SUV Review: 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line

Article content

The Kia Telluride is named after the famed downhill-ski town in Colorado, and for 2023, you’ll at least look like you have a better chance of getting one to a very snowy destination. The automaker has made numerous updates to its three-row SUV, including two new trims that are meant to at least look a little more rugged.

Article content

All trims receive refreshed styling, an improved infotainment system, more standard driver-assist features, and a larger wireless charging pad to handle similarly-upsized phones, along with a new head-up display and camera-based rearview mirror on upper trims.

In addition to the existing EX, SX and SX Limited, the new trims are my tester, the X-Line, along with the X-Pro that is now the Telluride’s top trim. Both have dark exterior trim accents and embossed leather upholstery. They have more ground clearance, but it’s a mere 10 mm; they’re really more appearance packages than anything, although the X-Pro further adds all-terrain tires. Both have a tow-mode setting, and while my X-Line can tow a maximum of 5,000 lbs as the lower trims, the X-Pro can go to 5,500 lbs.

Article content

Article content

The entry EX trim starts at $50,195, while my X-Line begins at $61,195. The trim levels top out with the X-Pro at $62,795. That said, most buyers will pay just a bit more: Kia only includes black paint with the price, and every other shade adds $250.

A sibling to the Hyundai Palisade, the Telluride uses a 3.8L V6 that makes 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All trims have all-wheel drive that primarily runs the front wheels but transfers up to 50 per cent of power to the rear as needed for traction.

It’s one of the better drivers in the segment, with smooth acceleration and equally-smooth transmission shifts, well-weighted steering, a composed and comfortable ride, and quiet cabin. It feels smaller than it is, partially thanks to a very tight turning circle as well as its responsive handling. It’s officially rated by Natural Resources Canada at 12.8 L/100 km in the city, 9.8 on the highway, and 11.4 in combined driving. In my time with it, I averaged 13.7 L/100 km, and it takes 87-octane gasoline.

Article content

The Kia Telluride isn’t inexpensive, but it’s well-equipped, and the X-Line’s upscale interior design and materials live up to it. All trims include a 12.3-inch centre screen with navigation, wireless charger, hands-free power liftgate, LED headlights and taillights, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, and power-folding mirrors.

All trims also have emergency front braking, highway driving assist, blind-spot monitoring and collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlamps. Move up the trim levels and you also get a blind-view monitor, which in addition to the blind-spot warning light, broadcasts a video in the instrument cluster of what’s alongside when you activate the turn signal. Other features in the higher trims include a premium stereo, heated and cooled front seats, emergency rear braking, dual sunroof, and 360-degree camera.

Article content

The EX and SX have seating for eight, while the SX Limited and the X-Line trims hold a maximum of seven, due to second-row captain’s chairs that are also heated and cooled as the front seats are. In addition to the items found on lower trims, the SX Limited further adds a self-levelling rear suspension, head-up display, and camera rearview mirror. The X-Line is the next step up and, other than its very minimal rise in ground clearance and tow mode setting, is pretty much an appearance package, with its 20-inch gloss-black wheels, black exterior accents, and the embellished leather seats. I’d probably opt for the SX Limited at $59,195 and keep the X-Line’s extra $2,000 in my pocket.

Article content

The Kia Telluride is very roomy in the first and second rows, and while most adults don’t want to spend much time in the third row, it’s more spacious back there than in many rival vehicles. The front seats are very supportive and comfortable on long trips, and the second-row chairs are also easy on the spine. You get 601 litres of cargo space with the third row up, and both it and the second row fold down for extra room if you’re moving larger items.

The Telluride is a mechanical twin to the Hyundai Palisade, but there are considerable differences in their controls and centre consoles. Both combine the centre infotainment system and instrument cluster into a single tablet-style screen that’s integrated into the dash, and both have a collection of hard buttons and dials for most of the frequently-used functions, such as climate control or for bringing up screen menus. But I find the Telluride’s control placement makes them a shade easier to find and quickly access; and while the Hyundai version uses a pushbutton transmission shifter, including an awkwardly-positioned Park button off to the side, the Kia has a conventional PRNDL-style lever that I like better. It really comes down to whichever style you prefer.

It’s still hard to beat a minivan for people-hauling, with its sliding doors and interior configuration, but they’ve been on the outs with most buyers for a long time as drivers turn to three-row sport-utilities. If an SUV is your preference, then the Telluride is a comfortable choice and a great driver that’s a solid contender in the segment.

Check out the latest Kia Telluride model.