2026 Kia Telluride

The first-generation Kia Telluride blew us away when it debuted in 2020. While Kia has dabbled in three-rows over the years, they were either too small for a full complement of adults (Sorento) or discontinued so quickly they made no impact at all (RIP, Borrego, we hardly knew ye). But the Telluride is a true Goldilocks — this midsize crossover is notably spacious inside, comfortable, and loaded with features for an accessible price. We've voted the Telluride as the best in its class ever since, which is impressive when you consider how many rivals were introduced during that time. It looks like a new model is on the way, and we're curious to see if it's as good or perhaps even better.

Spotlight: What we know so far

Kia hasn't released any information on the next Telluride, but we can get an idea of what to expect from the related Hyundai Palisade that has already been unveiled. In the South Korean domestic market, the Palisade's V6 engine has been replaced by a 281-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, which is only 10 fewer hp than the current V6. More intriguing is the hybrid variant that increases output to 334 hp. Elsewhere, the Telluride may also grow a little larger, and we expect styling to adopt more of Kia's current design language.

Competitors to consider

If the next Telluride is anything like the current model, you should start your three-row SUV search there. The next logical pick would be the related Hyundai Palisade, which is a bit more luxurious than the Kia. Outside of this seemingly insurmountable duo, we also highly rate the Toyota Grand Highlander, especially for its economical hybrid variant. We also recommend the Mazda CX-90 for its interior refinement, but its smaller rear seats and cargo capacity should also be considered.

With a new Kia Telluride on the horizon, we're eager to find out if it can maintain its class-leading status for another generation.