Text by Tom Appel
2024 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Line V6 AWD
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover
Color: Wolf Gray
Seating Capacity: 7
Miles driven: 171
Real-world fuel economy: 21.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | B+ |
| Value | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 291-horsepower |
| Engine Type | 3.8-liter V6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 18/24/20 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular
Base price: $52,185 (not including $1365 destination charge),
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($495), floor mats ($225), cargo cover ($155), cargo mat ($115)
Price as tested: $54,540
Pros and Cons
The great: Premium experience for popular price, refined ride and handling
The good: Decent fuel economy, roomy cabin, ample power
The not so good: Some low-speed drivetrain clunking
Overview
Change is good. It’s largely understood that a break from routine can put some perspective on things—help clear the mind. But from where we sit, unnecessary change can also mean messing with a good thing.
For 2024, one good thing that hasn’t changed is the Kia Telluride. A perennial Consumer Guide Best Buy pick, the roomy and refined 3-row midsize crossover carries into 2024—and reportedly 2025—with little but tweaks to mark the passing time, and that’s just fine with us.
Mechanically similar to the Hyundai Palisade, Kia’s biggest crossover returns for 2024—as noted above—largely unchanged save for some equipment-availability tweaks and small price increases.
Kia sold just over 110,000 Tellurides in 2023, ranking it among the more-popular midsize crossovers. Note, too, the Telluride is joined in the segment by the brand’s Sorento crossover. Though smaller than the Telluride, the Sorento, too, can be had with 3rd-row seating.
Prices and Trim Levels
And while 110,000 is a lot of anything, it seems like a small number relative to the shocking number of Telluride trim levels offered for ’24. Here’s the complete list, from base LX to top-trim SX-Prestige X Pro:
LX (starting price: $37,585)
S ($39,485)
EX ($43,185)
SX ($47,385)
EX X-Line ($47,480)
SX X-Line ($50,880)
SX X-Pro ($51,880)
SX Prestige X-Line ($53,780)
SX Prestige X-Pro ($54,780)
All the above prices include destination charges. Add $2000 for AWD, except for X-Line and X-Pro models, which come with AWD standard. Also, all trim levels save for the EX come with second-row captains chairs and 7-passenger seating. The EX comes with a second-row bench seat, and 8-passenger seating.
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Engines
There’s just one engine/transmission combination for 2024: a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic. Good news: the big V6 runs just fine on regular-grade gasoline.
Note, too, the X-Line and X-Pro models come equipped with a slightly elevated ride height and off-road-oriented tires, making them the preferred pick for Snow Belt residents anticipating serious snowfall in the next few years. In addition, X-Pro models included additional engine/transmission cooling, raising towing capacity from 5000 pounds to 5500.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2024 SX Prestige X-Line in extra cost Wolf Gray. All told, our test car came to $54,540.
For 2024, the Kia Telluride—and it’s mechanical corporate cousin the Hyundai Palisade—continue to make a mockery of the traditional boundaries separating mainstream vehicles from luxury cars and crossovers—and nowhere is this more clear than inside the vehicles.
Cabin
Not only is the Telluride cabin roomy, it looks especially high-end, and would not feel inappropriate in a premium German-brand crossover. The Telluride Prestige interior is decked out with quilted seats, bright-trim accents, and soft-touch surfaces. Additionally, the switchgear all feels sturdy and finely crafted. You can argue that the Telluride cabin is a little too nicely finished, but tell that to customers enjoying what feels like an $80,000-car interior for just $50,000. The Telluride cabin literally defines values.
Instrumentation
Telluride employs a single-piece instrument panel/console touchscreen, which looks simple and elegant. Touchscreen icons are large and easy to read at a glance, and favorite/most-used icons can be relocated to wherever on the screen users prefer. Also of note: The Harman Kadon-brand premium audio system, standard on Prestige models, is quite good, and works well with the mid-century American jazz favored by this author.
Room and Comfort
There is plenty of front and 2nd-row adult space. The Prestige comes standard with second-row captains chairs, which are generously sized and long-trip comfortable. It’s not hard to reach the back row between the captain’s chairs, but they do track forward for easy, direct access. Headroom is excellent in the front two rows, but a little more limited all the way back. Big glass area is a boon to driver vision.
Ride and Handling
Underway, the Telluride maintains its premium-vehicle bearing. The cabin is quiet on the highway, and ride quality is excellent. And while no sports car, the big Kia handles quite well, with decent steering feel, and well controlled lean in corners.
Power and Performance
Telluride boasts plenty of power as well, with the big V6 serving up ample muscle from a stop, and better-than-average hustle for passing and on-ramp maneuvers. We did take note of an occasional driveline clunk, which occurred when turning right at low speed. The clunk was a relatively minor annoyance, but did compromises what is otherwise a refined drive experience.
Fuel Economy
Not disappointing was our fuel economy. Over 170 miles of mostly city driving, we averaged almost 22 mpg. And, as noted above, Telluride runs fine on a diet of regular-grade gasoline.
Review
While we thoroughly appreciate the features and premium feel of our test SX Prestige X-Line model, shoppers with a keen eye for value will likely appreciate the Telluride at one of its many lower price points. That said, we see the value here as well, as this big Kia does a fine job of passing for a luxury vehicle at a very accessible price point.
As se suggested above, test drive both the Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade. You will find the vehicles very similar, though they are tuned and finished differently. Styling, too, is very different, and might matter enough to you to sway your final purchase decision. It would be hard for us to recommend the Telluride more highly; it’s well put together, refined underway, and at every price point a solid value. And yeah, the changes for 2024 are small, but honestly, there isn’t much about the Telluride we’d change.
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2024 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Line Pictures
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