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Fans have been waiting for three years to see the new Kia SUV at dealerships. The Telluride is the largest model in the lineup, debuted as 2020 YM. So, the next season is not going to bring too many updates, although we can hear some rumors about potential upgrades. Well, we will analyze them in this review, as well as the offer the 2021 Kia Telluride will carry over from the launch edition.
The Korean carmaker is achieving good sales with its smaller models, Sportage and Sorento. This was the indicator of expansion. The 2021 Kia Telluride is 197-inches long SUV, with room for eight passengers. Higher trim levels and optional upgrades can reduce the seating capacity to seven.
Under the hood of the new model is the new engine. The carmaker didn’t bring a V8. Still, a 3.8-liter V6 is the most potent powerplant in the family. News for the upcoming season is reporting the SUV could get a turbocharged engine with more power. Another portion of speculations is about a hybrid drivetrain. Well, something is going on, definitely.
Finally, the closest Telluride sibling is Hyundai Palisade. Two Korean manufacturers are joining forces in some areas and their new SUVs are ready to take on the leaders of the mid-size segment. In the future, both carmakers are planning an expansion, and the first vehicles we will see are Hyundai’s premium SUV released by the Genesis brand.
2021 Updates For Telluride SUV
As said, the new season is not going to bring too many changes. The same trim levels will cover the offer, but the company is planning updates in the engine room. Currently, there is only a single drivetrain, a V6 unit that is capable to produce enough power as other mid-size three-row SUVs. But, the carmaker is going to expand the offer, sooner or later.
It could happen already in the second year. The loudest rumors are those about the hybrid engine. Well, we are listening about such a possibility for a quite while. Sorento is a smaller SUV that also needs attention. The new generation is arriving in 2021, and we will see if Kia is bringing a hybrid engine. If it happens on this model, we can expect the same move on the Telluride. The important fact is that Sorento is using a smaller engine. Also, we will monitor updates on the Hyundai Palisade, since both companies are going to share hybrid technology when it becomes available.
2021 Kia Telluride Turbo
Some sources are reporting that chiefs are strongly considering the twin-turbo drivetrain for the large SUV. It is a 3.3-liter V6 displacement capable of producing 365 horsepower for the Kia Stinger fastback car. Well, this is a type of an upgrade that would offer buyers extra choices and more power. On the other hand, chiefs were not too glad to speak about it. All we could hear about the twin-turbo engine for the 2021 Kia Telluride was: “it was discussed.
Specs
Until new units make their way to the production, a 3.8-liter V6 remains the sole source of energy for the mid-size three-row model. The 2021 Kia Telluride is offering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The power goes to front wheels by default, through an eight-speed automatic transmission. An alternative is an all-wheel drive, which consumes more fuel. The gas mileage of the new SUV is not so impressive. The FWD setup returns 23 mpg, while Kia didn’t fix issues with high consumptions of its AWD system. For Telluride, the rate drops to 21 miles per gallon. The SUV can tow 5,000 pounds properly equipped.
Seating Capacity, Cargo Space
The 2021 Kia Telluride is an eight-seater by default. There are three rows of seats with a 2+3+3 configuration. Captain’s chairs can replace the bench in the middle row. In this case, the seating capacity drops to seven and improves the comfort for passengers in the middle row. This upgrade is available either through individual purchases or by picking some of the high-end trim levels.
There are 21 cubic feet behind the third row, which is more than most competitors in the mid-size segment can offer. Still, this is not enough, so if you want more space, you can fold the rear bench and get 25 cubic feet more of cargo space. Again, if you need extra, then the maximum volume you can get from the 2021 Kia Telluride is 87 cubic feet behind the first row. Not too many other SUVs in the same class will be so generous.
2021 Kia Telluride Trim Levels and Prices
The 2021 Kia Telluride will carry over trim levels from its predecessor. The base offer includes the LX package, which costs just under $32,000. The S model adds valuable features that will be priced at $2,500 more than the LX. The EX is coming with a larger touchscreen display and wheels, as well as a higher price. The most expensive offer is for the Telluride SX, and the MSRP starts at $43,000.
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