2024 Kia Telluride

From value and space to styling and safety, the Telluride gets it right. That’s why it’s won consecutive KBB Best Buy awards from 2020 (the first year of its existence) right up to 2023. We continue to be impressed by the breadth and depth of the Telluride’s abilities. Kia refreshed the Telluride last year, updating technology and refining the looks. So this popular SUV remains a great choice.

The Telluride is propelled by an excellent 291-horsepower V6 engine matched with a good 8-speed automatic transmission. It can get up to 60 mph in about seven seconds, which is typical for the segment and quick enough for stress-free merging and passing. Highway ride is comfortable and controlled, and the Telluride is an easy dance partner on city streets and in big-box parking lots. Rest assured; the Telluride drives as well as it presents.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of midsize 3-row SUVs, including the Kia Telluride.

Fuel Economy

Front-wheel drive (FWD) Telluride models are rated to return 23 mpg combined (20 city, 26 highway) with all-wheel drive (AWD) versions rated for 21 mpg combined (18 city, 24 highway). Those figures are in line with its similarly sized and comparably powered competitors.

The great Telluride revamp of 2023 brought a modernized dashboard with updated technology. A dual-screen unit is now available, bringing a digital instrument cluster to accompany the standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. At least five USB-C ports are standard throughout.

The rest of the interior is comfortable and spacious, with decent-quality materials and the ability to accommodate up to eight occupants (with a cup holder for each one). The Telluride has what’s known as stadium seating, where each row is a little higher than the one in front. But there’s still more than enough headroom to go around. Adults of average size can also fit in the third row and not complain.

Like most 3-row SUVs, some Telluride variants have captain’s chairs in the second row, lowering the occupant count by one, but enhancing comfort and improving movement into (and out of) the third row. Higher trims also add luxury items like fine Nappa leather and a Harman Kardon surround-sound system.

Behind the third row the Telluride provides an above-average cargo area of 21 cubic feet, which is about the volume of a smaller full-size refrigerator. There’s 46 cubic feet available with the third row collapsed and out of the way, and 87 cubic feet with the second row folded, too. Those figures are right about average for the segment and qualify the Telluride as plenty roomy.

Two little standard details we really like: Driver Talk puts the driver’s voice through the rear speakers, so there’s no need to shout at those in the third row (unless they’ve been really mischievous), and Quiet Mode allows those up front to enjoy the radio or whatever with just the front speakers.

The Telluride has an imposing yet still likable chunkiness to it, even after last year’s styling revisions. The X-Line pushes the rugged envelope a little further with its own take on the grille and roof rails, plus exclusive 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro takes that attitude and makes it muddier, fitting 18-inch alloy wheels and all-terrain tires.

Navigation-based smart cruise control
This takes adaptive cruise control a step further by communicating with the navigation to anticipate when the road curves — it will then adjust speed if necessary. This is standard across the Telluride range.

Connected Routing
Among the features provided with the free 12-month subscription to Kia Connect Ultimate is this, which enhances the standard navigation with real-time and predicted traffic levels.

Smart Power Liftgate w/Auto Close
Available in the EX trim and up, this powered rear cargo door not only offers hands-free opening, it also has a handy self-closing function. Fill your hands and arms with grocery bags then just walk away; the Telluride will close the door behind you.

Digital key
Coming in at the SX level, the Telluride can be accessed by authorized users’ smartphones or smartwatches. If the funds allow, we think an SX version is an excellent pick because it has so many great features.

Dual-screen dashboard
Also found in SX and higher Telluride trims, this is similar to screen setups found more often in luxury vehicles. It contains two 12.3-inch displays — one for driver information, the other for infotainment — set into one elegantly curved unit.

Head-up display
Expanded to a 10-inch display last year, this feature projects crucial information onto the windshield directly ahead of the driver. Available in the SX Prestige.

There’s just one engine for the entire Telluride lineup, a 3.8-liter V6 developing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This connects to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the standard configuration, with all-wheel drive (AWD) on the options list — or standard in the X-Line and X-Pro variants.

The Telluride’s maximum towing capacity is 5,500 pounds, achieved by the X-Pro models. The rest of the range can tow 5,000 pounds, which is typical among midsize SUVs.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

Along with the Hyundai Palisade, the Kia Telluride enjoys the best warranties in its class. The bumper-to-bumper coverage is five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first — this includes roadside assistance. Powertrains are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Kia Telluride has received the highest accolade of the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) — Top Safety Pick+ — for the 2023 model year as well as gaining a maximum 5-star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2022 model year.