Monday, June 5, 2023

2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Line AWD: One Of The Gold Standards For Three-Row Crossovers


Highlight: The Telluride is standard on all trims.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $54,120 (Base LX FWD$37, 255)

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8 passenger seating

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; rear view mirror; tire mobility kit; hill start assist; stability control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a blind spot warning system; a lane keep assist system; a lane following assist system; a high beam assist system; a radar activated cruise control with stop and go system; a co-pilot assist system; a rear traffic cross assist system; and a temporary spare tire

Standard Equipment (LX): 18-inch wheels; front wheel drive; a variety of driving modes; manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a 4-inch driver’s information cluster; a navigation system; pseudo leather; second row center arm rests with cupholders; chrome interior door handles; standard door scuff plates


Standard Equipment (SX X-Line): 20-inch all-terrain tires; all-wheel drive; a higher ground clearance, raised roof rails; downhill brake control; navigation system; a self-leveling rear suspension; tow mode optimizing performance; LED fog lights; LED rear combination lamps; gloss black outside mirror lower trim; power folding mirrors; reverse tilt power outdoor mirrors; aero wiper blades; dual sunroof with front tilt side functionality; 12-inch driver’s information cluster; automatic mirrors; stainless steel door scuff plates; leather seats; and power adjustable driver’s seat including cushion extensions…

Options: Wolf gray paint; Terracotta interior color; and carpeted floor mats

Other Trim Levels:

S

EX

SX Priop

SXP

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a xx-speaker AM/FM/HD

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles

Horsepower/Engine (Base Model): 291-hp

Towing Capacity: 5,500 lbs (X-line/X Pro)

Standard Fuel Mileage: 31-city/41-hwy (base model)

Fuel Type: Regular

What’s New:  The brand’s popular three-row crossover adds two new all-wheel drive off road trims: X-Line and X-Pro. Both trims are designed for off roading, enhance towing and a higher clearance level.

Moreover, the crossover receives a midcycle exterior refresh and an optional dual 12-inch driver’s screen and a navigation screen.


Pros:

A navigation system is standard

A new offroad package, X Line and X Pro for ‘true off-roading’

All-wheel drive available

A higher ground clearance available

20-inch wheels

Roomy vehicle

Maintains a high resale value

A co-pilot driving assist system with a lane changing assist system

A dual gigantic driver’s information screen and navigation screen

An available self-leveling rear suspension

A new downhill brake control system

A variety of driving modes

A remote power liftgate

A premium sounding 10-speaker audio system

Wireless charging

An in-car driver talk system, which enhances communication for both second and third-row occupants

A host of standard safety driving aids

But: 

Since its introduction, the price of the base model has increased by $1,130 a year.

No plug-in model (PHEV)

Verdict:  Since coming to the market into 2020, the Kia Telluride has been a homerun for the Korean brand. The Telluride has hit a sweet spot with Kia, making it the third best-selling vehicle in the brand’s portfolio. To some, it’s the poor man’s Range Rover. However, unlike the pricey Range Rover, the Telluride offers the fit, finish, ride quality and features, at a price point, that makes the vehicle affordable, even with a slight dealer mark up.

Kia's rugged looking vehicle expands its offering for the 2023 model year seeking to attract consumers who yearn to take their seven-passenger vehicle off-roading. New for this year, the X Line and X Pro trims can be configured with a raised roof rail, a higher ground clearance, a downhill brake control and increased towing capacity. In fact, Kia is pushing the vehicle closer in the lane of the body on frame SUVs like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The all-new X Line and X Pro trims on the Kia out tows the Ford Explorer, but doesn't match the Grand Cherokee L, the three-row SUV towing leader.

Moreover, the Telluride, with its larger display screen, and vast array of standard safety driver’s aids continue to attract a high number of conquest buyers to the brand.

Overall, the roomy Telluride, which is available in a variety of trims, is a fan favorite of ours, as well as most consumers who have invested in one.

Competition: Chevrolet Traverse; GMC Acadia; Honda Pilot; Mazda CX-9; Nissan Pathfinder; Toyota Highlander; and Volkswagen Atlas

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