2020 Kia Telluride Test Drive Review: Beautifully Executed Three-Row Crossover
The three-row family crossover is a difficult trick to pull off well. It has to be big, but make it too big and bulky, and you need a thirsty engine under the hood. Within that size constraint, there also has to be a balance in space for the seven or eight occupants and their cargo. It also has to have enough room for everyone to be reasonably comfortable on a long journey, and useful stashing places for their personal effects. For the longest time, Kia has offered the Sorento as its big family solution. However, when put up against competitors like the Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent, it has fallen short in passenger and cargo space. With the all-new Telluride, Kia has gone back to the drawing board and delivered something special, and it's a lot less expensive than it looks.
The Telluride delivers a well thought out and premium experience while also addressing the Sorento's shortcomings, and cranking its size for a market that loves a big vehicle. The Telluride is stacked with utility, offers plenty of space along with a generous cargo area, family-focused features, bold styling, and it drives well. The Telluride isn't without its faults, but it's a compelling vehicle at a persuasive price and has already drummed up a dedicated fanbase of owners.
What's the Price of the 2020 Kia Telluride?
Competitive pricing is the name of the game over at Kia, and it's clear to see that they have taken on a rather aggressive pricing strategy by placing the entry-level Telluride on par with the Honda Pilot, one of the most loved in the category. The entry-level LX starts off at $31,690, going up to $33,990 for the S. The more premium EX goes for $37,090, and it's the SX that breaks the $40k barrier with an MSRP of $41,490. The corporate focussed Hyundai Palisade asks a slight premium over the Telluride, but not by much; the top of the line Palisa is a mere $2,900 dearer. Prices exclude a destination fee of $1,095 and if you wish to add AWD to the mix, expect to pay an additional $2,000.
2020 Telluride Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
196.9 in | 114.2 in | 69.3 in | 78.3 in | 67.2 in | 67.6 in | 4,112.0 lbs |
2020 Telluride Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The Telluride is a remarkably smooth drive, even getting off the pavement and onto a roughly hewn track. It's not an off-road specialist, but making your way down to a campsite shows off the sophistication in the suspension tuning by remaining comfortable to passengers. Out on the road, the chassis doesn't lean like a large SUV is expected to, but instead stays flat and keeps the Telluride in shape - even when you get your hustle on.
The steering is light, but Sport mode makes it heavier while tightening up the throttle response. But, Comfort mode is where the Telluride will spend the majority of its time and makes the SUV a pleasure to drive daily. We spent most of our time in Kia's Smart mode that automatically switches between Comfort and Sport depending on how you're driving and does a good enough job that you can simply set and forget. Overall, the Telluride stands out by feeling like an excellent two-row crossover bred to be fun to drive, but has the functionality of more size and a third row.
2020 Telluride Interior
2020 Telluride Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
---|---|---|---|
5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 10 Years / 100,000 Miles | 5 Years / 100,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
---|---|---|---|
5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2020 Kia Telluride A Good SUV?
What we have here is the new segment leader, and it has stolen the Honda Pilot's crown in our eyes. It has minor flaws, but we stand by our words from our first drive, declaring it as one of the best three-row SUVs money can buy. To find something more luxurious, you have to spend a lot more money; and to find something more functional and family-friendly, spending more money won't help. It has small areas that could be improved upon, but absolutely nothing is a deal-breaker. Add Kia's Kia's 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, and you have the most compelling SUV on the market right now. We would encourage people looking for a three-row crossover to shop around, and then let us know when they've bought the Telluride.
What Kia Telluride Model Should I Buy?
Kia makes picking out and optioning a Telluride easy to do based on budget, needs, and wants. The SX trim brings an almost luxury experience, but it's far from necessary in a family hauler. The LX is an absolute bargain in price and features and makes for an excellent everyday driver for running family missions. We would step up to the S or EX if there are a couple of family trips coming around each year, and choose a seating layout purely dependent on needs.
The Telluride doesn't just work as a large family machine, though. In SX trim, with or without the prestige package, the Telluride becomes a roomy and upscale SUV for small families aiming for adventurous weekends or couples wanting to find outdoor thrills or romantic getaways.
2020 Kia Telluride Comparisons
2020 Kia Telluride vs Honda Pilot
It's a tight battle between the Telluride and Pilot, as they go toe to toe in each category. The Honda Pilot starts at $31,550, $140 less than the Telluride, and is powered by a similar naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that produces 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, slightly down on power when compared to the Telluride. The Pilot matches the Tellurides 23 mpg combined gas mileage but has a slightly larger fuel tank. However, the Honda Pilot can't match the Telluride for interior space, with the Korean car outclassing it in almost every measurement, including the all-important trunk and cargo space category. The Kia offers more standard interior features and a better warranty, but the Honda Pilot matches it in terms of safety levels. If its space and comfort you're after, the new kid on the block is one of the best deals going.
2020 Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Palisade
These cars share a platform, running gear, and engine, the only difference being the body design, some features, and the target market. Whereas the Telluride is aimed at large families who live active lifestyles, the Hyundai Palisade is aimed at the corporates, middle managers, and suit and ties you see parking in nondescript parking lots across our fair nation. The Palisade is a slightly heavier vehicle and suffers at the gas station with a combined cycle of 22 mpg. Where the Palisade comes into its own is its more premium features list as standard, although most of the same can be had on the Kia is you spec carefully. Ultimately, it's likely to come down to brand preference, but for similar money, the Telluride is more spacious, and in our opinion, better value for money.