History/Overview
In 2020, Kia introduced the Telluride as an all-new mid-size SUV to serve shoppers looking for a vehicle with bold styling and three rows of seating. It is one of three Kia models with seating for seven or eight; the others are the Sorento (a smaller mid-size SUV) and the Carnival minivan.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
Features and design-wise, the Kia Telluride is unchanged for 2022, but Kia has raised the price nominally.
Available Trims
Kia makes the Telluride in EX, SX, SX Limited, and SX Limited Nightsky trim levels. All versions are powered by a 3.5L V6, an eight-speed transmission, and standard AWD.
Standard Features
Telluride EX wears 18-inch alloy wheels, and comes with LED headlights and fog lights, power-folding side mirrors, and passive keyless entry with hands-free tailgate.
Inside, eight-passenger seating is standard, and you’ll enjoy a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, three-zone A/C, 10.25-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration, wireless charging, and 110-volt power.
Safety features include automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, highway drive assist, blind spot collision intervention, lane follow assist, driver attention and rear occupant alerts, rear parking sensors, rear collision avoidance assist, and forward collision warning with automatic braking.
SX gains 20-inch wheels, a dual-panel sunroof, leather seating, driver’s cushion extension, ventilated front seats, rear-door sun shades, a better stereo, ambient lighting, blind spot camera, front parking sensors, and 360-degree camera views.
SX Limited is a seven-seater that gains a self-levelling rear suspension, Nappa leather, LED taillights, rain-sensing wipers, heated/ventilated second-row seats, and a head-up driver display.
SX Limited Nightsky gets black wheels, other black exterior elements, and plain leather seating.
Fuel Economy
Kia estimates the Telluride’s fuel consumption at 12.7/9.7 L/100 km (city/highway).
Competition
The Kia Telluride competes at the large end of the mid-size SUV segment, where it lines up nicely with the Chevrolet Traverse, Volkswagen Atlas, Hyundai Palisade, and Ford Explorer. Other big names in three-row crossovers are the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Nissan Pathfinder.