Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia, confirmed that the Telluride and the Seltos will gain a hybrid variant, at the 2025 CEO Investor Day on April 9, 2025. At the ‘Next-Gen Hybrid System Tech Day’ on April 21, 2025, the Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) outlined the advancements in the new hybrid system which enters production this month on the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid.
Needless to say, the second model that will receive the system is the Kia Telluride Hybrid. And going by a Maeil Business Newspaper report from August 2024, the hybrid model’s sales will begin in January 2026. Unlike the Palisade, which is built in South Korea, the Telluride is made in the U.S., at the company’s facility in West Point, Georgia.
Range & MPG
Hyundai unveiled the Palisade Hybrid with the new system for the U.S. at the 2025 New York Auto Show, targeting 30 mpg highway and a 619-mile range. The Telluride Hybrid, sharing the same powertrain, is expected to deliver similar numbers. It should be tuned to develop around 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-62 mph time of around 7.3 seconds.
Features
HMG outlined many features that it has developed for new hybrid models, including e-AWD, e-VMC 2.0, e-Handling 2.0, e-EHA 2.0, e-Ride 2.0, Stay Mode, V2L, and Smart Regenerative Braking. e-AWD adds a rear motor to boost performance, while e-VMC 2.0 improves stability using independent torque control. e-Handling 2.0 enhances cornering stability, and e-EHA 2.0 refines emergency steering responses.
e-Ride 2.0 reduces pitch and bounce on rough roads. Stay Mode powers amenities without the engine, aided by a reservation feature. V2L allows external device charging. Hierarchical Predictive Control and Smart Regenerative Braking optimize battery use and fuel efficiency by predicting routes and managing regenerative braking.
Design & Interior
Going by recent spy shots, the next-gen Telluride retains its boxy shape but takes on a fresh identity, featuring a larger, concave grille and vertical C-shaped headlights. As seen in our illustration, the sides stay flat with a straight shoulder line, square windows, slimmer mirrors, and sleeker roof rails. The rear carries an upright stance with vertical lights, hinting at more cargo space.
Inside, the cabin is expected to sport an EV9-inspired design with two-tone interiors, a wider center console, and redesigned door panels. Expect around 30 inches of digital displays running Kia’s ccNC system, flush-fitted into the dashboard. Features like dual wireless chargers, a 14-speaker audio system, heated and ventilated second- and third-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, a digital rearview mirror, and OTA updates are anticipated.
Pricing
When it comes out around early next year in the U.S., the Telluride Hybrid is expected to start at around USD 50,000, positioned as a cheaper and conventional alternative to the all-electric Kia EV9.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
