2020 KIA TELLURIDE UNVEILED AT DETROIT MOTOR SHOW

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The 2020 Kia Telluride finally has a production-ready form, after Kia teasing its concept a couple of years back. Unveiled at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, this is the largest Kia to date.

Where does the 2020 Kia Telluride compete?

Kia is announcing its entry into the popular three-row, eight-seater, full-size SUV segment. In a space majorly contested between American players like Cadillac and GMC, the South Korean firm needed a product that could stand tall against established products. With the 2020 Kia Telluride, the company has got it right.

The SUV was designed at Kia’s California studio and will be assembled at its Georgia, USA facility for North American sales. The Telluride is the first Kia to be designed specifically for the American market. However, it is a suitable product for the UAE which has an affinity for big SUVs.

Kia has made a rather elegant SUV, unlike its other offerings in the segment that prefer to be flashy than understated.

What tech does it offer?

A 10.25-inch Kia UVO touchscreen takes centre stage on the Telluride’s dashboard, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for connectivity. Wireless phone charging, a total of six USB ports, and multi-Bluetooth connectivity for up to two devices at once are available features. Premium stereo units from Harman/Kardon are also available.

The Kia app allows Telluride cars to communicate with a paired smartphone to deliver “Send-to-Car” options for navigation, and to pre-condition the SUV’s climate control.

The 2020 Kia Telluride is one of the safest cars in its segment. It boasts of an exhaustive list of safety and driver assistance systems. You get pedestrian detection and avoidance assist, high beam assist, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance, driver attention monitor, adaptive cruise control, surround-view monitor, and highway driving assist.

The 2020 Kia Telluride possesses pleasant, ergonomic interiors.

The last is a nifty feature to spec your car with, enabling the Kia Telluride to stay centred in its lane and between vehicles on the highway. It also recognizes speed limit signs and automatically adjusts cruise control.

Big SUV needs big engines. Does the Telluride have one?

Indeed, it does. Kia has plonked a 3.8-litre V6 that makes 291hp and 355Nm under the Telluride’s hood. Paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, it sends power to either the front wheels or all, depending on the trim you choose. The all-wheel-drive is customizable. It offers an 80:20 front-to-rear split for all-weather situations, 65:35 for sporty handling, and 50:50 for gnarly off-road stuff.

The 2020 Kia Telluride can tow loads of up to 2,268kg and includes downhill brake control. A self-levelling rear suspension adjusts ride height according to vehicle load for enhanced stability. Finally, four-wheel independent suspension imparts the big SUV good handling in most situations.

Kia will start selling the Telluride in the latter half of this year. Pricing details are not out yet, and the company hasn’t disclosed a launch timeframe for UAE.

Take a look at Kia brands all other cars prices and specifications in the UAE.