New 2026 Kia Telluride.
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A while ago, I posted photos of a 2026 Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, comparing the designs of these new generations.
In these early spy shots both models appeared to have almost the same greenhouse. At least up to the rear doors. These new photos show something different. It now looks like both models will indeed be quite different, as it should be. And as it was in the previous generation.
The Kia Telluride is currently the most modern-looking of the two. It seems the next generation will adopt a much more angular design similar to the next Palisade. From these new spy shots, it seems the final product will adopt plenty of current Kia design cues. And might end up looking a lot like the Kia EV9.
So far, Kia has introduced pretty original designs that look very different from those of their Hyundai counterparts.
Just like the next Palisade, the new Kia Telluride is rumored to get a new smaller V6 Turbo as a standard powertrain. With a new 2.5 Liter Hybrid as an option.
As mentioned earlier, the Telluride’s sales numbers in the US have been up every single year since it came out. Up to 115,504 last year. There is no doubt that a Hybrid option will make the next generation even more popular.
Nice car Asian lovely
Notice the Palisade has a small window after the A pillar where the exterior mirriors are located, the Telluride doesn’t just like the EV9.
Also the Chrome on the PALISADE connecting from the C pillar goes all the way up to the A pillars on the Hyundai, the TELLURIDE doesn’t have no chrome just like the EV9.
This is enough evidence to know that both the Palisade and Telluride may have similar greenhouses but obviously there is a difference after the rear doors. My bet is the Telluride is taking its cues from the EV9.
I only wish that the B pillars from the last generation Telluride went to the 2nd generation as well.
A 3rd difference. The pillars on the rear doors for the 2nd row. The Palisade’s pillars are more slanted. The Telluride’s pillars stand up more straight. This then shapes the 2nd row windows to be shaped differently between the two. This pillar for the 2nd row on Telluride is exactly same as the EV9’s. This also makes it look as if the Telluride may be a few inches longer than the Palisade when focusing on the 2nd row windows at the side profiles.
A 4th difference their tail lights. If you look at the tail lights on the Telluride as far up as possible that shape starts taking your eyes letting you know it is not finished and cut off by the disguise. It will be just a more evolved last generation Telluride similarities or the EV9’s.
Also the A pillars: The Palisade’s A pillars are more slanted and the Telluride’s A pillars stand more up just like the EV9’s a pillars also stand more up and isnt as slanted as the Hyundai’s.
If you get more spyshots instead of using the Palisade to compare with the Telluride, try the EV9 next time.
In conclusion: the only thing the Telluride and Palisade have in common are black A pillars but arent angled the same nor are the pillars for the 2nd row angled the same.. The Palisade and Telluride SUVs are not likeTahoe and Escalade. Once again the Hyundai and Kia are on the same platform with different designs. Either you want a Land Rover knock off or a gas or hybrid version of the Kia EV9.
A 5th difference
The exhaust pipes. The Telluride’s exhaust pipes are on the left the Palisade’s exhaust pipes are on the right.
The Telluride’s brake lights part of it is on the tail gate a thin horizontal bar going across it.
The Palisade doesn’t have that. So the backends between the Palisade and Telluride are also different and not clones.
I’m thinking of buying a Telluride is it available with captin seats on the second row?