Used 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2022 Kia Telluride 3-row midsize SUV is indisputably a top choice in its class. It’s spacious, affordable, well-equipped, well-mannered and arguably looks good. It has awards in its metaphorical trophy cabinet to back up such statements.

How many seats are in the Kia Telluride? Eight in the base LX and mid-level EX trims. The S and SX versions have a pair of captain’s chairs in their second row, reducing the posterior count to seven. These are optional in the EX.

This is a sister vehicle to the Hyundai Palisade. What’s the difference between the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade? Not much. They share the same platform and mechanicals. They both come with industry-best warranties (10 years/100,000 miles for the drivetrains).

Pricing is similar, so is equipment, and safety scores. Both vehicles’ trim levels go from classy mainstream to almost luxurious yet still value-packed. If anything, the Palisade gets a little more upscale with its top Calligraphy trim and its digital driver information display.

Somehow, though, the Telluride has captured all the attention and the oxygen in the 3-row midsize SUV room since its 2020 debut. We mentioned awards just now, and a few of them have come from Kelley Blue Book, such as 2021 Best Buy and Best 3-Row Midsize SUV.

This year, the hot-selling Telluride becomes even more compelling with a larger infotainment touchscreen and additional standard features.

Just as Kia gets high scores with virtually everything else in the Telluride SUV, the driving experience is correspondingly favorable. The things that most drivers ask of midsize crossovers, the Telluride delivers.

The ride quality is not so soft that it might induce car sickness, but still comfortable. And the engine has enough muscle for passing and getting up to freeway speeds. Even the fuel-saving engine stop/restart function nudges in quite smoothly.

When drivers would like a little help, the standard-issue adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist is easy to activate and live with. It also reads road signs and adjusts speed if necessary.

If some off-roading or rough weather is expected in a new Telluride owner’s future, there’s eight inches of ground clearance to play with, and the all-wheel-drive system has a snow mode.

Average-sized adults can fit in the third row, which gives an idea of how spacious the 2022 Telluride SUV is. The seats are accessed easily, and that high roof provides plenty of headroom. Each row is a little higher than the one in front, stadium-style.

Seats are comfortable, materials are classy, and the interior design has a pared-down/uptown vibe. Especially with the steering wheel sporting the new Kia logo.

Driver Talk becomes standard this year. It’s a useful feature that feeds the driver’s voice into the rear speakers, so parents don’t have to shout at their kids. If the little darlings are napping, Quiet Mode (also newly standard) shuts off the rear speakers, yet still allows those up front to listen to their preferred audio source at a low level.

Luggage space behind the third row measures 21 cubic feet. Not bad at all. Folding down the rearmost row creates 46 cubic feet, and the maximum area behind the front seats is 87 cubic feet.

A revised grille with the new Kia corporate logo graces the nose of the 2022 Telluride SUV. And the “Telluride” lettering going across the tailgate is now in a smaller font with wider spacing.

In general, the Telluride has a chunky look with plenty of presence. The LX and EX models come with 18-inch alloy wheels, the S and SX have 20-inchers (optional on the EX). The SX also has wiper blades of a more aerodynamically efficient design than its humbler stablemates.

A Nightfall Edition exterior cosmetics package — offered with all-wheel-drive versions of the EX and SX — adds a black finish to various elements like the grille, wheels, light bezels, roof rails, and badges.

BLIND-SPOT VIEW MONITOR
Standard in the SX trim, unavailable elsewhere in the 2022 Telluride range (although regular blind-spot monitoring is standard throughout), this feature employs side cameras and displays their images in the instrument cluster, giving drivers a greater degree of outward vision.

REAR-SEAT ALERT
When there’s what feels like a herd of kids and pets that all need corralling, this standard feature notifies the driver if someone or something is still in one of the rear seats at the end of a drive.

A lot of 2022 Telluride SUV buyers won’t need to go beyond the entry-level EX trim. Especially since all the most desirable safety features are standard. These include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, safe exit assistance, and — new for this year — partial self-driving functions (see the Safety Technology section below).

Among the comfort and convenience features are keyless entry/ignition, remote start, rear-occupant alert, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a low-maintenance simulated leather upholstery that some people might prefer over the real stuff.

On the tech front, the infotainment display increases in size this year to a 10.25-inch unit with a split-screen function. Navigation is also standard, along with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, satellite radio, and five USB ports.

Prices for higher trims go up in increments of approximately $2,500. The next-up S version has heated front seats with an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, plus the captain’s chairs and LED lighting in the second row, a powered tilt/slide sunroof, and roof rails.

EX trim comes with power-folding side mirrors, real leather upholstery, heated/ventilated front seats with an 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, wireless charging, an additional USB port, self-dimming rearview mirror, 2nd-row shades, LED taillights, and hands-free tailgate operation.

This model is eligible for an EX Premium package that adds 2nd-row captain’s chairs, LED headlights with automatic high beams, 20-inch alloy wheels, and roof rails finished in satin chrome.

SX trim’s side mirrors tilt down when reverse gear is selected. This model also gains the contents of the EX Premium package, plus LED fog lights, front parking sensors, 360-degree camera system, blind-spot view monitor, dual-pane sunroof, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings that include the side mirror, 64-color ambient cabin lighting, heated 2nd-row seats, and a Harman Kardon 10-speaker surround-sound system.

An SX Prestige trim brings rain-sensing wipers, heated steering wheel, head-up display, Nappa leather upholstery, heated/ventilated 2nd-row seats, 110-volt outlet, all-wheel drive, and Michelin tires.

Every 2022 Telluride SUV trim can be optioned with all-wheel drive, rear entertainment system, side steps, and most premium paint colors. The EX and SX versions also qualify for a towing package that adds a tow hitch and a self-leveling rear suspension.

A 3.8-liter V6 propels all versions of the 2022 Telluride SUV with a gutsy 291 horsepower. There are no turbos or superchargers, just plain old natural aspiration, which is absolutely fine.

An 8-speed automatic transmission deals with all the gear-shifting duties. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional.

It’s OK to use regular gasoline, but a fair amount is required. Front-drive versions average around 23 mpg. Those with all-wheel drive are thirstier by a couple of miles per gallon. On a more positive note, the fuel tank holds 18.8 gallons, giving the Telluride a range of about 400 miles.

Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, regardless of trim level or the number of driven wheels.

3.8-liter V6
291 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
262 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg (FWD), 19/24 mpg (AWD)