The best — and most practical — SUVs to consider over the Kia Telluride

qz.com Jul 16, 2026

The best — and most practical — SUVs to consider over the Kia Telluride

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 16, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The Kia Telluride, freshly redesigned for the 2027 model year, topped U.S. News’s midsize‑SUV ranking this year and continues to earn praise for its upscale cabin and styling. However, its higher price and polarizing exterior have prompted shoppers to explore ten strong competitors listed by U.S. News, each excelling in at least one area such as lower cost, rugged off‑road trims, larger third‑row space, or more restrained design. The Hyundai Palisade, a corporate sibling, starts at $39,435, scores 9.0/10, and received a full 2026 redesign that adds interior volume and an XRT Pro off‑road package, plus a hybrid powertrain for efficiency‑focused buyers. While the Palisade offers a smooth ride, some rivals deliver sharper acceleration and sportier handling, giving consumers distinct options based on budget, capability, and aesthetic preferences.

💡 Why It Matters

· Buyers can avoid overpaying for features they don’t need by targeting a model that outperforms the Telluride in the specific attribute they value most.

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Cadillac OPTIQ May Switch To A Chinese Made Platform

Cadillac’s upcoming OPTIQ electric SUV may be built on SAIC‑GM’s Xiao Yao platform, a China‑tailored architecture developed at Pan‑Asia Technical Automotive Center in Shanghai. The platform, already used for Buick models such as the Electra L7 and E7, integrates propulsion, chassis, autonomous‑driving and smart‑cabin systems and supports power‑train configurations, including EVs, plug‑in hybrids and extended‑range vehicles. GM officials described Xiao Yao as a “software‑defined” platform offering charging and flexible body styles. While the OPTIQ is not slated for the United States, Cadillac is positioning it for European markets as part of a shift away from the aging Ultium platform that has underperformed in China. The move reflects GM’s strategy to leverage Chinese joint‑venture expertise to stay competitive in EV markets.

💡 It shows GM is willing to cede core US platforms to Chinese joint‑venture tech to regain relevance in fast‑moving EV markets, and signals a pivot toward Europe as a growth frontier amid domestic sales headwinds.

cleantechnica.com · Jul 16

Delhi Launches Big New EV Policies

Delhi has introduced a new electric‑vehicle mandate, EV Policy 2.0, effective July 1 2026, to accelerate its transition away from internal‑combustion engines. Starting January 1 2027, only electric three‑wheelers and N1‑category commercial goods vehicles may be newly registered, and from April 1 2028 all new scooters and motorcycles must be electric. The policy also requires 10 % of school bus fleets to be electric within two years and adds scrappage incentives for retiring ICE vehicles. It builds on the earlier 2020 policy, which set a 25 % new‑vehicle EV target for 2024 but achieved only 8.65 % for two‑wheelers and 10.1 % for four‑wheelers by June 2026. The city will simultaneously expand charging infrastructure and continue buyer subsidies.

💡 By mandating zero‑emission registrations, Delhi forces manufacturers and consumers to adopt EVs, turning a stalled incentive‑only approach into a decisive market shift that could dramatically cut the city’s deadly air pollution.

techcrunch.com · Jul 16

Tesla driver in fatal Texas crash pressed accelerator 100%, NTSB confirms

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed that a Tesla driver in Katy, Texas, pressed the accelerator to 100% before crashing into a house at over 70 mph, overriding the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system. The crash killed 76-year-old Martha Avila and led to a lawsuit against the driver, Michael Butler, and Tesla. Butler has been charged with manslaughter. The NTSB and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are investigating.

💡 The NTSB’s confirmation supports Tesla’s claim that its driver assistance system was not responsible, shifting focus to the driver’s actions. The case raises questions about how users interact with and rely on advanced driver assistance systems in real-world conditions.

cleantechnica.com · Jul 16

Wallbox & Turning Point Energy Surpass 10,000 EV Chargers Deployed Across Saudi…

Wallbox and Saudi Arabia’s Turning Point Energy announced that more than 10,000 electric‑vehicle chargers have been sold and installed in the Kingdom since their partnership began in 2022. The milestone includes both AC and DC units deployed across residential, commercial and public sites, and reflects Turning Point’s role as Wallbox’s official distributor, installer and maintenance provider. The collaboration has supported charging projects linked to agreements with regional EV manufacturers such as BYD and Lucid, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s broader transportation‑energy transition goals. Executives from both firms highlighted the achievement as evidence of rising EV adoption and the importance of reliable infrastructure. Wallbox plans to keep expanding its portfolio of scalable charging solutions throughout Saudi Arabia.

💡 Surpassing 10,000 chargers demonstrates that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 electrification agenda is moving from policy to tangible on‑ground capacity, accelerating the nation’s shift to electric mobility.

interestingengineering.com · Jul 16

Photos: New Volkswagen e-bikes feature world’s first rearview screen, radar

Volkswagen has signed a licensing deal with premium bike maker n+ to launch two electric bicycles, the Sport and the Cross, under the automaker’s brand. The partnership leverages n+’s experience in crafting high‑end bicycles for automotive clients, allowing Volkswagen to enter the e‑bike market without building its own frames. Both models incorporate automotive‑grade safety tech, including a handlebar‑mounted “Smart View” system that streams live rear‑view video from a high‑definition camera and uses radar to warn riders of vehicles in their blind spot. Dynamic LED strips on the frame signal braking and turning, while integrated “Smart Lights” provide daytime visibility. A synchronized helmet can also display alerts and detect crashes, aiming to reduce accidents as e‑bike traffic grows.

💡 By transplanting car safety features onto bicycles, Volkswagen aims to set a new safety benchmark for urban micromobility, potentially reshaping rider expectations and municipal regulations.

insideevs.com · Jul 16

Someone Is Already Trying To Flip One Of The Last Tesla Model…

Tesla has ended production of the Model S, and the final “Signature Edition” Plaid—priced at $159,420 when new—has become a rare collector’s item. Only 350 Signature Editions were built, featuring Garnet Red paint, gold‑accented trim, carbon‑ceramic brakes, lifetime Supercharging and Full Self‑Driving, and were sold by invitation with a non‑resale clause that gave Tesla a right of first refusal. One such vehicle, listed by J&S AutoHaus in New Jersey, has 300 miles on the odometer and is advertised for $259,995, more than $100,000 above its original price. The resale agreement threatens legal action and forfeiture of key perks if the owner attempts to flip the car, yet a dealer is already trying to market it despite those restrictions.

💡 The listing tests the enforceability of Tesla’s resale lock‑up, exposing a potential loophole that could reshape how ultra‑limited EVs are traded.