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Looks like: A futuristic take on the Volvo XC90, with exterior styling that actually looks like it could make it onto a production vehicle
Defining characteristics: A huge second row with seats that can recline almost flat; doors that open in opposite directions to a full 90 degrees; large tiger nose front grille
Ridiculous features: “Smart Sensors” mounted in the seats that can read occupants’ vital health information; fingerprint-activated push-button starter; light rejuvenation system that uses LEDs to create therapeutic light in the cabin
Chances of being mass-produced: Fifty percent. Most of the interior technology is a bit too forward-thinking to make it into a production vehicle, but it would not be a surprise to see Kia produce a large luxury SUV with similar exterior styling.
Related: More Detroit Auto Show Coverage
Kia unveiled its futuristic take on the three-row luxury SUV, the Telluride concept, at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
This isn’t Kia’s first foray into luxury territory. The K900, the automaker’s full-size luxury sedan, started as a concept that (surprisingly) ended up in production, so the Telluride could be a signal that it’s ready to jump into the large luxury SUV segment. The Telluride sits on a stretched Sorento platform, wears upright styling and includes some exciting technology innovations in the cabin with an emphasis on second-row comfort and health monitoring.
Exterior
The Telluride’s exterior is fairly innocuous for a concept. Many of its design cues, from the larger tiger nose front grille to the wheels and straightforward exterior lighting elements, would not look out of place on a production car. If Kia does make a large SUV, these features have a good chance of making it onto real streets.
This is, however, still a concept, and there are a few elements that won’t likely make it, including the 22-inch wheels and the doors that are designed to open in opposite directions to form a large entrance to the cabin. The doors look dramatic, but the absence of a B-pillar might make it too difficult to pass crash tests.
