RUMOR! Kia To Add An Even MORE Luxurious Telluride To Its Stable...

This week will bring forward the official launch of the all-new Genesis GV80, which is long overdue. There's just one thing though.

We've been hearing some things through the grapevine and the word on the street suggests if you're not too enthused about the all-new GV80 you should probably hang on. That's because we're hearing that the Kia Telluride will be receiving a more luxurious trim.

This would include options such as a two-tone roof to make its design pop a bit more, and an off-road package with skid plates, brush guard and knobby tires for that adventurous look. As you'd suspect, there will be an increased palette with more exterior colors to choose from and several new interior colors to choose from.

Frankly, we're pretty excited at the prospect of this since we're kind of disappointed with the all-new GV80's first images.

And if our friends at Kia are listening, this one's on the house: This package should be called the Black Diamond.

We'll keep you dialed in to the latest news, right here on AutoSpies.com! Stay tuned.

PUGPROUD - 1/13/2020 5:38:55 AM

+2 Boost

With car prices on the rise value will increasingly become a factor in purchase decision making. More luxury at lower prices than Germans equals greater value and higher sales.

MDarringer - 1/13/2020 8:44:27 AM

0 Boost

Indeed and I think value could be a strategy to keep sedans selling. Ford could have done a great thing with the new Focus sedan by producing it for the USA and loading it with value for example. The new Escape is priced OK but it's not really a value at its price. The Explorer is squarely overpriced for what it is and people who are considering it among other will walk away because it's not a value. The Aviator by contrast is effectively a $100K product for $70K, so it's a value.

Truthy - 1/13/2020 1:31:38 PM

+2 Boost

I read that a large percentage of the Tellurides are top of the line. Why not provide even more of what the consumer wants?

MDarringer - 1/13/2020 6:26:20 PM

+1 Boost

Top of the line Tellurides do not last long on the lot.

SuperCarEnthusiast - 1/13/2020 7:19:24 AM

+1 Boost

Make it so!

MDarringer - 1/13/2020 8:11:20 AM

0 Boost

A while back when the Optima was hot, Kia discovered that it was being cross-shopped against the Lexus ES, so they created an up level above the up level in response. The Telluride is excellent and adding to it will only make it sell more. The Telluride is what VW thinks the Atlas is, but while the Atlas feel like it's leftover, parts-bin Mitsubishi, the Telluride doesn't know it's a premium crossover equal to or better than the Lexus RX and its price reflects that.

Truthy - 1/13/2020 4:59:16 PM

+1 Boost

The consumer seems to know the value. I see a lot of Tellurides on the road, especially surprising as it is new. I wonder who it is stealing sales from. I believe Nissan, VW, Honda Pilot and GM SUVs are the likely losers here. Any spies have info on this?

jtz7 - 1/13/2020 9:29:57 AM

+1 Boost

The GV80 just looks like a plain SUV they rushed trying to give Genesis a crossover. The Telluride the designers designed well.CThat side profile of the GV80 is ugly and over used on other SUVs.

dumpsty - 1/13/2020 3:06:27 PM

+1 Boost

How about using the TT-V6 or the corporate V8?!

skytop - 1/13/2020 3:09:33 PM

-1 Boost

The public clearly wants MORE and MORE luxury features and luxury appointments regardless of the cost.
People are now buying SUV's and trucks that are at levels small houses used to sell. The 7 year auto loan is very popular now. I see the 10 year loan being offered soon.

malba2367 - 1/13/2020 3:53:35 PM

+3 Boost

What more can they add...I doubt people would pay much more for a contrast color roof. The big thing they can do to bump up sale prices is add the turbo V6 as an option.

carsnyc - 1/13/2020 9:56:31 PM

+1 Boost

Telluride is unstoppable and it is a good thing it’s made here in the US.

cidflekken - 1/14/2020 1:21:43 PM

+1 Boost

The key is that the Telluride is conquesting sales from Toyota, Honda, and other mainstream brands. 2019 data doesn't show that the majority of the premium brands were not affected. Lexus' RX and GX sales did not decrease YOY. Benz' GLE and GLS sales did not decrease YOY and actually increased. BMW's X5 sales increase substantially, and the X7 is selling very well. Even Volvo's XC90 showed an increase YOY. Audi's Q7 is the only luxury model that showed a decrease (of 7%).

The point is, the current price point is likely the sweet spot for the Telluride and the Kia brand. Buyers are still showing they are wiling to spend the extra money for the premium brands so encroaching closer to that territory might be risky. Leave that to Genesis.

cidflekken - 1/14/2020 1:22:32 PM

+1 Boost

Meant, "2019 data shows that the majority of the premium brands were not affected".

cidflekken - 1/14/2020 1:26:23 PM

+1 Boost

To add, Acura's MDX showed a sales increase YOY despite being the oldest model in its segment. Infiniti's QX60 sales did decrease (by 9%) along with the Q7.