SPY PICS: Kia's Telluride luxury SUV nearing production

Hark back to the Detroit motor show in January 2016 and you might recall Kia's announced intentions to strike a blow in the full-size luxury SUV segment with its gargantuan plug-in hybrid Telluride.

Well, these latest spy photos indicate that the project is well and truly under way.

Based on a stretched and widened Sorento platform, the three-row seven-seater is actually larger than Toyota's current LandCruiser and comes credentialed to compete with the senior fellows in the full-size SUV category.

Cosseted passengers can expect to ride in luxurious seats, with a "captain's chair" arrangement in the centre row and a roof-mounted light display that is aimed at re-energising jet-lagged travellers.

Although the vehicle captured testing in California, USA, is draped with extensive disguise cladding, there can be little doubt that, in production form, it will closely follow the concept featured at the Detroit show – although there's every indication that that car's suicide rear doors will give way to conventionally-hinged entry to the centre and rear seats.

The Telluride is expected to be manufactured at Kia's plant in Georgia, USA, from either late this year or in early 2019.

Sadly, however, like this pre-production model, the big new Kia SUV is destined to be left-hand drive only, ruling it out for an Australian release any time soon.