Designed and built right here in the USA, we are
very proud of the addition of the Telluride as our new flagship and large-sized
SUV contender! This concept was first shown in Detroit three years ago, and the
vehicle that seats 8 while offering an upscale vibe and A+ safety features was
looked at close up by the folks at Autoblog this past week. Going
head to head and straight to the throngs of battle with vehicles like the Ford
Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Telluride was designed at the Kia studio
in sunny Southern California. At first glance, the telltale and signature Kia
nameplates are present on the hood's leading edge, on top of the grille, and on
the liftgate.
The sculpted rear skid plate with integrated twin
exhaust tips is super cool and foreboding, with power being derived from a
3.8-liter direct-injection V6 making 291 horsepower, and 262 lb-ft of torque.
All these goodies are mated to an 8-speed automatic, along with 4-wheel
independent suspension and a body structure derived from very high-strength
steel monocoque shell. Making use of an amazingly modern technique, the rear
suspension of the Telluride is self-leveling, as the ride height is calibrated
depending on the load to preserve stability and precise control.
On top of the Smart, Eco, Sport, and Comfort
driving modes, Snow and AWD lock settings are on deck to get you through
weather situations that are less-than-favorable. We are very excited about the
on-demand all-wheel drive that will be an option: it tackles the job of
distributing torque between the front and rear wheels with input from the
driver, as well as road conditions gleaned from onboard tech. Based on AWD
coupling and constantly redistributing power between the front and rear wheels,
in an attempt to smooth the ride.
Inside, the pleasantly wide console sports the
large 10.25-inch color touchscreen, and the interior hooks to hang bags and
packs, ceiling-mounted climate control in the second row, as well as reclining
third-row seats are a few more qualities that make the Telluride stand out from
the competition. No car wants to be left without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
now, and this is another area where the Telluride thoroughly delivers. The Kia
Driver-wise assist system now has features that are firsts for a Kia Suv,
including a heads-up display, and blind spot collision avoidance assist rear.
The folks on duty delivering the daily scoop at Car
and Driver wholeheartedly appreciated the body-on-frame approach,
citing that an old-school vibe like the Tahoe or Yukon's presence is noticed.
Built at the Georgia plant alongside the Sorento, the Telluride is slated to go
on sale by May of 2019. The stakes are quite high within the SUV game, and this
vehicle named after a Colorado Film buff's dream location come true is
burgeoning and constantly ready to deliver the goods!
