2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD

The Kia Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This directed injected V6 engine is more than adequate to propel the 5,917 lb SUV but don’t expect to win any drag races. The 3.8-liter returns fairly low mpg numbers of 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway for a combined rating of 20 mpg. These numbers may be low, but it’s hard work to move an SUV that weighs almost 6,000 lbs. Thanks to this powerful V6 the Telluride can also tow up to 5,000 lbs making it a helpful companion for smaller jobs.

The Telluride’s V6 is paired with an in-house Hyundai/Kia-designed 8-speed automatic transmission. This smooth transmission blends into the background during normal driving and keeps the V6 at lower revs so that it’s barely audible. The 8-speed automatic’s smooth shifts add to the Telluride’s serine driving experience and work to keep occupants comfortable. When power is required, the 8-speed can downshift quickly although this is clearly not its favorite mode of operation. The Telluride can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in only 7 seconds, which is more than enough to merge onto the highway and keep up with traffic. This drivetrain is perfectly suited to the Telluride's comfort-focused suspension setup and driving dynamics.

The Family Couch on Wheels

In today’s market, there seems to be an obsession with adding unnecessary capabilities to SUVs. Many car companies spend untold funds turning normal SUVs into track-capable beasts or off-road monsters, when in reality they spend most of their time hauling groceries and passengers to their next destination. Although very capable vehicles are exciting and what drives car enthusiasm, it’s nice to see a product built specifically for its main function. In the case of the Kia Telluride, you get a purpose-built product to haul a large amount of people and or things to a destination comfortably. This is exactly how Kia Telluride owners will use their SUVs for a majority of the time making it the perfect tool for the job. 

The Kia Telluride wasn’t built to be fast or rock crawl to remote camping destinations and it’s better for it. Kia’s focus on the task at hand meant they could prioritize comfort and isolation from the outside world. The suspension is supple and compliant soaking up road imperfections to deliver a smooth ride. The interior is also quiet thanks to sound insulation that works to drown out the noise and chaos of the outside world. 

The drivetrain is smooth and falls into the background when driving the Telluride. It’s this isolation from vibrations and harsh impacts that helps to elevate the Telluride driving experience. Instead of spending money on features customers will never use, Kia’s focus on daily comfort and capability makes the Telluride a winner. 

Interior Packed With Tech and Buttons

Despite the prevalence of the latest touchscreen technology, Kia still offers buttons and knobs to control all of the critical HVAC and entertainment options. This blending of physical and digital controls is a perfect example of how to lay out a modern vehicle interior. The design is both impressive and usable. The buttons are covered in a unique silver coating that adds to the excitement of the interior space and makes it feel even more upscale. 

The Telluride offers complete 360-degree camera coverage that is used to deliver some very interesting features. For starters, the camera can be used for parking and display a complete 360-degree view of the Kia as if you’re flying overhead leading to safer parking and a great wow factor for new passengers. These cameras are also used to prevent blind spots showing a live camera feed on the digital gauge cluster to prevent collision and make merging that much safer. 

These cameras are also used in Kia’s unique Highway Driving Assist 2 system which offers a comprehensive cruise control system. Your Telluride won’t drive itself, but the system helps maintain following distances from other cars, helps with merging, and follows a set speed. This system isn’t the most advanced driver assistance offering, however, it is a nice addition that leads to a more relaxed driving experience. 

Outside of headline-grabbing tech, Telluride does a great job offering every single occupant access to a charging port for their smartphones. This attention to detail is sure to keep your passengers happy, especially on longer trips. 

The Everyday Friendly SUV

The Kia Telluride is built to take on your everyday life. It won’t carry you down a mountain trail or inspire spirited driving down your favorite backroads either. Instead, it will keep you and your passengers comfortable, entertained, and safe. 

It’s this focus on everyday excellence that makes the Telluride a compelling 3-row SUV with impressive attention to detail. The Kia Telluride is a purpose-built family hauler much like a Lotus sports car is suited for spirited driving. This near-luxury SUV is a segment benchmark and the SUV to beat and that’s why it deserves to be in your driveway.