New 2020 Kia Telluride 3-Row SUV Debuts Looking Big and Boxy

In a surprise move, the 2020 Kia Telluride has debuted four months ahead of schedule.

The three-row, eight-passenger SUV was originally scheduled to debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January but made an unexpected debut at New York Fashion Week this weekend. The SUV that debuted has some rugged extras that obviously won’t come with the production model, as it was a bespoke creation influenced by fashion designer Brandon Maxwell’s Texas-inspired collection that debuted alongside the Telluride.

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We’re not sure which parts of this ranch-ready creation will make it to the production model (the snorkel, winch, off-road lights, ram bar, side ladder, luggage rack, and rear-mounted spare tire surely won’t), but the general boxy yet modern design is there for all to see. The big, rectangular upright grille uses a chrome mesh and Telluride is spelled out boldly on the hood and on the tailgate. Around back, it gets two-piece vertical taillights, while saddle-colored leather and natural wood finishes can be seen inside of this one-off SUV.

When it debuts, the Telluride will be powered by a V6 (probably optional) and will be much bigger and more luxurious than the seven-passenger Sorento. A turbocharged four-cylinder is also likely to be offered as the base engine.

The 2020 Kia Telluride, which was designed at Kia‘s California design studio and will be built in Georgia, is expected to land at dealerships in early 2019 and will compete with vehicles like the Honda Pilot, Volkswagen Atlas, and Subaru Ascent. It will share a platform with Hyundai’s upcoming three-row crossover, predicted to be called the Palisade.

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