The Kia Telluride: Is it dependable? The projected reliability rating for the 2022 Kia Telluride is 85 out of 100. A predicted reliability score from J.D. Power of 91 to 100 is regarded as the best, 81 to 90 as great, 70 to 80 as medium, and 0-69 as fair and below average.
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What issues is the Kia Telluride experiencing?
Headlight problems are the subject of almost 20% of NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Kia Telluride.
Some people say that the low beam headlights are overly bright and divert attention from other drivers in oncoming traffic. Others complain that their high-beam headlights never turn on, perform erratically, or work only occasionally.
Numerous concerns include inadequate peripheral lighting from the headlights and extremely weak lights that make it impossible for drivers to see the side of the road when driving through curves or on dark roads.
Is Telluride still worth something?
Because of the stellar reviews for the midsize SUV, the Kia Telluride, purchasing one would seem like a no-brainer, but what about resale value? The typical new car is retained for 8.4 years. What happens after those years, when you’re ready for a new car?
For determining the fair market value of secondhand cars, turn to Kelley Blue Book. The MSRP for the 2020 Kia Telluride was $31,890. A 2020 Telluride with less than 35,000 miles has a fair market value of $38,155, according to Kelley Blue Book. Surprisingly, in some circumstances, secondhand Telluride models cost more than brand-new Tellurides.
Why is the Telluride so highly regarded? Due to the high demand for the highly-liked car, the midsize SUV maintains its value well. Although it might not necessarily be more dependable than other SUVs, people are interested in it. Prices for used cars can rise due to supply shortages and increases in demand. This also applies to the well-known Toyota Tacoma.
In conclusion, the Telluride appears to have incredible long-term resale value. The nameplate only made its debut in 2019, so it will take some time for us to determine how well it holds its value as it ages. The Telluride is a fantastic choice to purchase as a new vehicle and is not the finest used vehicle option, according to KBB’s fair market value estimate.
How long does a Kia Telluride last?
For 2020, Kia unveiled the midsize Telluride SUV. The vehicle immediately outsold the Sorento and Sedona, becoming the best-selling three-row vehicle for the manufacturer. There haven’t been any significant dependability issues with the SUV reported to date.
What is the lifespan of a Kia Telluride then? The typical Kia Telluride could endure 200,000 to 250,000 miles without experiencing too many problems thanks to its dependable Lambda II engine. Since 2011, many Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been driven by variations of the motor, all of which have a 200,000-mile range.
According to forums for the Kia Telluride, one owner claims to have logged 168,000 miles without experiencing any issues. In one update, they even include a picture of the odometer as evidence. In this instance, the battery and alternator failed, totaling $1,100. Alternators typically last up to 150,000 miles, so even this is an accomplishment.
Others suggest traveling between 40,000 and 70,000 miles, which is still a sizable amount given the SUV’s brief tenure on the market. However, these people still anticipate many more years of dependable service thanks to Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain guarantee.
What is the appeal of Telluride?
The Telluride from Kia is a brand-new SUV in a popular market that has received high marks from both the media and customers. The SUV won the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year title for 2020 from the North American Car of the Year jury, and it is MotorTrend’s SUV of the Year for that year.
These accolades undoubtedly suggest excellence, but do the sales figures support these awards? Absolutely, they do. Kia refers to the Telluride as the “Sell-u-ride” because the model is so well-liked, according to Automobile Magazine. What will it mean for the Kia brand and is it really as excellent as many people seem to think?
Is It As Good as People Say?
In a recent review, I found the Kia Telluride to be almost as good as the segment leaders, but I felt it fell short in a few crucial areas.
The inside materials looked beautiful but lacked the feel I desired from them, and I had problems with the fit and finish inside the cabin. The materials on the A-pillars were not well fitted in my tester, and the center console compartment doors felt cheap and occasionally refused to close. The region around the rearview mirror was also a little loose. The Telluride felt large on the road, and the drive also didn’t feel as as polished as I’d hoped.
Despite all of these issues, it was still a competent SUV. It is somewhat larger than the competitors, quite comfortable, and safe, but I was a little surprised by what I discovered given how highly the car is regarded by other journalists I know and trust.
However, I thought the car was a strong contender in a competitive market. The three-row midsize SUV is challenging to get right, but Kia has succeeded. The model is deserving of some acclaim, but I’m not sure if it lives up to everyone’s high expectations. Even if they are only marginally superior, there are better models out there.
The fact that the Telluride is a new model and that it was produced by Kia is part of the reason it is receiving so much acclaim and appreciation. Currently, Kia is a company whose reputation is booming. In 2018, the business unveiled the Stinger GT sports sedan, and it now offers the Telluride for families. These products are assisting in reshaping the Kia brand in the perspective of many individuals.
How Well Is It Selling?
There were 58,595 Tellurides sold in the year they were originally sold. That’s a significant amount, and the Telluride pretty much right away established itself as a major participant in the Midsize SUV market. Although the Kia continues to sell far less than the class leaders, such as the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, it is obvious that the business may make significant strides with this model.
The obvious truth is that Kia is dealing with a genuine winner. It has been successful in garnering the media’s admiration, which has led to customers visiting dealers to learn more about this new Kia SUV. The dealers work their magic once they arrive, and then bing! The money pours down like rain. The Telluride is unquestionably a wise investment.
What Is the Importance of the Telluride?
The Telluride is significant for several reasons, the first and most crucial of which is how well it is selling. Kia could always use more money to reinvest in the company, grow its operations, and conduct research and development for new goods. From a financial standpoint, the Telluride is a contender. Now, it matters to Kia.
But the situation is more complicated than that. For the past two decades, Kia has been working hard to dispel the notion that its cars are unattractive and inexpensive. The business intends to elevate the brand’s aspirational status.
I would say that the Telluride is another step in that direction, just as the Stinger GT was and is. No, it’s not some expensive, sporty car, but it capitalizes on the Stinger’s brand equity by using part of it. The Telluride is also helping the corporation better develop its brand. Almost everyone, both customers and detractors, agrees that the model is an improvement over the company’s earlier products. I anticipate positive developments for both Telluride and Kia as a whole if the firm can maintain the trend.
What drawbacks exist with Kia vehicles?
Kia may have improved in a number of areas, such as the electronic and hybrid market, but some of their models still fall short when it comes to safety. For instance, reviews of the Kia Seltos have been mostly negative due to the lack of safety features that are commensurate with the vehicle’s pricing.
Both hill hold and brake assist are absent. At the moment, features like an electric parking brake are rather widespread. The Kia Rio, which lacks adaptive cruise control, a review camera, and even blind-spot monitoring, is the same.
Do individuals favor Kia Telluride?
The Telluride has wowed purchasers and critics alike since it first hit the market. Despite the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic issues, it experienced record sales in 2020 and again in 2021. Kia nonetheless managed to keep the Telluride SUV at the top of the sales lists despite supply chain problems and a scarcity of semiconductor chips.
The Telluride SUV was a victim of this scam before these “market adjustments” were commonplace. Dealerships raised the price much above MSRP if customers could find a brand-new Telluride. People are consistently willing to pay more for a car that someone else wants, thus tactics like this one are effective.
Kia’s 2021 sales statistics show that the Telluride wasn’t even the brand’s top seller. With 115,929 units sold, the Kia Forte was the best-selling vehicle, followed by the Sportage SUV with 94,601 sales. With 93,705 units sold in 2021, the Telluride came in third. 20 percent more cars were sold by the brand in 2021 compared to 2020.
Is the Kia Telluride a weak vehicle?
Three-row SUVs aren’t always fun to drive, and their usage as family haulers frequently results in drab exterior styling that doesn’t exactly inspire passion. So why are Kia Telluride owners and members of the automotive journalistic community gushing about it and singing its praises from the mountaintops?
The Telluride offers all the desired features of a family hauler, including practicality, spaciousness, comfort, extensive amenities, technology, and safety. This vehicle also comes in an appealing package that, especially in higher trim levels, almost resembles a luxury vehicle without being prohibitively expensive.
Since its release in 2020, the Telluride has established itself as the industry standard for three-row midsized SUVs. In a nutshell, it is the market’s top choice overall.
It is not faultless. Its V6 isn’t very economical, and the suspension leans over potholed roads while also being a little stiff in the corners. The Telluride’s general competence certainly outweighs this little list of drawbacks, though.
A 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and mated to an eight-speed automated transmission powers all variants. The Telluride’s 18-inch front wheels (20-inch versions are standard on top trims) receive its power, with all-wheel drive being an option on all models for a $2,000 premium.
When the engine’s full 262-foot-pounds of torque is used, it has plenty of grunt and passing power but isn’t very nimble around town. With the exception of a lack of initial vigor at lower speeds, the engine delivers power smoothly and never felt inadequate. In most cases, it goes beyond the gusto required for regular driving circumstances.
The Kia’s brake pedal has significant advancement to enable the right driver’s foot to respond as expected, and the steering has just the appropriate amount of weight to feel accurate without being heavy (or left, if they are feeling adventurous, I suppose).
The Telluride appears smaller from the driver’s seat than its footprint would imply. Additionally, unlike many of its three-row rivals, driving it doesn’t make an enthusiast lose their will to live, making its less-than-stellar 23 combined mpg rating (in FWD variants) more tolerable.
The Telluride is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds and has plenty of ground clearance for treks on the dirt paths for those who need it. However, most people in Metro Atlanta use their SUVs off road about as much as they make toast in the bathtub.
The Telluride comfortably outperforms its class in terms of the upmarket cabin design, amenities, and practicality.
The Telluride is stylish and made of high-quality materials regardless of trim, but it’s simple to recommend that customers consider spending more money on the top-tier SX model. Even though the highest trim costs $10,000 more than the base LX model, the SX Telluride is still a great deal at under $44,000 due to its value.
A long list of driver assistance and safety features are included in SX models, along with a dual-sunroof, 20-inch black alloy wheels, wood interior trim, 64-color ambient lighting, leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a Harmon Kardon surround sound audio system, wireless charging, and more.
The Telluride’s opulent vibe is enhanced by the SX Prestige Package’s ($2,300) Nappa leather seat upholstery, improved headliner, head-up display, and heated/ventilated second-row seats. An active all-wheel drive system and automated windshield wipers are also included in the package.
There are six USB connections distributed among the three seats, three power outlets, and standard connectivity for SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and those longer road trips.
Even though some of the Telluride’s rivals offer many of these features in higher trims, the Kia seems completely composed and like it was built to compete with luxury options rather than just being a model that could have some premium equipment and finishes added.
With a variety of buttons and knobs for typical inputs that are arranged logically and feel strong, everyday usability is likewise excellent.
The three rows offer plenty of room for passengers. The second row comes with a standard 60/40 split bench and captain’s chairs in higher trims, and there is still 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats. When the second row of seats is folded down, the volume increases to 46 cubic feet.
The Kia can easily fit a chest of drawers that was willing to donate when the back seats are folded down. I use the word willing because when I attempted to renovate it, I did such a poor job that a donation center declined to take it.
While I was testing the 2021 model, Kia announced that the Telluride would receive more improvements in 2022. The bottom two versions, the LX and S, will receive extra amenities including fully automatic climate control and a 10.3-inch touchscreen that will replace the 8-inch display that was previously standard. The $700 increase over ’21 versions seems well worth it because they will also be equipped with adaptive cruise control that connects to the navigation system and adjusts the Kia’s speeds around turns like some Mercedes models.
For 2022, Kia has also slightly updated the Telluride, which will have its new logo.
These improvements merely enhance an SUV that already offers nearly everything customers could need in a family hauler while exuding a sense of quality and unquestionable value.
Buying a three-row from any other non-luxury brand is consciously going with second (or worse) best. The equally superb Hyundai Palisade, its sister model, is the sole serious rival for total competency.
So yeah, I am another auto journalist who is gushing about the Telluride. But that ought to say a lot.
Except when they are extraordinarily wonderful or shockingly horrible, three-rows aren’t extremely fun to test or write about. And I can guarantee you that the Telluride is exceptional.