What is a Telluride? A Telluride is a midsize 3 row SUV built in the West Point, Georgia USA assembly plant and sold in North America by Kia. Telluride is Kia’s award winning entry into the very competitive midsize SUV class and has been a top tier seller since day one. The new additions to the 2024 Telluride are amber LED daytime running lights and an aggressive new X-Line package that includes several gloss black exterior trim accents.
The Telluride is a great 3 row SUV, as it offers an upscale interior with very comfortable seats, a high tech and easy to use infotainment system and plenty of passenger room and cargo space at an impressive entry level price. In the most competitive segment of the SUV market, Kia introduced the Telluride in 2020 and immediately made a name for itself by winning the prestigious Motor Trend magazine’s 2020 SUV of the year award.
This week Kia sent me a 2024 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Line V6 AWD SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this X-Line model is $52,185. The options on the test SUV are: the special paint for $495, the carpeted floor mats for $225, the rear cargo cover for $155 and the carpeted cargo mat with seat back protection for $115. The manufactures suggested retail price (MSRP), including the $1,365 destination charge, is $54,540.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your driveway total purchase price came to: $61,358. At just over $61 Grand, this midsize SUV price wise slots into the middle of the midsize class, but has a list of options and comfort features that rival several SUV’s that cost thousands of dollars more.
The Kia Telluride has plenty of room for both passengers and cargo; making it perfect for growing families. The cabin is designed with comfort in mind, with supportive seats and plenty of legroom. The Telluride has 3 rows of seats, providing plenty of space for the driver, front passenger, and everybody else in the 2nd and 3rd rows, plus all their gear.
Power comes from a 3.8L liter direct injected V/6 gas engine with 291 horsepower (HP) and 262 lb-ft of torque, bolted to an 8 speed automatic transmission, then routed into an active on-demand all wheel drive (AWD) traction control system. Stability is assisted by a self-leveling rear air suspension system with full time towing mode control.
The 2024 Kia Telluride comes with a full array of advanced driver assisted safety systems, and they start with: a forward collision avoidance system including pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning, blind spot collision warning, rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist, safe exit assist and highway driving assist, parking distance warning in forward and reverse, smart cruise control with stop and go and reverse parking collision avoidance assist. Everything you need to stay safe and sound on the road 24/7.
Not to be outdone by the competition, the Kia Telluride has a list of interior comfort items and convenience features that are in the upscale level, at a midlevel price, starting with: a dual 12.3″ screen with panoramic display and navigation, a surround view monitor, a blind spot monitor, head up display, SiriusXM radio, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, a smart key with push button start, remote start, a digital rear view mirror, a 110 volt power outlet, a wireless phone charger, Nappa leather seat trim, a memory drivers seat, heated and ventilated power adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated 2nd row captains chairs, a smart phone digital key, rear seat occupant alert with ultrasonic sensors and a heated steering wheel for those cold winter mornings.
Exterior upgrades include: dual sunroofs, LED projection headlights, a smart powered rear lift gate, power folding and heated outside mirrors with turn signals, black roof rails and rear privacy glass. The X-Line trim adds in a set of 20″ black alloy wheels, X-Line exterior styling and the rear air suspension system with tow mode. So not only does the new 2024 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Line run, drive and sound great; it looks great too.
Call, click or visit your local Kia dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2024 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Line V6 AWD SUV. And remember that the base price for a new Telluride starts at only $35,990. Kia – Movement that Inspires.
Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Have a great day, drive safely, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright – Tony the Car Guy.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to [email protected] and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
