Driven: 2023 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line
2023 | car reviews | kia | kia telluride | suvs
Since its 2020 debut, the Kia Telluride has become one of the Korean automaker’s best-selling vehicles. The 2023 Telluride has seen some design changes, along with new packages. The X-Line and X-Pro give the three-row SUV added off-road capabilities while going upmarket in a swanky SX-Prestige trim. Read on to learn why it’s one of the best SUVs you can buy.
We've always loved the upright but curvy look of the Telluride, and it still looks fantastic. Our test vehicle rolled on sleek 20" black alloy wheels with black X-Line trim elements. The X-Line and X-Pro ride 0.4" higher than other Tellurides, providing 8.4" of ground clearance. It's not noticeable to the naked eye, but every little bit of height helps if you plan on driving on rough terrain. These models also sport a more substantial roof rack, standard all-wheel drive, and a tow mode. While we didn't test the X-Pro, that model gets 18" wheels, all-terrain tires, a 110-volt outlet in the cargo area, and an increased towing capacity of 5500 pounds versus the standard 5000.
Perhaps the most notable change in the 2023 Telluride compared to its first three years is in front. Gone is the wide TELLURIDE logo and the grille has a new mesh pattern and less stretched look, complemented by Kia's recently redesigned logo. The new LED headlights are more streamlined, with dual vertical LED running lights on each side. The updated LED fog lights are smaller and better integrated into the bumper area than before. Nothing has changed under the hood, though, retaining the 3.8-liter direct-injection V6 that outputs 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft. of torque.
Around the back, the 2023 model is essentially unchanged. Other than the new Kia logo and downplayed Telluride badge, the only notable change is the flatter appearance of the bumper and vertical backup and parking lights at the bottom.
Like the previous Tellurides we've driven, this one offered a smooth, well-cushioned ride in a quiet, vibration-free cabin. The overall ride quality is geared towards everyday comfort, and the engine and 8-speed automatic transmission work well together to provide ample acceleration. Thanks to its independent suspension and torque vectoring features, the Telluride drives more like a car than a big SUV. Fuel economy isn't great, but it's a little better than you'd expect from a 3-row SUV - 18 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highway, and 21 MPG combined.
The Highway Drive Assist feature helps reduce fatigue, taking over acceleration, braking, and easing steering effort for long drives. It's not a hands-free system, but it does an excellent job of keeping the vehicle centered in the lane. Another really nice safety feature is the blind spot camera system, which displays whatever is in your blind spot on the instrument panel when your turn signal is on. There's also a wide-angle digital rearview mirror and a head-up display.
The SX-Prestige trim is as fancy as Kias get and right up there with some of the high-end luxury vehicles we've driven. The seats are wrapped in buttery-smooth Nappa leather with a quilted texture, along with heat and ventilation. The driver's seat offers 10-way adjustability, 4-way power lumbar support, and a thigh extension, which is great for those with longer legs.
A synthetic suede headliner adds to the premium feel, as do the woodgrain accent pieces on the dash and door panels. They're not made from real wood, but the textured matte finish doesn't look cheap, either. This tricked-out model also has stainless steel pedals and door sill plates, plus 64-color LED mood lighting.
The instrument panel and center touchscreen each have 12.3" widescreen displays with crisp, high-resolution graphics. A surround-view camera system makes maneuvering the 196" long SUV much more manageable in tight spaces. Like other vehicles in the Kia/Hyundai/Genesis family, the multimedia system is fast and intuitive and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They're both wired only, which is disappointing because there's a wireless phone charging dock. The dual-zone climate controls work very well and have a small but meaningful feature we haven't seen in other brands - the ability to adjust fan intensity when in Automatic temperature mode.
While some Tellurides can be equipped with a second-row bench seat, the SX Prestige comes standard with captain's chairs. These leather seats are every bit as comfortable as the front row and provide both heat and ventilation - a rarity outside high-end luxury SUVs. There's a thoughtfully-placed cupholder on the back of the center console and USB-C ports built into both front seatbacks. You'll also find independent rear climate controls built into the ceiling between the dual sunroofs.
The third-row seats are another story - legroom isn't too tight, but the wheel arches intrude significantly into the width of this row, so you'd have a hard time with more than two people back here. On the plus side, it's relatively easy to get back here if you can fit, thanks to the electric tilt-and-slide feature on the second-row seats. Third-row kids will find cupholders to keep juice boxes from spilling and USB-C charging ports to keep their gadgets juiced up.
Thanks to the tall ceilings in the Telluride, there's plenty of room for carrying things. You'll find an impressive 87 cubic feet of cargo space with both back rows folded. Drive with four passengers, and you'll still get 46 cubic feet, plenty for everyone's luggage. And with all three rows in use, there are 21 cubic feet back there, enough for several roller bags and backpacks. Should you load up the rear with lots of weight, a self-leveling rear suspension helps with ride quality and stability.
Neck-and-neck with its brother from another mother, the Hyundai Palisade, the Kia Telluride remains our favorite 3-row SUV. It looks great inside and out, offers smooth and confident handling, and plentiful tech and safety features. Its layout is versatile and can comfortably handle a family of six, along with all of the daily activities you'd expect it to. Add to that a luxury trim like the SX Prestige and the sporty-yet-capable aesthetics of the X-Line package, and Kia has another winner on their hands. The base price for the 2023 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line is $51,785. The vehicle reviewed here stickered at $54,120 after options and freight and handling fees.
