Overview
There are many reasons we put the 2024 Telluride at the very top of our SUV shopping list, things like its handsome styling, smooth-running V-6, and near-luxury cabin. This three-row SUV has the goods to satisfy a wide range of buyers, but most of all it’s set up nicely to cater to families with its spacious three-row interior. Adventure seekers will find plenty of capability too. Not only does the Telluride tow up to 5500 pounds, but it also has plenty of room for cargo and is available in a rugged X-Pro guise that can handle moderately challenging off-roading. We’d love a little more driver engagement, but at least the Telluride rides beautifully and provides quiet cruising that reduces long-distance driving fatigue. If you ask us, the Telluride is the mid-size SUV that best meets the needs of those shopping in this segment.
Where This Vehicle Ranks
What’s New for 2024?
Kia says they’ve made some minor exterior tweaks on the Telluride for 2024, but you’d be hard-pressed to clock them. All models now come with amber-colored daytime running lights, and X-Line and X-Pro models get glossy black exterior trim in place of last year’s dark metallic highlights.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We can’t resist recommending the SX trim. It delivers a near-luxury experience with all of the important options at a still-reasonable price. The SX comes standard with high-end features including a 12-way power driver’s seat, black-painted 20-inch rims, a Harman/Kardon stereo, front and rear sunroofs, and second-row captain’s chairs. Those who want the added sense of security that comes with all-wheel drive can have it for an extra $2000.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Under the hood of every Telluride is a naturally aspirated V-6 that makes 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Its engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission that feeds the front wheels, though all-wheel drive is optional across the board. The Telluride X-Line we tested sped to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. However, the big Kia didn’t feel as responsive to throttle inputs at lower speeds as did some of its turbocharged rivals. The Telluride’s ride is on the firm side, with harsh pavement sometimes throwing the three-row SUV off its intended path. A self-leveling rear air suspension is also available. The brakes are excellent and the steering is precise with a nice heft to its feel. The Telluride boasts up to 8.4 inches of ground clearance for off-road excursions, and it can tow up to 5500 pounds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Unlike many rival three-row SUVs, the Telluride is only offered with a gasoline V-6 powertrain. The EPA estimates the front-drive version is the thriftiest, with ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. All-wheel-drive models drop to 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The all-wheel-drive Telluride we tested on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route returned 24 mpg—matching its government highway rating. For more information about the Telluride’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Regardless of people’s opinions about the Telluride’s bold outward appearance, its interior is undeniably upscale and comfortable—especially in the top trims. The build quality is excellent, the materials are attractive, and features are plentiful. The SX trim tops them all with the fanciest options, which include driver’s seat memory settings, a head-up display, heated and ventilated rear seats, a rich-looking headliner, and nappa leather upholstery. Because the Telluride is several inches longer than the seven-passenger Kia Sorento, its cabin is even more spacious, especially for those in the wayback. There is room for eight with a second-row bench seat or seating for seven with the optional captain’s chairs. Along with ample interior storage throughout the cabin, we managed to fit four carry-on suitcases behind its third row and stuffed a total of 35 carry-ons with both back rows folded flat.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every Telluride boasts a robust infotainment system that features a 12.3-inch touchscreen with popular content that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto capability, in-dash navigation, and onboard Wi-Fi. Also available is a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system, a 110-volt power inverter, and wireless smartphone charging. A feature called Driver Talk amplifies the driver’s voice through speakers in the back two rows to better communicate with passengers back there—or to answer the kids when they ask, “are we there yet?”
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technology comes standard on all Telluride models. Several upgraded assists are also available, including automatic high-beams, a 360-degree camera system, and what Kia calls a Blind-Spot View Monitor. This tech projects a camera image of the vehicle’s blind spot into the gauge cluster display. For more information about the Telluride’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Standard blind-spot monitoring
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Kia provides some of the best comprehensive coverage out there, with the longest powertrain warranty in the business. However, it lacks the complimentary scheduled maintenance of rivals such as the Toyota Highlander and the Chevy Traverse.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Kia Telluride X-Line
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $46,820/$53,615
Options: SX-Prestige package (12.3-in digital gauge cluster, nappa leather seats, heated and ventilated second-row seats, Harman Kardon 10-speaker stereo, Highway Driving Assist 2.0, head-up display, digital rear-view mirror), $6300; Glacial White Pearl paint, $495
ENGINE
DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 231 in3, 3778 cm3
Power: 291 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.4-in vented disc/12.0-in disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy LTX
245/50R-20 102V M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 114.2 in
Length: 196.9 in
Width: 78.3 in
Height: 70.5 in
Passenger Volume: 151 ft3
Cargo Volume: 21 ft3
Curb Weight: 4469 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.1 sec @ 94 mph
100 mph: 17.2 sec
130 mph: 38.3 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.3 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.6 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 132 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 175 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.80 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 19 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 21/18/24 mpg
