Telluride’s Bold Move

Kia Telluride’s Future

The Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade have become big names in the three-row crossover world since they first hit the market. The Palisade set the pace, rolling out its second generation already, with the all-new Telluride ready to follow suit soon. While Hyundai and Kia often collaborate on their models, the next Telluride is stirring things up with the prospect of a bold new powertrain, according to South Korea’s Maeil Business Newspaper.

What’s All The Buzz About?

Think about the potential with the Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) powertrain Kia is considering for the Telluride. The idea here is an electric motor taking care of propulsion, while a trusty 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine would generally work as a generator to keep the batteries juiced up. This melding of features could grant it a driving range of over 600 miles, a significant increase over many modern electric vehicles like the Kia EV9, which caps at around 304 miles on a full charge.

Power Mix

This EREV system might sit alongside a more conventional hybrid setup in the upcoming Telluride. Considering the new Palisade’s rumbling 329-horsepower engine, Kia will likely equip the Telluride with similar power to maintain the family resemblance. This would mean the Telluride could offer gas, hybrid, and EREV options—the complete trio for powertrain diversity in a single three-row SUV.

EREV Growing Popularity

The idea of using a gas engine as a range extender isn’t entirely new. The BMW i3 once offered a range extender, and more recently, the Ram 1500 Ramcharger boasts a 690-mile targeted range using a 3.6-liter V6 generator approach. However, incorporating such tech into a traditional SUV and particularly a family-friendly three-row model, as with the Telluride, would be quite groundbreaking. Spy shots of the next Telluride hint at a more robust silhouette with design inspiration borrowed from the stylish EV9.

Anticipation for the new Telluride is growing, with hopes that it will roll out by late 2025. If Kia gives the green light to the EREV option, it could shake up the three-row SUV scene, combining the freedom of EVs with the assurance of a traditional powertrain.