convenience technology such as a 12.3-inch navigation screen and an available smart power liftgate with auto-close functionality is added. Trim levels. The  Telluride is offered in four trim levels: base LX, S, mid-level EX, and top-of-the-line SX. The latter is offered with an optional "SX Prestige Package," which includes all-wheel drive, Nappa leather trim, a head-up display, heated and ventilated second-row seats, and other premium features. Since 2021, Kia has offered the "Premium Package" on the EX trim which includes 20-inch Alloy Wheels (Machined Finish), LED Projector Beam Headlights, Low Profile Roof Rails (Satin Chrome Finish), 7-Passenger Seating w/ 2nd-Row Captain's Chairs, and 50/50 Split-Folding 2nd-Row Seats. All Tellurides  feature three rows of seating and, regardless of trim level, are equipped with various luxury-oriented features that are otherwise optional in some of its competitors, such as "Sofino" (leatherette)-trimmed or leather-trimmed seating surfaces, a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and Kia's suite of "Drivewise" advanced driver assistance technologies. All Tellurides are powered by a 291-horsepower, 3.8-liter Lambda II gasoline V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and either front-wheel-drive (FWD) or Kia's "Dynamax" all-wheel-drive (AWD) system (the latter is  similar to the system found in the smaller Kia Sorento). Higher trim levels of the Telluride also include heated and ventilated first and second row bucket seats, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Concept. The concept version was first introduced at the 2016 North American International Auto Show. A mid-size, three-row, seven-passenger SUV, the Telluride is based on a modified Sorento chassis, and powered by a transversely-mounted 3.5-liter gasoline direct injected V6 producing combined with an electric motor making , for an overall output of . Fuel consumption  is claimed to be . The exterior was finished in "dark pyrite" paint and featured a squared off body riding on 22-inch rims, as well as an enlarged tiger nose grille and multiple LED headlamps, consistent with Kia's current design language (as of 2016). The car's suicide doors swung open 90 degrees in opposite directions, revealing a pillarless design. Some of the interior components were 3D printed, marking Kia's first usage of 3D printing technology. It was designed by Tom Kearns from Kia Design Center America.