When you think of class leaders among family-hauling three-row mid-size SUVs, one name you definitely wouldn’t have thought of before now is Kia — and that includes 2009, when it tested the waters with the unloved Borrego. This changes for the 2020 model year with the introduction of the new Telluride, a formidable entrant to the fray — and a formidable entrant on our weekly list of most-popular reviews, taking the No. 1 spot in its debut.
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Cars.com reviewer Aaron Bragman got a first crack behind the wheel of the Telluride out west to confirm as much. Though he questions its positioning as a “mid-size” SUV, Bragman came away thoroughly impressed by what he found. Many on our staff have since driven the Telluride and agree.
“Size-classification quibbles aside, the new Telluride is an exceptionally well-done new family hauler,” he wrote. “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.
“With its combination of comfort, cargo space, technology, safety, performance and value,” Bragman concluded, “the new 2020 Kia Telluride is going to be one tough competitor.”
On the video front, our latest multicar comparison in the 2019 Compact SUV Challenge took top honors, but more of a mix came down the order with pickup trucks, sedans and hatchbacks all appearing alongside the expected SUVs. Most hearteningly for me, however, is that apparently many of you still want to learn how to drive a stick shift.
For more on that and everything else, check out the top five reviews and videos of the week below.
Top 5 Reviews
1. 2020 Kia Telluride Review: The New Big SUV Benchmark
2. 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Review: All-Around Greatness
3. 2019 Chevrolet Blazer Review: The On-Road Warrior
4. 2019 Toyota RAV4 Review: Delivers More, Costs More
5. 2019 Nissan Maxima Review: Neither Nor
Top 5 Videos
1. 2019 Compact SUV Challenge
2. How to Drive a Manual Transmission
3. 2018 Ford Raptor Hennessey VelociRaptor 6×6
4. Sibling Rivalry: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Vs. 2019 Golf GTI
5. 2020 Ford Explorer ST: First Impressions
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