Spied! Kia Telluride Caught for the First Time

The Kia Telluride has been spotted for the first time by our spy photographers, and it appears that the massive crossover’s exterior design won’t change much as it transitions into a full-fledged production vehicle. Slotting above the Sorento, the Telluride will be Kia’s largest crossover and should feature seating for up to eight passengers.

Despite all the plastic camouflage up front, it’s clear that the concept’s four ice cube LED headlights remain intact on the production version. It also appears to have an oversized tiger nose grille, which should help give the Telluride an aggressive look and plenty of presence on the road. From the side, the Telluride’s boxy proportions come into perspective and it also features large windows. Out back, you can see the thin curved LED taillights peeking through, further hinting that changes from concept to production were minimal.

This particular prototype was also caught following a Volvo XC90, which could hint that Kia is positioning the Telluride as a more upscale three-row crossover. When the Telluride Concept was first introduced at the 2016 Detroit auto show, Kia billed it as a glimpse at a future premium seven-passenger large crossover. The fact that this prototype has been snapped with a Volvo XC90 could be further evidence that the Korean automaker is benchmarking premium offerings for its large crossover.

Although the concept shown at the 2016 Detroit auto show featured a 400-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 3.5-liter V-6 and an electric motor, don’t expect it to find its way under the hood of the production Telluride. Instead, expect a naturally aspirated 3.3-liter V-6, which is currently rated at 290 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque in the Sorento and Cadenza. An eight-speed automatic will likely be the only transmission available.

Photo source: CarPix

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