South Korean automaker Kia has turned an SUV developed specifically for North America into a steady competitor to the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Traverse. Its Telluride has surpassed 100,000 U.S. sales for 4 consecutive years, establishing a sustained presence in the market for family vehicles.
Kia sold 110,038 Tellurides during the first 9 months of 2026, up about 19% from 92,498 a year earlier, according to the company’s U.S. sales figures. The milestone comes as a redesigned version adds a hybrid option to a model that had already built a substantial business with gasoline engines.
The Telluride entered that competition with an emphasis on giving buyers more space, equipment and refinement for their money. When MotorTrend named the original model its 2020 SUV of the Year, the publication praised its roomy cabin, quiet ride and extensive standard equipment, along with interior materials and finishing that compared favorably with more expensive vehicles.
That assessment extended beyond an award. In a 2020 comparison of 9 family SUVs, including the Explorer and Traverse, MotorTrend ranked the Telluride first. Its reviewers singled out the combination of interior quality, practical features and value, providing an early indication that Kia could compete on the overall product rather than price alone.
Sales subsequently grew from 58,604 in the model’s 2019 debut year to 123,281 in 2025, an increase of about 110%. The Telluride first crossed the 100,000 threshold in 2023 and has exceeded it every year since, according to Kia’s investor relations data.
Kia’s strategy combined a vehicle tailored to North American preferences and driving conditions with local manufacturing. The Telluride is assembled in West Point, Ga., and offers seating for up to 8 people. Unlike Kia vehicles developed for sale across multiple regions, the model was conceived around North America.
The redesign introduced this year as a 2027 model continues that approach. Kia increased passenger and cargo space and added features that accommodate everyday routines. Its myQ Connected Garage system can operate compatible garage doors through the vehicle’s display and automatically open or close them as the driver approaches or leaves home.
The new hybrid has become a substantial part of the lineup. Kia sold 45,155 hybrid Tellurides through September, accounting for about 41% of the model’s sales during the period. The addition gives the company another powertrain choice in a vehicle whose annual sales had already exceeded 100,000 before the hybrid arrived.
The result is a significant contributor to Kia’s American business, not just a successful launch. The Telluride accounted for roughly 1 in 6 vehicles the company sold in the U.S. during the first 9 months of 2026.
