The Kia Telluride was launched as an all-new crossover in 2020 aimed on the coronary heart of the midsize crossover and SUV section. While it’s the largest car that Kia manufactures right here within the United States, it nonetheless has rather a lot in frequent with the Hyundai Palisade. After only a few years in the marketplace, Kia refreshed the Telluride for 2023, which included a new exterior look, the more rugged X- trims, and some new tech.

The Telluride isn’t your hardcore off-roader, however it’s additionally greater than only a household automotive. It’s the proper mix of high-riding goodness that brings each worlds collectively in a manner that there’s little compromise. With opponents just like the Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Traverse, the Kia Telluride does face some rivalry out there, although, it’s been effectively cherished by auto journalists and with more than 110,000 examples sold in the U.S. in 2023, one might argue that buyers adore it too.

In order to provide the most recent and correct data attainable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Kia, Fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and IIHS.

What’s New For 2024

If you had been to have a look at the refreshed 2023 Kia Telluride alongside the 2024 mannequin, you wouldn’t discover any modifications – something that’s not surprising given the refresh in 2023. However, Kia has made only a few modifications for this yr, together with amber-colored daytime operating lights as customary throughout the lineup and new shiny black trim on the X-Line and X-Pro, which the darkish metallic accents seen on these fashions in 2023. Outside of this little modifications, the 2024 mannequin carries over unchanged.

In 2023, nonetheless, the Telluride obtained an up to date entrance grille, new entrance fascia, and utterly redesigned headlights. The inside noticed an inflow of know-how with a brand new set of twin 12.3-inch show screens that share the sprint to function the instrument cluster and infotainment system. The latter is clearly a play taken from the posh section, the place this structure is changing into increasingly commons. It must be famous, nonetheless, that whereas the 12.3-inch infotainment show is customary, the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is off-limited under the SX trim. Starting in 2023, the Telluride additionally comes customary with the Wi-Fi hotspot and navigation.

Highlights

• Great customary security options
• Digital key out there on higher trim ranges
• Dual-Zone and rear computerized local weather management customary
• 10-year guarantee
• Sliding second-row seats
• 12.3-inch infotainment system customary

Exterior Dimension

Engine Specifications And Performance

The Kia Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter, naturally aspirated, V-6 that delivers a good 291 horsepower. That’s not fairly as a lot as fashions just like the Chevy Traverse, which has a turbocharged four-cylinder, however with greater than 260 pound-feet of torque, the Telluride continues to be extremely succesful and competent on the highway. Shifting duties are dealt with by an eight-speed computerized, with optionally available AWD being out there on the LX, S, EX, and SX trim ranges. All different trim ranges include AWD and the center-looking differential with snow mode as customary.

TopSpeed’s very personal journalist, Lyndon Conrad Bell spent some time with the Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line, and he was mighty impressed.

“My SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD trimmed Telluride was also equipped with all-wheel drive. I saw seven-second runs to 60 with that powertrain.”

For a midsize crossover that’s geared towards household and a few off-roading, a seven-second run to 70 mph is fairly spectacular, however that’s not the one factor that led to the Telluride getting TopSpeed’s seal of approval. According to Bell, Tthe Telluride introduced a agency, although not uncomfortable, high quality of journey.” The self-leveling airbag suspension operated in addition to you’d anticipated, and we even notced that directional stability remained good no matter what highway circumstances had been encountered. Throttle response wasn’t the best, however braking was nice and steering response was on level.

Towing And Off-Roading

The Kia Telluride actually is a jack of all trades. You can drop the children off at apply Saturday morning, hit the dusty trails earlier than lunch, then assist your buddy transfer with its 5,000-5,500-pound towing capability within the afternoon. Certain fashions, from the EX up can both be possibility with or come customary with tow mode, a particular driving mode that helps to enhance effectivity when towing. The self-leveling rear suspension additionally performs a giant function right here.

Now, the Telluride is greater than able to dealing with the occasional journey off the overwhelmed path, however, even the X-Line and X-Line Pro with their raised suspension and extra rugged look gained’t compete with the Jeep Wranglers of the world.

Though, after testing the Prestige X-Line, we are able to say with confidence that the Telluride will deal with absolutely anything the typical particular person can and can throw at it.

Fuel Economy

The Kia Telluride may be supplied in a complete of 10 totally different trims, however below the pores and skin, all 10 fashions are powered by the identical V-8 engine, which suggests the one distinction in gas economic system comes out of your alternative of FWD or AWD. Models geared up with FWD are cable of getting as much as 26 mpg on the freeway whereas the AWD Telluride is a little more costly with a most EPA-rated gas economic system of 24 mpg on the freeway. Annual gas prices vary between $2,300 – $2,550.

Interior Technology And Comfort

The exterior of the Kia Telluride may be daring, however the inside is a special animal altogether, particularly within the higher trim ranges. During our time with the Telluride, we discovered it to not solely be snug, but in addition very effectively put collectively. The base LX trim and the EX trim come customary with a second-row bench, which contributes to the Telluride’s potential to hold eight passengers. If you go for every other trim, you routinely get the second-row captain’s chairs, which lower passenger capability to seven however enhance second-row consolation and make accessing the third row a bit simpler. Naturally, getting again into the third-row isn’t the best factor on this planet, however that’s additionally to be anticipated in a midsize crossover.

“Build quality is first-rate, with fit and finish rivaling that of far more costly product. The material choices are pleasing to the eye, while the layout of the controls and switchgear is reflective of considerable thought.”

Technology

On the know-how entrance, the Telluride has two very distinct personalities, and the way a lot you pay determines which character you get. Kia proudly boasts the twin 12.3-inch shows which are practically similar to what you discover in dearer luxurious automobiles (identical to from of the Telluride’s different appointments), although, if you need that setup, it is advisable to go up 4 trim ranges, to the SX trim. Otherwise, the LX, S, EX, and EX X-Line trims all include a “normal” instrument cluster that has a 4.2-inch digital show. The 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, nonetheless, is customary throughout the lineup.

The excellent news is that no matter what trim you select, you’ll discover that software program is intuitive and simple to make use of. Menus are specified by a considerate manner that makes adapting to a brand new system simple and prevents you from having to take your eyes off the highway when making changes.

“Everything is simple and straightforward to use. In other words, you won’t spend hours thumbing the Telluride’s instruction manual to figure out how to pair your smartphone.”

Other helpful options embrace the pinnacle up show that additionally permits you to view your blind spots for added security, satellite tv for pc radio, and a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system. Wireless smartphone charging, Wi-Fi, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are additionally on the listing of goodies.

Interior Dimensions

Safety And Reliability

The Kia Telluride comes with an extended listing of driver security help options marketed below the moniker Kia Drive Wise. This suite of applied sciences contains nearly every little thing you may consider when it comes to security tech proper from the bottom mannequin LX. However, it must be famous that there’s a transparent break up between the EX X-Line and every little thing from the SX on up in how superior a few of these applied sciences are.

As an instance, all trim ranges of the Telluride include blind spot collision warning know-how, nonetheless, from the SX trim up, this know-how additionally contains what Kia calls “Parallel Exit” which basically provides you an audible and visible warning whenever you’re leaving a parallel parking spot. It’s the identical story for the ahead collision avoidance help system, which in base type detects pedestrians, cyclists, and junction turning. From the SX trim and up, it additionally contains lane change oncoming and aspect detection in addition to evasive steering help. Trims from the SX on up additionally get the parking collision avoidance in reverse together with the encompass view monitor, sensible cruise management, and freeway help that may truly deal with computerized lane altering and machine studying features.

Safety Ratings And Crash Testing

The Kia Telluride has handed the IIHS’ security analysis and crash testing with flying colours, incomes a “Good” ranking (the most effective you may get) throughout the board. It’s even listed as a Top Safety Pick + for 2024. In NHTSA testing, the Telluride additionally carried out fairly effectively. It obtained a five-star general ranking, although, it solely scored 4 out of 5 begins for frontal crash testing and rollover testing.

• Recalls: 2 – one recall for a problem with the driveshaft and one other for a problem through which the engine’s valve springs could break and trigger catastrophic harm to the engine.
• NHTSA Investigations: None
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 40 – largely in regard to {the electrical} system and again over prevention system.
• Awards: 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick +

Warranties

Kia truthfully gives one, if not the most effective, warranties out there as we speak. The foundation of this guarantee is the 10-year, 100,000-mile restricted powertrain guarantee. This additionally contains 5-year fundamental and anti-perforation warranties in addition to a 60,000-mile roadside help plan. This guarantee comes customary throughout each single trim stage of the Kia Telluride.

2024 Kia Telluride Versus Its Competitors

As a three-row crossover with some off-road chops, the Kia Telluride isn’t precisely a rarity within the midsize crossover and SUV section. However, we’ve discovered that it finest competes with fashions just like the Honda Pilot and Chevy Traverse, each of which provide three rows of seating, are able to some gentle off-roading, and coming in across the similar when it comes to fuel-economy. More vital than this, all of them function dependable and efficient household automobiles that excel in delivering what any common household would wish or need in a midsize crossover. In quick, that’s what makes evaluating and cross procuring these fashions so onerous, as all three are nice at being precisely what they had been designed to be: midsize crossover that don’t flinch within the face of lengthy highway journeys or random adventures on the best way.

How The Kia Telluride Compares To The Honda Pilot

• 	2024 Kia Telluride	2024 Honda Pilot
  Model	Kia Telluride	2024 Honda Pilot
  Engine	3.6L V-6	3.5-Liter V-6
  Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	10-Speed Automatic
  Horsepower	291@ 6,000 RPM	285 HP
  Torque	262 LB-FT @ 5,200 RPM	262 LB-FT
  Driveline	Front Engine, AWD	2WD | AWD
  MSRP	$36,190	$37,090 – $52,480
  Towing Capacity	5,500 Pounds	3,500 – 5,000 Pounds

Looking up the phrase “jack of all trades but master of none” ought to end in no less than one picture of the Honda Pilot, as a result of that’s the best solution to describe it. It’s an important, midsized family-oriented crossover that’s good and cozy for lengthy highway journeys, dependable, and can handle some trekking into the woods or desert. It gained’t, nonetheless, take you over rocks or compete effectively with extra off-road oriented fashions just like the Jeep Wrangler or the Ford Bronco.

Under the hood of each Honda Pilot within the present era resides a 3.5-liter, naturally aspirated V-6 that’s good for 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It can handle to ship 22 mpg persistently with mixed freeway and metropolis use. It may tow as much as 5,000 kilos. All of those figures put the Honda Pilot in the identical playground because the Kia Telluride. The Pilot does begin out a bit dearer than the Telluride, however the range-topping elite mannequin is only a bit cheaper. While the Telluride has sufficient trims to cater to simply about anybody, the Honda is extra conservative with simply six trims, which may make the shopping for course of a bit easier.

How the Kia Telluride Compares To The Chevrolet Traverse

• 	2024 Kia Telluride	2024 Chevrolet Traverse
  Model	Kia Telluride	Chevrolet Traverse
  Engine	3.6L V-6	2.5-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four
  Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	Eight-Speed Automatic
  Horsepower	291@ 6,000 RPM	328 HP @ 5,500 RPM
  Torque	262 LB-FT @ 5,200 RPM	326 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM
  Driveline	Front Engine, AWD	FWD | AWD
  MSRP	$36,190	$38,995 – $57,995
  Towing Capacity	5,500 Pounds	5,000 Pounds

The Chevrolet Traverse is sort of actually the latest midsize crossover that we’ve mentioned on this information, with the current generation launching for the 2024 model year. The Traverse has a rugged look, even in base type, although the Z71 off-road trim makes it look, arguably, extra competent off-road than it truly is. With that in thoughts, it’s vital to notice that the new Traverse is, by far, the most capable to ever wear the name, and that’s even supposing it’s powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Turbocharging works wonders, nonetheless, and that’s why the Traverse is extra highly effective than not solely the Kia Telluride however the Honda Pilot as effectively.

That 2.5-liter engine pumps out 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, which is an improvement over the previous generation’s V-6 and fairly a couple of factors up on the Telluride. The greatest profit, nonetheless, actually comes within the type of gas economic system, which is available in at as a lot as 26 mpg with freeway cruising. The Traverse options an eight-speed computerized transmission, and whereas FWD is the bottom providing, AWD is accessible throughout the lineup. It may tow 5,000 kilos, which is on par with each competitor on this section. The Traverse, nonetheless, is on the dearer aspect of the equation, beginning at $38,995 with FWD or $40,995 with AWD and climbs to as excessive as $57,595 for the range-topping RS AWD.

How Much The Kia Telluride Costs

With so many trim ranges, one might argue that the Telluride lineup options no less than a few redundancies, which fashions just like the SX X-Line and SX X-Pro being separated by simply $1,000 or the SX Prestige being simply $505 dearer than the SX X-Pro. Be that as it might, the Telluride additionally sits on the cheaper aspect of the midsize section with a beginning value for the bottom LX coming in at $36,190.

Making A Case For The 2024 Kia Telluride

The midsize crossover section is ripe with choices, however the Kia Telluride stands out because of its daring design, inexpensive entry value, and general functionality. If you’re a model loyalist, then the Telluride will not be the suitable alternative for you, however should you’re in search of one thing new, need a car that’s secure, dependable, and so effectively appointed that it feels a category up, then you definately actually can’t go flawed with the Telluride. On-road efficiency gained’t blow you away, however the consolation and cabin house will, and you may nonetheless enterprise down paths unknown with out being too fearful, particularly should you go for the AWD system. With such a various vary of trims, there aren’t a complete lot of choices to select from, however in a way that is higher, as a result of it’s typically cheaper to maneuver as much as the following trim stage than it could be to possibility a selected bundle for one factor you really need.