Speculations about the Kia truck are spreading like a disease. Well, for a lot of reasons. The Korean company already had a project which was ended in 2005. Now, with a close partner, Hyundai, launching its Santa Cruz, we expect the same from Kia. Rumors appeared that the vehicle could be based on the Mohave SUV and carry the same name. But, the latest info brought another dose of speculations. The 2022 Kia Telluride pickup truck is the favorite at this moment.
Telluride is a new SUV which caused a lot of interest right from its arrival. It didn’t take too long for experts and enthusiasts to get it in correlation with the pickup segment. A big platform and a powerful engine are going to be enough for the start and the company will upgrade the offer in the following seasons.
2022 Kia Telluride Pickup Truck Specs
If the 2022 Kia Telluride pickup truck is going to hit the market, then the V6 engine is going to be a sure choice. A 3.8-liter displacement is producing 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. For the mid-size segment, this is the best option. The most popular trucks are out there with similar specifications. An eight-speed automatic gearbox sends power to 4×2 and 4×4 systems. However, towing capacity needs to jump, since 5,000 pounds is a poor outcome for the truck market. Telluride pickup should be closer to 7,000 lbs.
Another option could be a four-cylinder engine. Again, the competition is using similar units as the entry-level powertrain. However, the four-pot plant is not going to be too popular among truckers.
2022 Kia Telluride Truck Verdicts
The truck segment will be totally new for the Korean manufacturer. Yes, they were about to launch the Mojave in 2005, but the production never happened. Also, with the cooperation with the Hyundai, the modern truck might finally happen. But, everything we can hear is just rumors and there is no official confirmation. On the other hand, the lineup is expanding. Telluride is a promising project.
The 2022 Kia Telluride pickup truck could be a bad idea. The US market is very demanding and the manufacturer needs something stunning to make a breakthrough. Even Ford took a few years off from the mid-size segment. the Telluride truck, based on the SUV, don’t stand chances against Ranger, as well as Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, or Chevy Colorado. Unibody concepts are not popular in this class like we can see on the example of Honda Ridgeline, the slowest-selling pickup in the segment.
Kia will need a stunning appearance to make an impact. We are giving more chances to the truck based on the Mohave SUV. It rides on the ladder frame. So, it would be nonsense to bring a vehicle to the market where are only 30k customers per year. On the other hand, BoF mid-size trucks are one of the hottest segments in the market, with a few new arrivals in the last two seasons. Could 2022 Kia Telluride pickup truck or Mohave be the next one?