Detroit show: LHD-only Kia Telluride revealed
BY SPENCER LEECH | 15th Jan 2019
KIA has officially revealed its largest SUV yet at the Detroit motor show this week, however the Telluride eight-seater will be exclusively built for the US market with no foreseeable plans for right-hook production.
The upper-large high-rider will be manufactured in the United States at Kia’s West Point, Georgia facility, and will go on sale in North America later this year in four trim levels with front- and all-wheel-drive driveline options.
The Telluride should put up a healthy fight against other US vehicles in its segment like the Cadillac Escalade, Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia.
Kia all but unveiled the Telluride at last year’s New York Fashion Week, however the vehicle shown was decked out in bolt-on off-road equipment masking its production silhouette.
We now know that the Telluride is motivated by a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine producing 216kW at 6000rpm and 355Nm of torque.
Power is translated to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with four driving modes on offer which control powertrain, drivetrain and steering effort settings.
On all-wheel-drive variants, an active torque distribution system can automatically transfer power to the front or rear wheels to suit the terrain and environment.
The Telluride sits on four-wheel independent suspension which, on higher-end variants, is self-levelling at the rear for improved stability.
Towing capacity is rated at 226kgs and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) is equipped for controlled descents on steep roads – which should be handy when towing large cargo.
On the inside, the Telluride features Nappa leather upholstery, brushed metal and matte-finished wood trim pieces, heated and ventilated pews, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel.
Kia has made a name for itself in recent times as a brand that offers a plethora of interior technologies and driver-assistance systems, and the Telluride is no different.
Starting in the centre, the Telluride boasts a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display which is matched with a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system.
All the usual connectivity options are onboard including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, up to six USB ports and a wireless smartphone charger.
For safety, the Telluride features seven airbags, hill-start assist, a tyre pressure monitor, forward collision warning, high beam assist, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot warning with collision avoidance, a blind spot monitor, driver attention warning, smart cruise control with stop/go, rear cross-traffic alert and a surround-view monitor among others.
