KIA TELLURIDE

A highlight of the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan was Kia showcasing their brand new Telluride SUV. This will be the largest vehicle ever built by Kia with seating for up to eight people powered by a  291-hp 3.8-liter V6 to provide its owners with a go-anywhere, do-anything attitude when it comes to driving the Telluride. Designed at the Kia Design Center in Irvine, California, the SUV will be assembled in West Point, Georgia. During Detroit's auto show, Kia promoted Telluride as a durable sport utility vehicle built so that passengers will be as comfortable off-roading through rugged terrain as they are cruising along a freeway.

Not only could auto show attendees get a close up look at the Telluride but they could also jump inside one to do some off-roading inside the Cobo Center exhibition hall.  Kia had drivers take passengers around a dirt covered path in a Telluride that had bumps, curves, hills and ruts to demonstrate the rugged appeal of this brand new vehicle.

Join me for a ride in a Kia Telluride:

 VEHICLE DRIVING FEATURES

• Atkinson Cycle LAMBDA II 3.8L V6 GDI engine producing 291 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm 
• 8-speed automatic transmission 
• Four-wheel independent suspension
• Strong, stiff, and torsionally rigid body structure due to the monocoque shell that is composed of 59.4 percent advanced high-strength steel
• Self-leveling rear suspension
• Ride height is automatically calibrated depending on vehicle load to optimize control and stability  
• Choice of four drive modes – Smart, Eco, Sport and Comfort – each using different settings for powertrain, drivetrain, and steering effort mapping to provide the desired driving experience. In addition to the four regular drive modes, drivers can select from two different settings, Snow and AWD Lock, for specific driving conditions 
• Available active on-demand all-wheel drive helps provide enhanced driving performance by actively distributing torque between front and rear wheels depending on road conditions and driver input. The system utilizes electro-hydraulic AWD coupling to precisely activate the multi-plate clutch plate, constantly redistributing the amount of power transferred to the front and rear wheels. During normal driving, power is distributed according to the drive mode selected. “Eco” and “Smart” modes deliver 100 percent power to the front wheels. “Comfort” and “Snow” modes deliver 80 percent power to the front wheels and 20 percent to rear. Sport mode splits the power 65-35 percent between front and back. “Lock” mode delivers power evenly to all four wheels 
• Standard towing rated up to 5,000 pounds 
• Downhill Brake Control (DBC) maintains a controlled descent on steep roads 

VEHICLE SAFETY FEATURES

• 7 airbags (dual front advanced air bags, dual front seat-mounted side air bags, side curtain air bags with rollover sensor, driver's side knee air bag) Antilock braking 
• Vehicle stability management 
• Downhill brake control 
•  Hill-start assist control 
• Tire pressure monitoring system
•  “Kia Drive Wise” Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)
•  Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
•  Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian detection (FCA) 
• High Beam Assist (HBA) 
•  Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
•  Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) 
• Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear (BCA-R) 
• Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM) 
•  Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
•  Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) 
• Parking Distance Warning – Forward  and Reverse Surround View Monitor (SVM)

• Highway Driving Assist (HDA): Uses radar systems to interpret lane markings so the vehicle can control steering, acceleration and braking to automatically adjust distance from the vehicle detected ahead. HDA is also designed to recognize speed limits on federal highways and adjust speed accordingly  
• Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear (BCA-R): A camera is designed to track vehicle lane changes and, if it detects an object in the intended path, the BCA-R system applies brake pressure to the front wheel of the opposite side to help maintain the previous course 
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA): An extension of Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW), RCCA may apply brakes if an impending impact is detected 
• Lane Following Assist (LFA): When Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go is activated, LFA is designed to monitor lane markings to help keep the Telluride centered in its lane Safe Exit Assist (SEA): In certain situations, if the system detects an object approaching from the rear, SEA will override attempts to deactivate Electronic Child Safety Lock until the detected object has passed
•  Head-Up Display: Added information makes this system especially useful. Provides turn-by-turn navigation, speed and local speed limits, smart cruise control and blind-spot warnings  
• Driver Talk: Uses a microphone to enhance communication with second- and third-row passengers  
• Quiet Mode: Cuts audio output in second and third row so the audio choices of the front occupants are only heard in that row  
• Rear Occupant Alert: Uses ultrasonic sensors designed to detect child or pet movement in the second and third row after the car’s doors have been locked and then can issue audible alerts to the driver

ALL NEW 2020 Kia Telluride

The Telluride looks like a great vehicle to get around in! For more information about it and other vehicles manufactured by Kia CLICK HERE. Specifically designed for the American drivers, the all-new 2020 Kia Telluride made a great debut at the 2019 North American International Auto Show. Look for it arriving at Kia dealerships later this year.

For more information about Detroit's annual auto show, go to naias.com