The 2026 Telluride Ditches Soft Styling For Square Shoulders And A Hybrid Surprise

The 2026 redesign brings a boxy new look, advanced tech, and a hybrid punch to Kia’s second best-selling SUV

                                        https://www.carscoops.com/author/josh-byrnes/                                    

Arguably one of Kia’s best-looking modern vehicles, the Telluride has been a fan favorite with sales on track to eclipse 2024’s record. In the first half alone, US sales rose 15 percent, climbing from 53,700 to 61,502 units. To maintain momentum, the handsome, large SUV is getting ready for a major redesign, featuring a boxy new aesthetic and an all-new hybrid powertrain.

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Recent spy photos reveal test mules are well into the latter stages of development, indicating an official reveal could be within the coming months. Rather than waiting, we’ve taken an illustrative preview in X-Pro guise and dived into all we know about it.

Big and Boxy

The new Telluride eschews the current model’s restrained brawny aesthetic and adopts an ever boxier appearance that could come from the Range Rover school of design. However, the look owes more to its corporate sibling, the new Hyundai Palisade.

Whether you love it or not, the front fascia features double-stacked DRLs that angle inwards, and the upper edge of the grille is dissected by the hood to create the ‘tiger nose’ identity the automaker is well known for. Lower down, X-Pro versions have vertical elements with tow recovery points framing the lower intake.

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The side view is dominated by a floating roof and its blacked-out A-pillars, while the wheel arches have color-coded inlays for a more technical look. Unlike the Palisade, the rear quarter glass is separated by thick D-pillars with black upper trim (an overused trend that, in our opinion, needs to vanish). Out back, it scores a very Range Rover-ish upright tailgate and smoked vertical taillights.

A Nicer Place to be Inside

Inside, the three-row, nine-seat Telluride will follow the interior ethos of the electric EV9 with a tech-laden and airy cabin. Key design highlights include a wider center console with a split-opening center bin and raised grab handles, electrically adjustable and massaging seats with optional second-row captain’s chairs, and floating-effect door card elements.

The dashboard features Kia’s latest ‘ccNC’ digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen, with embedded Google-based features, including Google Places and advanced voice assistance. Other goodies include a digital Key and V2L (vehicle to load) functionality to power external devices.

ICE with an Electric Twist

Spy photos Baldauf

Early reports suggested that the 3.8-liter V6 would carry over, but it now appears Kia might swap it for a smaller 3.5-liter Smartstream GDi V6, producing 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. A new turbocharged 2.5-litre Hybrid will join the range, generating a combined 329 Horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque.

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Unconfirmed reports suggest a 2.5-liter extended-range electric (EREV) variant could also join the lineup later. In this setup, the four-cylinder engine acts solely as a generator to charge the battery, while propulsion comes from twin electric motors through an electric all-wheel-drive system.

Competition and Reveal

With its innovative hybrid powertrain, high-end tech, and bold design, the next Telluride will undoubtedly continue its current sales momentum. Primary rivals include Hyundai’s Palisade, Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Grand Highlander, Mazda CX-90, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Nissan Pathfinder.

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The Telluride is expected to be revealed later this year, with sales scheduled to begin in early 2026. It’ll continue to be produced at Kia’s KMMG plant in West Point, Georgia.

So, what do you think: does the sharper, boxier Telluride work for you, or is it a step too far?