After the first few miles sweeping through the towering sandstone canyons south of Gateway, Colo., in quiet, comfortable surroundings, it became obvious that Kia has a hit on its hands with the new 2020 Telluride. Sometimes you just know, right off the bat. Kia's first big three-row crossover SUV (let's all try to forget about the brief appearance of the 2009 Kia Borrego), the Telluride seats seven or eight and is set to top the South Korean brand's range of SUVs despite the company insisting that this is a mid-size model, one that goes up against things like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Honda Passport. But it's not mid-size — the Telluride is on the big end of the mid-size group, much closer in size to the Volkswagen Atlas or Chevrolet Traverse. It has more passenger room than a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV.
If this is mid-size, I can't imagine what a full-size crossover is like.
2020 Kia Telluride Specs & Reviews
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Size classification quibbles aside, the new Telluride is an exceptionally well-done new family hauler. On the smooth, fast switchbacks of the high plateaus of western Colorado, it was a stellar companion with its well-damped ride, strong acceleration, precise and communicative steering, and beautifully appointed interior.
A Strong Body
It starts with the Telluride's powertrain. The only one available is a direct-injection 3.8-liter V-6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It sends power to the front wheels, or all four with a selectable low-speed locking function as an option. Power is rated at 291 horsepower and torque at 262 pounds-feet. This isn't Kia's latest or greatest motor, but it's more than adequate for powering up mountain valleys or providing sufficient passing power on rural two-lane highways. The automatic transmission does tend to shift quite frequently in order to keep the engine in its optimum power band, but the shifts are buttery smooth and so unobtrusive that you won't mind it at all. Putting the drive mode selector into Sport mode seems to make the transmission hold lower gears longer and downshift more readily, and it provides a little extra spring in the Telluride's step.
The Telluride's ride and handling behavior are also excellent. It does exhibit some notable body roll in high-speed sweepers, and the heft of the vehicle means you're not likely to do much spirited driving, but the more important characteristic of a big family SUV like this is stable, comfortable control, which the Telluride excels at. An optional self-leveling rear air suspension on the top SX trim that I tested was able to maintain a level ride height even when loaded up with people or stuff. The steering feel is firm and transmits to the driver quite well what the wheels and pavement are doing. Ride quality is excellent even with the larger, 20-inch wheels on my SX trim test car — 18-inch wheels are standard equipment and should make the Telluride's ride even plusher. Even at 40 mph on a rock-strewn dirt road, nothing upset the Telluride's chassis or steering, an astonishing feat.
The Telluride is also rated to tow a 5,000-pound trailer, which represents a decent-size family camper. The payload rating is roughly 1,300-1,500 pounds depending on trim level, so a family of four supposedly can bring along luggage and that camper with no problem.
Comfortable, Spacious and Well-Appointed
Inside, the Telluride is spacious, quiet and comfortable. The front seats have excellent thigh support, plenty of width and just enough bolstering to keep you in place without being too flat or too padded. Materials quality is outstanding throughout, and the top-level SX trim is impressive for the fact that none of the metal or wood trim is real, but damned if you won't think it is. Genuine Nappa leather covers those comfortable seats, which can hold seven or eight occupants depending on which seating option you've chosen.
Cars.com photos by Aaron Bragman
The second-row captain's chairs fold forward with the touch of a button for easier access to the sizable third row, which Kia says can hold three people and has provided seat belts for that many. Suffice it to say that these will be tiny people, and that while the third row is acceptably comfortable for two full-sized adults, three is not reasonable. Legroom can be negotiated between second- and third-row passengers thanks to sliding second-row seats, allowing compromise for adequate space for everyone. All rows also get to enjoy USB charging ports for keeping everyone's personal electronics topped off.
Loaded With Tech
Up front, you won't need your personal electronics — there are enough goodies included in Kia's latest multimedia system to keep you entertained, as the loaded Telluride is chock-full of useful technology. Unlike the mechanically identical Hyundai Palisade that's coming later in 2019, the Telluride doesn't get a fully digital instrument panel. The gauges behind the steering wheel are analog, though there's a display between them that ties into cameras in the side mirrors and can show the view from Kia's Blind Spot View Monitor, which is just like Honda's near-defunct LaneWatch. The Prestige Package on my test vehicle also had the head-up display, but I actually didn't realize this until nearly 20 minutes into my drive — it disappears completely if you're wearing polarized sunglasses, as I was. Big fail on this one, Kia.
Cars.com photos by Aaron Bragman
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and there are a couple of other neat touches in the multimedia system that are geared toward family life. First is the Driver Talk feature: Press a button on the 10.25-inch touchscreen (standard on the EX and SX trim; an 8-inch screen is standard on the LX and S trims) and the music mutes while activating a microphone that projects the driver's voice to the speakers in the back of the bus. There's also Quiet Mode, which mutes all but the front speakers and turns those down, as well, so as to quiet the audio system in the event the kids are asleep in the back. If you like it loud, a Harman Kardon 10-speaker premium audio system is standard on the SX trim, but I found it to be unimpressive and muddled at any volume level.
What does the Telluride not have that competitors do? There's no automatic parking function, either parallel or perpendicular (no Kia actually features this ability), and there is no rear entertainment system — an especially curious omission in a vehicle looking to be a popular family wagon. There are no rear screens, no seatback DVD system, nothing that drops from the ceiling, though the USB ports mentioned should support the tablet approach many parents now prefer. There's also no power third row — the seatbacks must be raised and lowered manually. (For the record, Hyundai's upcoming Palisade does have an optional power third row.)
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- 2020 Kia Telluride: Let Me Tell U About One Big Ride
All the Safety Equipment You'd Want
A high level of safety equipment has been included as standard on all Tellurides, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane keep assist, automatic lane-centering, blind spot detection with braking and steering intervention, rear cross-traffic alert and intervention, and safe exit assistance for the rear seats. The latter function uses the rear-facing radar to detect oncoming traffic and can prevent a rear door from opening if an approaching vehicle or bicycle is detected. I found the addition of most of these features welcome, but the lane-centering function is intrusive and the lane keep assist is, well, oversensitive. After the first few miles of feeling the wheel constantly shifting in my hands, I switched it off and never looked back. Still, that Kia includes this as standard equipment when many other automakers charge big bucks for it (looking at you, Chevrolet) is praiseworthy.
Cars.com photos by Aaron Bragman
The new Telluride is already in dealerships as you read this, and Kia says they're selling to customers as soon as they drive off the car carriers. The starting price for the Telluride is a reasonable $32,735 with destination fee. Loading one up to the max gets you an exceptionally well-done large family crossover packed to the gills with technology, safety equipment, convenience items and a big dose of rugged style for around $48,000. A comparable Chevrolet Traverse rings in at more than $54,000, while a new 2020 Explorer Limited starts at nearly 50 grand and goes up from there.
With its combination of comfort, cargo space, technology, safety, performance and value, the new 2020 Kia Telluride is going to be one tough competitor.
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