Following closely on the heels of the redesigned Hyundai Palisade, anticipation is building for the all-new 2026 Kia Telluride. It appears the upcoming Telluride will share even closer ties with its Hyundai cousin than previous models, as suggested by recent glimpses of the vehicle.
The side window design, as observed in spy photographs, appears strikingly similar to the new Palisade. This design mirroring indicates a potential move towards shared components between the two SUVs, likely driven by cost efficiencies in the development of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
2026 Kia Telluride Front Design Speculation
The current generation Kia Telluride debuted shortly after the present Palisade, hinting at a potentially imminent unveiling of the 2026 model. With the second-generation Palisade already introduced in late 2024, the official reveal of the new Telluride could be just around the corner.
Like their predecessors, the 2026 Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are expected to share a significant amount of their underlying architecture and engineering. While the exterior designs may differentiate themselves, core elements beneath the surface will likely be common to both models. However, early indications suggest that the design language of this second generation might bring the two SUVs even closer in appearance than before.
Side View of the Expected 2026 Kia Telluride
The redesigned Palisade utilizes an updated version of the existing platform. Notably, in the Korean market, the Palisade has transitioned away from the traditional V6 engine, opting instead for a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. A new hybrid powertrain option is also available for the Palisade.
These powertrain options are widely expected to be mirrored in the 2026 Kia Telluride. Rumors suggest the hybrid Telluride will also employ a 2.5-liter engine, targeting around 300 horsepower. Fuel economy for the hybrid is projected to be in the 25 to 30 MPG range.
However, the author expresses skepticism about the real-world benefits of this hybrid system, particularly if it comes at a premium price. The anticipated fuel economy improvement over the current V6’s 22 MPG average may not be substantial enough to justify the potential added cost and the trade-off of the V6’s smooth power delivery.
The author questions the trend of replacing robust V6 engines with high-output four-cylinder turbo engines, suggesting that the real-world MPG gains are often minimal. They point to Honda’s continued use of V6 engines in models like the Pilot and Passport as a potentially wiser approach, offering a more refined driving experience that could stand out in a market increasingly dominated by four-cylinder turbos.
