2023 Kia Telluride – Test Drive, Review, Ratings, Specs

A Top Contender in the Full Size SUV Segment

When it comes to full-size 3 row SUV haulers, the trustworthy Japanese contenders such as the Toyota Highlander and Honda Passport come to mind. But there’s a new kid on the block not too far away from the small island. The Koreans have been quietly pushing out the Kia Telluride with new and daring design, practicality and an overall smooth ride via a naturally aspirated V6 engine. It’s even got a bit of off-roading capability as well with the X-Line/Pro trim capable of towing up to a very respectable 5500 pounds of towing capacity. All of which, makes for a worthy alternative to the full-size crossover SUV narrative.

Kia continues to offer new features from its initial debut back in 2020 with a new front grille design, re-designed headlamps, and a revamped front bumper. An all-new digital instrument panel with dual 12.3 inch screens that homogenize the instrument cluster and infotainment screen also makes its way into model year 2023 as one of the most exciting new feature.

LX	$37,225
S	$39,200
EX	$42,900
EX X-Line	$47,050
SX	$47,100
SX X-Line	$50,450
SX X-Pro	$51,500
SX Prestige	$51,990
SX Prestige X-Line	$53,400
SX Prestige X-Pro	$54,350

Powertrain

All models get a naturally aspirated V6 rated at 291 horsepower and 262 lb.ft of torque. A modern eight-speed automatic transmission also makes its way into the powertrain to offer smooth and crisp shifts between gears while balancing fuel economy and performance. Front-wheel drive comes standard with the Telluride X-line and up offers options for AWD configuration for added traction and stability. Other unique features is its off-roading capability with 8.4″ of ground clearance and the ability to tow up to 5,500 lbs when equipped with AWD.

While running on a larger V6, the Telluride still achieves respectable fuel economy at 20/26 mpg for both city and highway driving on front-wheel drive models. AWD models will get 1 mpg less. That falls slightly short in fuel economy to the Toyota Highlander at 20/27 mpg with also no options for a smaller sized four-cylinder engine.

Interior and Comfort

Where the Telluride makes up for is its clean, contemporary and comfortable interior boasting excellent build quality and higher-end materials used in its construction. Higher SX trims offer more luxury and convenient features such as both heated and ventilated front and rear seats, Nappa-leather upholstery, heads-up display and driver memory settings.

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Buyers also have the option to configure second row seating with dual captain seats, or a single 3-passnegler bench seat. And thanks to is large form full-size SUV form factor, plenty of cargo space is available even with full a full passenger load available in the trunk bed.

KIA continues to be one of the leaders in electronics and the infotainment system on the Telluride shows. The front dashboard features dual 12.3″ touchscreens that spans across the instrument cluster and infotainment system. The center panel is also intuitively designed to provide menu shortcuts and other convenient features available on the infotainment system.

Test Drive and Final Thoughts

The peppy acceleration from its naturally aspirated V6 is immediately noticeable. No turbo lag, or driver intervention, just raw power that’s rare in today’s terms. Despite a slight lack of driver engagement, the Telluride still offered plenty of road comfort while doing a good job at insulating road noise and external wind shear. Excellent driver ergonomics and visibility were also positive notes taken during our week’s long test drive.

Another reason you might want to pick one up is its comprehensive coverage. Limited warranty covers 5 years, or 60,000 miles with the powertrain warranty covering 10 years, or 100,000 miles, which is very generous.

All in all, the KIA Telluride offers a fresh looks and clean lines with plenty of organic road power and capability to fit the needs of everyday practicality expected that from a full-size SUV.

Specifications

• Vehicle : 2023 Kia Telluride
• Model : SX X-Line
• Vehicle Type : 7-Passenger SUV
• Seating Capacity :2+2+3
• Engine : V-6
• Transmission : 8-Speed Automatic
• Price as tested: $53,400

Pros

• Clean and contemporary looks
• Excellent design and build quality in interior cabin space
• Excellent infotainment system
• Smooth and power-capable ride with a naturally aspirated V-6
• Capable of 5500 lbs towing capacity

Cons

• Other competitors offer complementary scheduled maintenance
• Smaller and more fuel-efficient engine options not available