- The redesigned Kia Telluride will launch for the 2027 model year
- Kia confirmed it won’t be selling a 2026 Telluride as it preps for the second-generation 3-row SUV
The Kia Telluride will skip the 2026 model year, the automaker confirmed Wednesday, as it teased an all-new version of its midsize 3-row SUV.
“As the current 2025 Telluride sells down on schedule, we are preparing the all-new 2027 to debut in dealer showrooms in 2026,” Kia spokesperson James Bell confirmed to Kelley Blue Book.
Entering its second generation, the popular 3-row SUV will launch for the 2027 model year and go on sale in early 2026. In the meantime, dealers will sell off what remains of the 2025 Kia Telluride. The current first-gen model remains highly recommendable, and this year marked its sixth in a row as the Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award Winner among midsize SUVs.
It’s uncommon but not unusual for an automaker to skip a year during a model changeover. The Acura MDX skipped the 2021 model year before the redesigned version launched for 2022. Jeep discontinued the Cherokee for the 2024 and 2025 model years, then resurrected the 2026 Jeep Cherokee as a bigger, bolder, hybrid SUV. The Dodge Challenger essentially got absorbed into the new Dodge Charger, offered in 2- and 4-door models.
It happens, but it’s rare for a vehicle as popular as the Telluride. Since arriving for the 2020 model year, the Telluride has won over consumers with its Range Rover-esque style and value-packed features.
Kia aims to improve on that winning formula with the redesigned 2027 Telluride. Like the first-gen Telluride, it will share some mechanical parts with the Hyundai Palisade, which was redesigned for 2026 with a hybrid option for the first time.
Expect Kia to follow suit in a month. The teaser images released Wednesday preview the reveal set for Nov. 20 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Until then, enjoy what’s left of the first-generation model.
