The Telluride is another big step forward for the Korean manufacturer. The brand-new model came just recently, as the 2020 model year and it is the biggest vehicle Kia has ever made. Moreover, it is a pretty luxurious and very attractive vehicle, and we have no doubt it will become an important player in the segment pretty soon. Considering that the 2021 Kia Telluride will represent the second production year, we have no doubt that the overall design will remain the same.
Still, that doesn’t mean we won’t see changes at all. One of the first things that come to mind is a hybrid powertrain, which sounds quite likely, despite that, we are still waiting to hear something from the officials. Other than that, we expect typical yearly updates, in terms of new standard features, color options and similar things. The 2021 Kia Telluride release date should be scheduled for the end of 2020.
2021 Kia Telluride Design
This aspect of the 2021 Kia Telluride definitely won’t bring any change. We are talking about a very fresh, brand-new model, which is a new flagship crossover of the Korean carmaker. The first thing you’ll notice on it is a very attractive styling, characterized by bold shapes and lots of angular design solutions. Practically, it is designed in a manner of full-size SUV, though we are actually talking about a mid-size crossover.
It has derived from the Sorento, and you will find the most similarities with Hyundai Palisade. The two models share mechanics, as well as size. Therefore, you may count on 114.2 inches between the axles, which is a quite typical wheelbase for the segment. Compared to rivals, that’s more than Highlander or Pilot, but less compared to models like VW Atlas and Chevy Traverse.
All in all, bigger 2021 Kia Telluride changes are not expected and the best we could see are actually new color options. Other than that, the visual appearance will remain the same.
Interior
The same thing goes for the interior. Bigger changes are not expected. That means you may count on the same, very nice cabin design that looks pretty upscale. Just one look at the dashboard and you can notice that the company used hi-quality materials to build it. Materials are great, as well as the final touch, so there is really nothing to complain about in this aspect.
The same thing goes for interior comfort and functionality. This is a three-row crossover, with plenty of legroom. The first row offers more than 41 inches of legroom, while the second is even more generous. The third row is relatively tight, but still more spacious than many rivals.
We also like the cargo area, as you may count on pretty impressive 21 cubic feet behind the third row. The overall cargo capacity goes all-away up to 87 cubic feet, which is also a quite respectable number for the class.
Features
This is where we might see a couple of additions for the next year. Still, be sure that most things will remain the same. The list of standard tech features will definitely include things like an 8-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker sound system, Bluetooth etc. A couple of additions are possible and of course, those would be some of the, currently, optional features. The list of available features is currently pretty long and includes things like10.25-inch touch screen, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, navigation etc.
When it comes to safety features, all models currently come standard with things like a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, a blind spot collision avoidance system, forward collision warning, brake assist, pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor, adaptive cruise control and more. Considering that the list looks pretty impressive, we don’t count on any particular change for the next year. Of course, some additions will be available as well. Those are things automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a surround-view parking camera, highway driving assist, and blind-spot monitoring etc.
2021 Kia Telluride Engine
The initial model came with just one engine option in the offer. It is a familiar 3.8-liter V6, the same one you can find in the Palisade. This unit delivers a quite solid 291 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. In a combination with 8-speed automatic transmission, it delivers pretty good driving dynamics, which ensures a convenient ride. When it comes to fuel economy, this engine returns around 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, which are typical ratings for the class.
The 2021 Kia Telluride Hybrid is probably the most anticipated thing for the next year. Many expected to see such a version already in the 2020 model year but it didn’t happen. The company is still silent on this matter, so details are unknown.
2021 Kia Telluride Release Date and Price
We expect to see this model sometime in the last quarter of 2020. When it comes to the 2021 Kia Telluride price, base models should go around 32.000 dollars.