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Kia teases B-segment concept headed to Frankfurt

It's not uncommon to see an automaker go a little outside of its comfort zone when creating a concept car, but Kia seems to be going all out for a new small concept it plans to unveil at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Although there is not much information to go on about this unnamed concept, Kia does say that it "hints at a possible future B-segment contender."
With headlights that would look at home on a C7 Corvette or Jaguar F-Type and door cut lines reminiscent of a Ford GT, we can only imagine how sporty this car will look in the flesh. The wide door openings also give a good glimpse inside the car revealing details deep, flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters and the peculiar rotary-style shifter, but our attention is on the instrument panel switches. If you look closely, the second switch from the left seems to be for a center differential possibly hinting at a future sporty all-wheel-drive Kia. Yes, please! Scroll down for the brief press release on the car, and stay tuned for more info as we'll be on hand covering the show next month.

Best Large SUVs of 2024

When it comes down to large SUVs, there's more to consider than price and just how large it is. First, it comes down to what's underneath the skin. Some are built on a truck-like body-on-frame chassis — this would be the traditional, literal definition of an "SUV." Others use car-like, unibody construction, which would make them a crossover. What really matters, though, is how you use them. For most American families, a large three-row crossover is going to be your best bet. They have loads of passenger and cargo space, and deliver superior fuel economy, handling and ride quality than those big traditional SUVs. They're cheaper, too. On the other hand, those traditional large SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition are better-suited for more heavy-duty tasks like towing. Most now have bigger third rows than big crossovers, while extended-length versions like the Chevy Suburban have way more cargo capacity behind their third rows than everything but an airport shuttle. As for luxury large SUVs, they fall into those same two categories as well, with American choices mostly being truck-based. The pros and cons of choosing one over another are similar. Below, you will find our list of the best large SUVs broken down into three categories: large family crossover, large traditional SUV and large luxury SUVs, which comprise both construction types.  Best Large Family Crossovers  |  Best Large Traditional SUVs  |  Best Large Luxury SUVs Best Large Family Crossovers 2024 Honda Pilot Why it stands out: Exceptional storage and cargo space; unique second-row functionality; refined ride; versatile and capable TrailSport; advanced AWDCould be better: Subpar acceleration with lackadaisical transmission and engine response; so-so driver assistance tech Read our full 2024 Honda Pilot Review The Honda Pilot was completely redesigned for 2023. It maintains its predecessor's family-friendly packaging and overall focus, but it has injected a welcome sense of style (especially in the TrailSport pictured above) that makes it stand out much better from the big crossover crowd. The Pilot's restrained adornment and classic proportions are refreshing compared to the increasingly busy Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade and Subaru Ascent. Let's talk about practicality, though, which is ultimately the Pilot's best attribute.

Kia Telluride spy shots reveal crossover's grille

The Kia Telluride seems to be making steady progress on its way to production, as evidenced by these new spy photos. The large crossover SUV was spied testing with much less camouflage than the last time we saw it. So little that we get a pretty clear picture of the front fascia and what appears to be a production grille and front bumper, unadorned with fake bodywork. Notably, the Telluride still retains much of the square, blocky design shown on the 2016 concept, such as in its tall, sheer nose. But it has softened in a number of ways. The grille is much broader and curves back toward the headlights. It also has a bit of a sweep upward, which is exaggerated by the additional opening below the grille. The headlights have also increased in size compared with the concept, particularly vertically. They also wrap around the fender instead of being inset. Moving around to the sides and the rear, there's more camouflage, but we can spot some details taken directly from the concept. One of them is the chrome trim surrounding the windows that has a little extension up the B-Pillar. The rear taillights are also heavily inspired by the concept's inverted "L"-shaped lights. Unlike the concept, the production lights appear to span the full width of the rear hatch. As for when we'll see the production Telluride, we would estimate within a year. A report from January implied that we would be hearing an announcement in the near-future regarding the new family crossover, and this latest prototype is looking pretty close to production specification. Hyundai seems to be on its way to releasing its own version of the three-row SUV, possibly styled after the Grandmaster concept, for 2019 or 2020. Related Video: