Kia might not be known for making big, brash SUVs, but that's exactly what it's delivered at NAIAS 2016. The hybrid-electric all-wheel-drive Telluride concept looks kind of like a Bentley EXP 9 F crossed with a Chevy Suburban, and is significantly longer, wider and taller than the current Sorento SUV. Plus, it appears to actually "care" about its passengers.
The Telluride features three-row seven-passenger seating, and is built on a modified Sorento chassis with a wheelbase stretched by 11.9 inches (302 mm) to a total of 121.3 inches (3,081 mm). Front and second-row seating takes the form of black leather captain's seats, while the third row is a bench seat. The second-row seats fold back almost flat, and have fold-away footrests.
Seating is accessed via traditional front-hinged front doors, and rear-hinged back doors.
The captain's seats all have sensors embedded in the seat backs, which capture a passenger's "vital health information." Data from those sensors is displayed on screens in the interior door panels. Should it should be determined that a passenger has low energy levels, an LED panel in the roof above them is activated, providing energy-boosting light therapy – it's known as the Light Emitted Rejuvenation (LER) system.
Second-row passengers also have access to a new Swipe Command system, in which they can quickly scroll and select desired media by simply swiping their hand. If that media is music, it's subsequently played back through either the seven-speaker Harman Kardon audio system or through a set of portable Harman Kardon headphones that charge wirelessly while stored.
Power is provided by a 3.5-liter gasoline direct injected (GDI) V6 engine and an electric motor. They put out 270 and 130 hp respectively, for a combined output of 400 hp. Highway fuel economy is over 30 mpg (7.8 l/100 km).
While there are no plans to bring the Telluride itself to production, Kia has stated that it "suggests styling of a possible future premium large SUV in the brand's lineup."