Auto Flex: Korean Automakers Proceed To Pump Up The Quantity

[ad_1] by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors January 18, 2026

Kia and Hyundai have at all times aligned themselves with numerous shopper markets.

By Kimatni D. Rawlins

It’s not an anomaly that half of the members in my sizable household personal both a Kia or a Hyundai auto. They have been enthused by the intelligent design ethos, worth pricing, and prolonged warranties. Conversely, each Korean automakers have at all times aligned themselves with numerous shopper markets. For instance, have you ever seen Hyundai’s “Okay Hyundai” commercials that includes Lil Jon, created to attraction to Black auto consumers, each female and male?

After all, the maturation of a model’s product line is the blueprint for retaining auto consumers and pushed. In that respect, Hyundai has launched a 2026 iteration of its ultra-popular Palisade, and Kia matches it for the 2027 mannequin 12 months, dubbed the Telluride. Each are full-size SUVs imagined for energetic households who want area, know-how, gasoline effectivity, and tech-savvy improvements.

2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy AWD

I spent joyful moments in Austin, TX, touring the outskirts of city behind the wheel of an all-new 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy. Contemporary off the press from its introduction of the all-gasoline mannequin this summer time, Hyundai wasted no time displaying off the extended-range hybrid model. Anticipate as much as 35 MPG when planning a household highway journey whereas showcasing your Palisade Hybrid’s up to date facilities to fellow vacationers.

The three-row Palisade is grander in each facet than its extremely touted predecessor and represents Hyundai’s flagship SUV. It offers passengers with extra consolation, an extended driving vary of as much as 630 miles for the hybrid, and options premier upgrades to the infotainment system, supplies, and finishes, in addition to the superior security programs. Particularly talking, the Palisade is without doubt one of the chief the explanation why Hyundai is on tempo for 5 years of gross sales success, highlighting a pivotal second for the Korean automaker, as this 12 months marks the fortieth anniversary of the primary Hyundai bought in the US.

My upscale, 6-passenger SUV was silky clean on the highway and felt completely powered by the two.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid engine, which was synergetically balanced by HTRAC AWD. The hybrid powertrain pairs with a paddle-shifting SHIFTRONIC 6-speed automated transmission. Collectively, the gasoline and electrical motors of the Palisade Hybrid produce 329-horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque, which interprets properly to the pavement.

Hyundai states that the styling and structure of the dashboard, in addition to different particulars, have been impressed by the ergonomics of up to date dwelling furnishings. Moreover, the cabin was pleasantly entertaining. A 14-speaker Bose premium audio system, WiFi hotspot, 12-inch head-up show, and wi-fi telephone charging amplify the know-how facilities. A entrance and rear built-in dashcam system can be at your disposal for security measures. The brand new Terrain Modes mechanism is accessible on all trims and incorporates Mud, Sand, and Snow settings relying on climate and highway situations.

Pricing for the 2026 Palisade SE FWD begins at $39,435 (3.5-liter V6 GDI) whereas the Palisade Hybrid Blue SEL FWD (2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder) kicks off at $44,160. My Creamy White Pearl Hybrid Calligraphy AWD take a look at mannequin in Austin totaled $61,125. 4 trims can be found within the hybrid variants, with the choice of FWD or AWD. Patrons can select an SEL, Restricted, SEL Premium, or Calligraphy, which is the very best illustration of Palisade. Furthermore, Hyundai provides the best and complete guarantee within the enterprise:

• 5-year/60,000 new auto guarantee

• 10-year/100,000 powertrain guarantee

• 10-year/100,000 hybrid system parts guarantee

• 5-year/unlimited-mile auto roadside help

Design Preview of the 2027 Telluride X-Professional

Kia continues churning out fascinating SUVs with its stellar 2027 Telluride X-Professional. Aptly named after a Colorado mining city within the Rocky Mountains, the second-generation Telluride is ideal for energetic existence and vacationers who often enterprise to epic locations, such because the Shenandoah Valley, for household hikes.

The superior, rugged, and transformed 2027 Telluride delivers with adventurous packages and prolonged capabilities, each on and off-road. Kia’s three-row SUV has remained in excessive demand since its introduction to the market six years in the past. In reality, manufacturing has elevated from 60,000 to 120,000 models to fulfill shopper demand. Even Eric B. and Rakim can be pleased with Kia for pumping up the amount!.

Encompassing Kia’s Opposites United design strategies, the sculpted and leanly muscular Telluride is longer, bolder, and, after all, nonetheless box-shaped, which is the silhouette clients gravitated in the direction of. It’s robust, clear, engaging, and formidable. And you may even go as far as to say that the Telluride appears a bit Land Rover-ish. New colours embody black jade, inexperienced, and Terrain brown in both shiny or matte finishes.

Flush door handles are borrowed from the EV6 and EV9, whereas LED vertical headlamps align with the brand new vertical radiator grille. On the X-Professional trim, the black rugged and thick-spoked rims are backed by all-terrain, all-season tires. The X-Professional can be accentuated with black contrasting roof rails, grille, wheel properly surrounds, aspect skirts, mirrors, and the rear bumper, which homes twin orange tow hooks. Telluride provides 9.1 inches of floor clearance for path rides in your savvy SUV. Furthermore, mild projections are in every single place on this auto, together with the tailgate, doorways, and mirrors.

The Telluride’s spacious inside is snug, roomy, and contemporary. Kia reorganized it with “city residing” and “pure world” themes which can be inviting and provocative. The cabin incorporates wood-like textures, real metallic accents, sturdy seize handles, and two-tone finishes resembling deep navy x Tuscan umber or blackberry x sand beige. Belief me, you've by no means seen a Kia look this premium. A few of the wooden finishes are mild engineered wooden, darkish engineered wooden, and hydrographic wooden. You can even circulation with Kia’s Actual Cast Carbon end for a richer look. As a result of general elevated exterior proportions, the inside area has elevated, which is good when packing in your athletic child’s basketball crew.

With know-how abounding and a 10-year guarantee, greatest consider the 2027 Kia Telluride will proceed to garner respect from newcomers. Anticipate the SUV to go on sale within the first quarter of 2026.