Kia Telluride

Overview: Is the Kia Telluride a good three-row midsize SUV?

The Kia Telluride is an excellent choice for customers seeking a midsize three-row SUV that excels in areas considered important by passengers. The Telluride offers generous interior volume for up to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. When needed, passenger space can be converted into cargo room.

The current Kia Telluride lineup boasts a cabin laden with rich interior appointments. The base model is already well-appointed, while top trims can be mistaken for a luxury lounge. Kia seems to have built an impregnable SUV, although its small item storage isn’t as extensive as its competitors.

Note: equipment, features, and trims can vary by model year. Always confirm these details when looking for used Kia Telluride SUV for sale.

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Related: 2021 Kia Telluride Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision

Key Features

The Kia Telluride offers:

• Great levels of safety
• A choice between a capable, sporty, or premium SUV
• An upscale exterior
• An available premium seating
• A number of driver assistance systems
• A total of 10 trims

Trims

The 2024 Kia Telluride boasts a lineup of 10 trims, four of which offer the flexibility of either FWD or AWD configurations. These include the LX, S, EX, and SX models. The X-Line trims are represented by the EX X-Line and SX X-Line.

In contrast, the Kia Telluride X-Line trims, available as SX and SX-Prestige, are perfect for adventurous journeys. For customers desiring a more luxurious interior experience, the Telluride SX Prestige and SX Prestige X-Line models are desirable models.

Comfort, Technology & Cargo

In terms of comfort and convenience, the Kia Telluride interior is designed with luxury and comfort in mind. The SX trim embraces the most luxurious elements, including leather upholstery, a head-up display, heated and ventilated rear seats.

The Kia Telluride comes equipped with various in-cabin technologies. These include a 12.3-inch Touchscreen Display with Navigation, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

In terms of interior space, the Kia Telluride offers around 178.1 cu. ft. The SUV offers 21 cu. ft. of cargo space, this number increases to 46 cu. ft. when the space behind the second row is used; and to 87 cu. Ft. when the space behind the first row is utilized.

How It Drives

At the heart of the Kia Telluride lies a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V-6 engine, delivering 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Power is channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride maintains a firm and stable drive, even when navigating corners, albeit with a slightly larger turning radius compared to similar SUVs.

For a sportier driving experience, the Telluride X-Line is the preferred choice. Nevertheless, a prospective buyer should research first before investing in a Kia Telluride.

Safety

The 2024 Kia Telluride has achieved a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS). However, the latest rating reflects the fact that the Telluride Kia has built to this point now offers better protection for back-seat passengers and even pedestrians.

Reviews

Consumer reviews of the Kia Telluride compiled by Kelley Blue Book show mostly positive feedback for the three-row SUV. Around 76% of the KBB reviews recommend the Telluride, giving the SUV high scores in terms of value, comfort, performance, reliability, quality, and styling. Consumers gave the Telluride a 4.1/5 rating, while KBB.com dished in a 4.8/5 rating.

The SUV received a refresh for the 2023 model year. Thus, interested buyers of used Kia Telluride may want to take a second look at older SUVs, as they may want to avoid certain model years of the SUV.

Learn more: Which Years Of Used Kia Tellurides Are Most Reliable?

FAQs

What are the downfalls of the Kia Telluride?

Supposed downfalls of Kia Telluride include paint finishes losing luster and upholstery showing signs of flaking. The SUV has been recalled due to issues pertaining to its airbags, electrical system, tires, and trailer hitches.

Which Kia Telluride is fully loaded?

Among the 10 available trims for the Kia Telluride, the SX Prestige X-Pro could be considered as the most fully loaded. It’s an AWD with center-locking differential and a 5,500-lb. towing capacity. The 1Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro features Nappa leather seat trim with X-Pro embossed front seats. The list of upscale features in the Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro goes further, making it the most fully loaded model.

Is the Kia Telluride low maintenance?

Based on a five-year estimate with around 15,000 miles driven per year, Edmunds.com estimates the maintenance for the 2023 Telluride to reach just $466 in the first year. By the fifth year, an owner would have spent a total of $5,589 on maintenance.

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