Photo: Instagram | Jlord8
In 2016, Kia saw an opportunity to expand its crossover lineup with a new flagship model. Thus, they previewed it with a concept car, and three years later, they introduced the production variant.
Named the Telluride, it is Kia's largest vehicle made in the United States. It comes to life at West Point in Georgia and shares its construction and numerous other components with the Hyundai Palisade. Sitting above the Sorento in the company's crossover family, it won the 2020 World Car of the Year award, and in 2022, it received refreshed looks and other enhancements as part of the mid-cycle refresh.
Besides the new front and rear ends and some tech updates, the 2023 Kia Telluride is also available in the X-Line and X-Pro configurations. The new trim levels have more rugged looks inside and out for some mild off-roading. The engine carries over from the pre-facelifted iteration and is the same 3.8-liter V6. It develops 291 hp (295 ps/217 kW) and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque, deployed to the front wheels through an eight-speed transmission. The all-wheel drive is still an option on all grades save for the new ones.
Now, we all know what the Kia Telluride is all about, as it is pretty much a high-riding alternative to the once-popular minivans with seating for up to eight people. But what if the South Korean automaker decided to expand the range with a second body style? Some say a crossover coupe would be the best proposal moneywise, and they wouldn't be wrong, as such models have become more popular these past few years. However, in this instance, it was the pickup that caught our eye, as rendered by Jlord8.
Shared on social media a few hours ago, the digital illustration was based on the pre-facelifted Telluride and imagines the obvious. The CGI model looks pretty much the same up to the C-pillars, and further back, it has an open bed design with smaller rear quarter panels. The increased hauling ability has arrived at the expense of the third row, as such a vehicle would obviously be a five-seater.
We think it would have looked far better with some off-road upgrades, something along the veins of a bulbar, a front winch, a roof rack with added lights, new wheels wrapped in fat tires for improved traction, and a rear bumper made of steel. Nonetheless, since it would still use the same construction, it wouldn't be that impressive off the beaten path even with the added gear, as it's not a body-on-frame vehicle.
But would there actually be room in Kia's portfolio for a Telluride pickup, and would it sell in enough numbers to make it viable? If it retains the crossover's pricing, that would be a no, as you could get a brand-new Ford F-150 for similar money.
Besides the new front and rear ends and some tech updates, the 2023 Kia Telluride is also available in the X-Line and X-Pro configurations. The new trim levels have more rugged looks inside and out for some mild off-roading. The engine carries over from the pre-facelifted iteration and is the same 3.8-liter V6. It develops 291 hp (295 ps/217 kW) and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque, deployed to the front wheels through an eight-speed transmission. The all-wheel drive is still an option on all grades save for the new ones.
Now, we all know what the Kia Telluride is all about, as it is pretty much a high-riding alternative to the once-popular minivans with seating for up to eight people. But what if the South Korean automaker decided to expand the range with a second body style? Some say a crossover coupe would be the best proposal moneywise, and they wouldn't be wrong, as such models have become more popular these past few years. However, in this instance, it was the pickup that caught our eye, as rendered by Jlord8.
Shared on social media a few hours ago, the digital illustration was based on the pre-facelifted Telluride and imagines the obvious. The CGI model looks pretty much the same up to the C-pillars, and further back, it has an open bed design with smaller rear quarter panels. The increased hauling ability has arrived at the expense of the third row, as such a vehicle would obviously be a five-seater.
We think it would have looked far better with some off-road upgrades, something along the veins of a bulbar, a front winch, a roof rack with added lights, new wheels wrapped in fat tires for improved traction, and a rear bumper made of steel. Nonetheless, since it would still use the same construction, it wouldn't be that impressive off the beaten path even with the added gear, as it's not a body-on-frame vehicle.
But would there actually be room in Kia's portfolio for a Telluride pickup, and would it sell in enough numbers to make it viable? If it retains the crossover's pricing, that would be a no, as you could get a brand-new Ford F-150 for similar money.
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