Range-Extender Option Could Be Sold Alongside Conventional Hybrid
The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade have been two of the most respected and successful three-row crossovers since they launched a couple of years ago. The Palisade came first, which is why it’s the first of the two to receive a second generation. However, Hyundai and Kia often develop related models in unison, and the all-new Telluride won’t be far behind.
According to a report by the South Korean newspaper Maeil Business, the next Telluride could have a bold new Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) powertrain, which could be a game-changer for the segment. Kia is said to be evaluating this powertrain for its three-row SUV.
EREV Offers Best Of Both Worlds
Announced by Kia earlier this year at the 2025 Kia CEO Investor Day, the EREV powertrain features electric motors that power the wheels. There is also a gas engine – in this case, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder – but it’s used exclusively as a generator to recharge the batteries.
This allows the vehicle to function as a normal EV for the most part, while the gas engine completely eliminates range anxiety by keeping the batteries charged. In fact, a range of over 600 miles is possible with this setup, which far surpasses the maximum range of today’s modern EVs. For instance, the current Kia EV9 three-row electric SUV can only manage up to 304 miles on a full charge.
According to the report, the EREV system is said to be under consideration for the next Telluride, which would complement the more conventional hybrid that’s also expected for the next Telluride. We already know the new Palisade is available with a 329-horsepower powertrain, and since the two SUVs have always been closely related, we expect the same powertrain in the new Telluride.
The potential combination of a gas model, a new hybrid, and an EREV for the next Telluride would represent the most diverse range of powertrains in a single three-row SUV model.
Range-Extender Powertrains Are Steadily Expanding
Stellantis
Kia’s future EREV would not be the first powertrain of its kind. The discontinued BMW i3 REx had a gas range extender powertrain to increase range, while a more modern example is the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, which has a targeted range of 690 miles, thanks to its 3.6-liter V6 that acts as a generator.
However, a possible Kia Telluride EREV would be one of the first SUVs and three-row models to incorporate such a powertrain.
Performance and powertrains aside, the next Kia Telluride has already been spied. The details remain hidden, but we expect a boxier look than the current model and visual cues that are shared with the futuristic EV9.
We expect the new Telluride to be unveiled before the end of 2025. Hopefully, Kia will confirm the possibility of the EREV powertrain as an option by then.