It’s simple to assume that the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and Ford Expedition are the top options when many buyers look for an off-road vehicle. Off-road vehicles have a much wider variety of options than that, though.
Off-roaders now have an increasing number of options thanks to the growth of the industry and the introduction of new SUVs like the Kia Telluride. In an intriguing turn of events, the incredibly well-liked 2020 Kia Telluride seems to be quite capable of hitting the trails despite not being intended for off-road driving. It was even included in U.S. News’ ranking of the best SUVs for 2020.
In This Article...
What are the Kia Telluride’s shortcomings?
Ten Arguments in Favor of Buying a Kia Telluride and a Few Arguments Against
The Telluride has received a lot of favorable press ever since it made its debut in 2019. With this three-row SUV, Kia has provided clients with a fashionable, dependable, and contemporary car. The 2021 Kia Telluride has plenty of technology and a luxurious feel. It would be a fantastic option for anyone looking for a roomy car with good handling.
Given how recent the Telluride is on the market, it makes natural that Kia hasn’t made many changes for the Telluride’s second model year. The majority of the mechanical parts are still in place, and the cabin still feels the same.
The 2021 improvements are largely aesthetic. For instance, LED headlights are now an option on the EX model, and there are two new paint shades (Black Copper and Sangria). The trailer harness has been improved from a four-pin connection to a seven-pin connection, and the key fob now has a “On” button so users can simply turn on their engines remotely. Anyone seeking a brash, urban appearance can now purchase the new Nightfall bundle. It has various components, including 20-inch wheels and a black grille.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2021 Kia TellurideThe Pros
Rev up the Engine
The large, highly capable engine that powers the 2021 Kia Telluride packs a lot of power. The Telluride’s 3.8 liter V6 engine provides effortless performance in a variety of conditions. With 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, it is powerful. Additionally, people have some flexibility in terms of moving freight because to the 5,000-pound towing capability. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that has a Sportmatic sports shifter for drivers who occasionally like the feel of a manual transmission.
2. Travel off-road
An on-demand all-wheel drive system is offered on all Telluride levels. It can keep an eye on how the wheels are doing and adjust the power supply if slippage is noticed. There is a means to lock in all-wheel drive for those situations where it is desired continuously. Additionally, a snow mode for the winter climate exists.
The Telluride offers a comparatively pleasant ride even on rough roads. It has a strong suspension system that can smooth out some of the peaks and valleys one might experience off the main track. An optional self-leveling rear suspension is offered with the SUV’s top two grades. This could improve handling even more.
3. A selection of price points
There are four Telluride models, thus Kia has been able to meet a range of price points. With a starting price of little under $32,000, the Telluride’s LX trim is reasonably priced given its size, functionality, and features. Given their enhancements, the price increases for the S and EX are each a few thousand dollars, which is more than reasonable.
The SX is priced at $42,190, which is at the high end of the spectrum. The SX may no longer be affordable for many clients as a result, but not necessarily for all. Customers who desire luxury amenities but aren’t willing to spend more than $50,000 on their next vehicles may find it to be a decent deal.
4. Plenty of Cargo Room
Three-row SUVs occasionally don’t have much room behind the back row of seats. With the Telluride, which offers 21 cubic feet of storage space in the back, this isn’t the case. This is ideal for many people who are constantly moving and need to tote a lot of equipment. The third seat may be folded down to generate 46 cubic feet of storage space, and the cargo volume can be increased to 87 cubic feet by lowering the second and third rows.
5. Straighten Your Legs
People need space to spread out and feel comfortable, especially on long road trips. There is 41.4 inches of legroom in the Telluride’s front row. There is considerably more space in the second row, where there is 42.4 inches of legroom. Since there is just 31.4 inches of legroom in the third row, children should sit there.
Select Your Cabin Configuration in Step 6
Either eight or seven people can be accommodated in the 2021 Kia Telluride. For the middle and third rows of the eight-person seating arrangement, bench chairs are used. The second row of the seven-passenger configuration has captain’s seats. This configuration appeals to some individuals since it gives the second-row passengers a more comfortable space to unwind and gives the cabin a bigger sense. Keep in mind that the LX has eight-passenger seats, the S and SX are equipped with captain’s chairs, and the EX offers passengers the option of either.
7. Put safety first
There are numerous driver-assistance features that come standard on all Telluride levels. Automatic emergency braking can lessen the likelihood that the Telluride will collide with other cars or pedestrians in its path. Drivers can better understand who is nearby thanks to blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and a number of devices can keep the SUV centered in its lane. Even if the driver’s eyes aren’t on the road, a driver attentiveness warning feature can identify it.
8. Maintain Contact
The 2021 Kia Telluride has eight-inch touchscreens in the base two trims and 10.25-inch touchscreens in the top two trims. Both Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity are commonplace. The Kia’s cabin has five or six USB ports, depending on the trim, making it possible for practically everyone to keep their gadgets completely charged.
9. Remotely start the engine
Even if the majority of people don’t necessarily need remote start, it’s undeniably a pretty cool function. The 2021 Telluride has an engine-starting button on the key fob, as was discussed before in this review. This is a very useful feature that also allows the temperature control system to start preparing the cabin for comfort.
10. High-end materials
Sofino faux leather is used to cover the seats in the LX and S trim levels. This material is upscale-looking and simple to maintain. Leather seats are added to the EX and SX, and the SX may be had with a high-end Nappa leather material. All grades include leather around the steering wheel, while the S, EX, and SX models also have leather on the shifter. The inside look of some trims is enhanced by woodgrain accents, while the SX sports distinctive stainless-steel pedals and door sill scuff trim.
buying advice
Compare prices online before buying a new car to avoid paying too much. Find out the price in advance before entering a dealership. The following free services are suggested by us: Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect, and Motortrend.
These free sites will provide you the best deals and provide you with numerous price quotations from rival businesses. Before visiting the dealer, you will be aware of the best pricing.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2021 Kia TellurideThe Cons
1. Insufficient Efficiency
The Telluride gets an estimated 20/26 (city/highway) mpg with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive reduces mileage to roughly 19/24 miles per gallon. These figures are by no means impressive, especially when compared to the other hybrids that are readily accessible.
Boxy Frame 2.
Some people like the Telluride’s external design, but not everyone. The Telluride’s frame is boxy and upright, which may turn some people off.
3. a single engine
The 2017 Kia Telluride functions and appears in many ways like a high-end SUV. The availability of multiple engine options with many luxury companies’ automobiles is one distinction, though. The Telluride just has one engine, which is a bad thing. Despite the fact that it has more than enough capacity, customers looking for a vehicle with more than 300 horsepower may not find it appealing.
4. Hills May Be Difficult
There is no equivalent functionality to the hill start assist control function, which helps the SUV move while stopped on a slope. Many SUVs on the market have a hill descent system that regulates the vehicle’s speed when going downhill. Given the weight of these vehicles and the potential for cargo hauling, it can be quite helpful. The Telluride will only require drivers to carefully watch their speed and apply the brakes when necessary.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition:
The 2021 Kia Telluride nevertheless manages to stand out in a crowded market. Comparisons to two other SUVs with comparable features can be found below. We decided on a Honda and a Toyota since they are two enduring leaders in the automotive sector.
Although the engines and capacities of these two vehicles are comparable, the Telluride outperforms the Honda Pilot in a number of crucial respects. First, it boasts greater cargo space behind the third row of seats and more second-row legroom than the Pilot does. Additionally, the Telluride is offered in all trim levels with all-wheel drive. With the Honda, that feature is not available in the base model. The technology bundle in the Telluride is also much more appealing. Its touchscreen sizes range from eight inches on the base model to 10.25 inches on higher trims. Contrarily, the Pilot’s other trims all have eight-inch touchscreens whereas the base model only has a five-inch color LCD screen.
In terms of safety, technology, and performance, the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander from 2021 are comparable. It is unquestionably more expensive than the Kia, though, and for some people, this price difference is reason enough to recommend the Telluride. The base model of the Highlander costs a few thousand dollars more than the base Telluride, which should help clarify the costs. The most expensive Highlander models, which Toyota produces in a variety, cost close to $50,000.
The Kia Telluride has swiftly gained popularity among SUV buyers who want three rows of seating for a variety of reasons. It boasts practical features, a dependable and powerful powertrain, and was created with customers in mind. Its technology was implemented to amuse, educate, and maintain the safety of drivers and their passengers.
The Telluride has undergone a few improvements for 2021, increasing its allure. Overall, this SUV offers a lot of value and would be enjoyable and useful to drive.
The Telluride is there an off-road version?
Looking for a Kia Telluride? Good luck with your hunt, which is probably going to involve a mix of dealer markups, limited inventory on Kia lots, and possibly even hand-to-hand fighting with other three-row crossover customers anxious to get their hands on the most popular family vehicle in years.
More Better
That’s right, Kia has discovered a method to further enhance the Telluride’s already exceptional allure for 2023 by sharpening the exterior appearance and introducing new X-Line and X-Pro trim levels for a touch more rugged vigor. What then is different? The internals of the headlights and taillights, the front and rear bumpers, and the lower bodyside cladding are all brand-new and have more elaborate detailing for a more premium appearance. This is in an SUV that already looked much more expensive than it actually was.
Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Wood Green are three brand-new paint hues that have been added to the palette. There are new wheel designs for each trim level. With a new dashboard with new air vents, a new steering wheel, new color schemes, and a newly optional display that runs from in front of the driver to the center of the Telluride, the three-row, eight-seat interior makes a little stride forward.
The enormous new screen unit, which is actually two 12.3-inch monitors, is similar to those in Mercedes-Benzes and, closer to home, the cutting-edge design of the new Kia EV6 electric crossover. Although the displays of the smaller Tellurides are not yet known, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a conventional gauge cluster and distinct central touchscreen similar to what the Telluride offers right now. The ’23 Telluride includes a standard WiFi hotspot regardless of display preference. Like before, buyers have the opportunity to upgrade to a larger head-up display, and a digital key that enables entry via a smartphone or Apple Watch has been added as an option.
The redesigned dashboard achieves the same result as the updated exterior: it just enhances the Telluride’s already attractive configuration. It features thinner central vents and edgier detailing. Let us remind you that this is a three-row, mainstream SUV that costs under $50,000 (well, depending on MSRP, who knows what it’ll take to convince a dealer to sell you one these days); a significant factor in why people are fighting over these vehicles is the way they appear and are constructed.
Oh, There Are Off-Road Models Now, Too
The X-Line and X-Pro, two new trim levels that join the Telluride family for 2023, each include beefier dress-up accessories to give them a sense of adventure. Only the X-Pro makes an effort to improve the Kia’s off-road capabilities, fitting Continental all-terrain tires to its 18-inch wheels that are black coated. The Telluride’s overall towing capacity is increased by 500 pounds to 5,500 pounds by the X-Pro. It also gets a 110-volt home power outlet in the cargo hold and sporty X-Pro badging and labels on the front seats. Kia also adjusts the traction control settings, installs a stronger roof rack, raises the suspension by 0.4 inches, and installs new front and rear bumpers that are allegedly better at improving the Telluride’s approach and departure angles for more clearance off-road.
Except for the tires and the towing modification, the X-Line receives the identical equipment. Additionally, the 18-inch wheels and standard tires from the Pro are replaced with 20-inch wheels and, you guessed it, X-Line badging. All-wheel drive is a standard feature on both X-trim Tellurides, even though every Telluride has the same 291-hp 3.8-liter V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride Nightfall Edition, a blacked-out special-edition trim, is no longer offered, so if you were unduly connected to it, we have bad news: The X models basically replace it.
Along with the smart decision to capitalize on Americans’ growing craze for outdoor-oriented vehicles with the X-Line and X-Pro, Kia has increased the Telluride’s level of safety to win over more buyers. Traffic sign recognition and a left-turn warning feature have been added by Kia to the already standard set of features (forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, Highway Driving Assist 1.5 adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert). This feature can intervene if you attempt to make a left turn into the path of an oncoming vehicle. The Highway Driving Assist 2 system, a more advanced version of the HDA 1.5 standard system that can even handle automated lane changes, is now readily available. It includes a version of that left-turn feature that reacts to cross traffic, oncoming traffic during a passing maneuver, and side-swipe events.
Expect that these upgrades will simply maintain the same level of consumer demand as it has been for the past three years since the Kia Telluride didn’t require any modifications to keep selling out. Pricing details and a release date are forthcoming, but in the current auto market, neither nugget is likely to mean much because the price could be several thousand dollars higher than what Kia is asking, and availability could depend on your family’s ability to physically outmuscle another family at the dealership.