2024 Kia Telluride is a proven winner

Published 11:30 am Friday, January 19, 2024

There’s a reason why Kia dealers and staff refer to the Telluride midsize SUV as the “Sell-You-Ride.” The same reason is why this is one of the most popular SUVs on the market. This three-row SUV is a home run for Kia, as the comparable Palisade is for Kia’s sister brand, Hyundai.

Starting from the outside, the Telluride is a good-looking SUV. It’s masculine without being ridiculously macho like so many SUVs are today. Rather, it recalls the glory days of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, when a good SUV didn’t need to look like a GI Joe toy car. The Telluride uses a basic two-box design, well executed and functional.

Inside, it’s much the same story. The Kia interior is easy to use, comfortable, and all business. Controls are straightforward and the first time you sit in the Telluride, you’ll know where everything is and how to use it. The second row seats are firm and offer plenty of legroom, while the whole cabin promotes great visibility and has plenty of air and space. You can get your Telluride in 7-seat configuration with second row captain chairs, or a bench seat for 8-passenger use.

On the dash there’s a single pane of glass stretching from the driver’s side to the center, comprising one screen for the driver and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment and navigation. Like all things Kia, the software interface is easy to use and well-designed.

Under the hood, the Telluride includes a 3.8-liter V6, which pulls like the V8 engines you find on more expensive SUVs. It’s got an 8-speed automatic transmission and your choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. There’s a tow-haul mode button right on the dash if you want to use the Telluride’s 5,000-pound towing capacity.

When you consider all the upgrade possibilities, the Telluride comes in 10 different trim levels, ranging from basic at $35,990 up to rugged and luxurious at $53,185. If you get the top SX-Prestige X-Pro AWD model, it’s got everything you could possibly want in an SUV. Everything from a Harman-Kardon audio system and wireless charging pad to Nappa leather throughout.

The test drive is where the Telluride closes the deal. The SUV feels solid and secure without being large and ponderous. There’s plenty of engine power, but not so much that you feel like it’s being wasteful. The V6 engine returns 18 MPG in city driving and 24 MPG on the highway, which is very good for its class.

The bottom line on the 2024 Kia Telluride is that if you need a quality family wagon, Kia gets top marks across the board for building great, long-lasting vehicles, and they’re made right here in America with a 10-year warranty. This is an SUV that will take you where you need to go for a long time to come.

2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige AWD X-Pro

Base price: $53,185

Price as tested: $55,540

Type: Midsize SUV

Engine: 3.8-liter V6 (291 hp, 262 lbs-ft)

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

EPA estimated mileage: 18/24

Overall length: 196.9 inches

Curb weight: 4,524 pounds

Final assembly: West Point, Georgia