2020 Kia Telluride Review Legroom Champion?
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
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The Telluride overall exceeds(technology/comfort/luxury/space efficiency/cargo/warranty/value for what you pay) in most areas against its competitors and in the few areas where it may not stand out so much it at least equals(5, 000lbs towing with adjustable air suspension[actually exceeds with this feature, but is on par with its competitors and beats out the CX9 which only tows 3500lbs], acceleration is on par) its competitors with above average handling. Overall the Telluride is a very, very compelling product that wins in many categories against its competitors(while doing so for a reasonable price. When I think about this market segment, usually the Toyota Highlander comes to mind as the standard, against the Highlander, the Telluride has more features, more cargo space, more technology+luxury, better handling, and really nothing less(equal in towing[though the Telluride has adjustable ride height], pretty darn close in acceleration and mpg. ok maybe there is perceived reliability, but time will tell. If I could nitpick, I wish they would release a N/performance version with a super/turbo-charged option or maybe even a V8 option. get the 0-60 times in the 5s and while theyre at it, why not one up everyone in the towing capacity area too if theyre gonna add more hp/torque. This would truly make the Telluride the one vehicle youd ever need(get around town comfortably, tow, haul your family, etc. They did an awesome job, and Im impressed overall.
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The Telluride overall exceeds(technology/comfort/luxury/space efficiency/cargo/warranty/value for what you pay) in most areas against its competitors and in the few areas where it may not stand out so much it at least equals(5, 000lbs towing with adjustable air suspension[actually exceeds with this feature, but is on par with its competitors and beats out the CX9 which only tows 3500lbs], acceleration is on par) its competitors with above average handling. Overall the Telluride is a very, very compelling product that wins in many categories against its competitors(while doing so for a reasonable price. When I think about this market segment, usually the Toyota Highlander comes to mind as the standard, against the Highlander, the Telluride has more features, more cargo space, more technology+luxury, better handling, and really nothing less(equal in towing[though the Telluride has adjustable ride height], pretty darn close in acceleration and mpg. ok maybe there is perceived reliability, but time will tell. If I could nitpick, I wish they would release a N/performance version with a super/turbo-charged option or maybe even a V8 option. get the 0-60 times in the 5s and while theyre at it, why not one up everyone in the towing capacity area too if theyre gonna add more hp/torque. This would truly make the Telluride the one vehicle youd ever need(get around town comfortably, tow, haul your family, etc. They did an awesome job, and Im impressed overall.
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kevin q
I have owned a Mercedes E class and now a Hyundai Genesis and there are lots of little things Kia and Hyundai miss. A lot of is years of good engineering have gone in the Mercedes. My Genesis or G80 has a very bumpy ride as they were trying to achieve a sport ride. It did not work out that way. Lots of things are very Korean in the car. Small cup holders, you can tell they cut corners where possible in the way the cars feels and performs. You dont really notice it on the test drive. For this reason, the vehicle has problem with the windows fog up in winter a lot and it keeps from driving until I can get it cleared by having to use a towel to clean the fog off the windows. Mercedes are a little over-engineered when it comes to the brakes. The ride quality is 100% better in the Benz. Only things you find after you own each car not something that stands out on test drive.
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I have owned a Mercedes E class and now a Hyundai Genesis and there are lots of little things Kia and Hyundai miss. A lot of is years of good engineering have gone in the Mercedes. My Genesis or G80 has a very bumpy ride as they were trying to achieve a sport ride. It did not work out that way. Lots of things are very Korean in the car. Small cup holders, you can tell they cut corners where possible in the way the cars feels and performs. You dont really notice it on the test drive. For this reason, the vehicle has problem with the windows fog up in winter a lot and it keeps from driving until I can get it cleared by having to use a towel to clean the fog off the windows. Mercedes are a little over-engineered when it comes to the brakes. The ride quality is 100% better in the Benz. Only things you find after you own each car not something that stands out on test drive.
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Dean May
The Telluride is impressive. We bought a 2009 Kia Borrego Limited V8 in 2015 to tow a small Casita travel trailer. We love the mighty Borg with its 337 hp and 325 lb ft of torque. Tow mileage is 13 mpg +/- 1 mpg. It rides a little rough, but it is exactly what we needed to tow our Casita. Our Borrego is rated to tow 7, 500 lbs (50% more than the Telluride. Given the depreciation of the Kias, we picked up the Borrego for less than 12K (it was 38K new. At some point, we will need another tow vehicle for the Casita. It is light enough that a 5, 000 lb tow rating is just fine. We will definitely consider the Telluride along with the Subaru Ascent, Honda Pilot, etc. or a mid-sized pick up like the Ford Ranger, Toyota Taco, Jeep Gladiator, Honda Ridgeline. Lots of choices, but the Telluride would be on our short list
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The Telluride is impressive. We bought a 2009 Kia Borrego Limited V8 in 2015 to tow a small Casita travel trailer. We love the mighty Borg with its 337 hp and 325 lb ft of torque. Tow mileage is 13 mpg +/- 1 mpg. It rides a little rough, but it is exactly what we needed to tow our Casita. Our Borrego is rated to tow 7, 500 lbs (50% more than the Telluride. Given the depreciation of the Kias, we picked up the Borrego for less than 12K (it was 38K new. At some point, we will need another tow vehicle for the Casita. It is light enough that a 5, 000 lb tow rating is just fine. We will definitely consider the Telluride along with the Subaru Ascent, Honda Pilot, etc. or a mid-sized pick up like the Ford Ranger, Toyota Taco, Jeep Gladiator, Honda Ridgeline. Lots of choices, but the Telluride would be on our short list
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wind7sailor
I cant wait to see you complete test the Telluride and in the future, the Palisade, when you can use you regular test area. Your reviews are among the best on Youtube. The consistency with which you test the vehicles in the same way; with measurables: acceleration, braking, cabin noise and fuel economy and same road surface handling and ride appraisals; these are more complete assessments than the others that just drive the cars. You are very professional and consistent with your assessments of how the car is driving and how it honestly compares with its competitors. We are looking to buy in 2020 and your reviews are the first place we look.
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I cant wait to see you complete test the Telluride and in the future, the Palisade, when you can use you regular test area. Your reviews are among the best on Youtube. The consistency with which you test the vehicles in the same way; with measurables: acceleration, braking, cabin noise and fuel economy and same road surface handling and ride appraisals; these are more complete assessments than the others that just drive the cars. You are very professional and consistent with your assessments of how the car is driving and how it honestly compares with its competitors. We are looking to buy in 2020 and your reviews are the first place we look.
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Zachary Thomas
I think I saw a button on the 3rd row that would let the seats slide and fold similarly to how they do in the honda pilot or Acura mdx. Also I agree with most other comments. Kia really did a great job and has come a far way. A friend of mine owns the new sedona and when I was driving it I could not get over how nice it was. I think if and when I get this I will be getting the EX trim. Comparing it to the SX I dont feel the price jump is worth it. Only thing the sx has that I want is the head lights, fog lights and the bigger screen in the instrument cluster. And Im sure after a while I could get the lights online for a reasonable price.
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I think I saw a button on the 3rd row that would let the seats slide and fold similarly to how they do in the honda pilot or Acura mdx. Also I agree with most other comments. Kia really did a great job and has come a far way. A friend of mine owns the new sedona and when I was driving it I could not get over how nice it was. I think if and when I get this I will be getting the EX trim. Comparing it to the SX I dont feel the price jump is worth it. Only thing the sx has that I want is the head lights, fog lights and the bigger screen in the instrument cluster. And Im sure after a while I could get the lights online for a reasonable price.
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Keenan Cumberland
Your reviews are always very comprehensive you talk about things that are important to drivers and families when it comes to these types of vehicles. Im very thankful that you do what you do its funny because I was actually considering the Mazda CX-9 like I was going to buy it. Now I seriously have to look at the Telluride basically off of everything that youve given me it already wins in the warranty department because Kia has the strongest warranty in the industry so definitely will be looking at this as a possible I just need to look at the exterior colors thank you very much.
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Your reviews are always very comprehensive you talk about things that are important to drivers and families when it comes to these types of vehicles. Im very thankful that you do what you do its funny because I was actually considering the Mazda CX-9 like I was going to buy it. Now I seriously have to look at the Telluride basically off of everything that youve given me it already wins in the warranty department because Kia has the strongest warranty in the industry so definitely will be looking at this as a possible I just need to look at the exterior colors thank you very much.
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Mike Veselka
After everything I have seen in this and what I have seen in real life I would get the Traverse. With captain chairs. If you look at the leg room, were talking fractions of an inch. I like that there is more room behind the 3rd row. I like the interior design more also. Also the ease of access in the because of the bigger rear doors. The adjustable rear hatch. Especially for my shorter wife. Traverse also has more power with the same fuel economy. I have not measured but the Traverse seems to sit a bit higher.
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After everything I have seen in this and what I have seen in real life I would get the Traverse. With captain chairs. If you look at the leg room, were talking fractions of an inch. I like that there is more room behind the 3rd row. I like the interior design more also. Also the ease of access in the because of the bigger rear doors. The adjustable rear hatch. Especially for my shorter wife. Traverse also has more power with the same fuel economy. I have not measured but the Traverse seems to sit a bit higher.
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wind7sailor
Way to go Kia, for putting its full safety suite on all levels of Telluride. In the past I liked when Toyota supposedly did it with the Highlander in 2017 and Honda the next year with the Pilot; but each withheld out their most desirable safety features for their more expensive model trims. The Telluride may be too big for my wife, but Im at least going to give it a look and see how it drives. Love the interior, the legroom and its reasonable price. We will also give the Palisade a good look too.
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Way to go Kia, for putting its full safety suite on all levels of Telluride. In the past I liked when Toyota supposedly did it with the Highlander in 2017 and Honda the next year with the Pilot; but each withheld out their most desirable safety features for their more expensive model trims. The Telluride may be too big for my wife, but Im at least going to give it a look and see how it drives. Love the interior, the legroom and its reasonable price. We will also give the Palisade a good look too.
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D. RII
very good review as usual from Alex, however, i am not understanding why you all (Alex and his consortium of reviewers) are avoiding the most obvious comparison of the Teluride which is the current gen Explorer. Even though its getting older with the all new Explorer coming out next year, its clearly still the benchmark in the 3 row CUV segment. going off sales alone all the other manufacturers would admit that, yet the Explorer is only mentioned in passing.
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very good review as usual from Alex, however, i am not understanding why you all (Alex and his consortium of reviewers) are avoiding the most obvious comparison of the Teluride which is the current gen Explorer. Even though its getting older with the all new Explorer coming out next year, its clearly still the benchmark in the 3 row CUV segment. going off sales alone all the other manufacturers would admit that, yet the Explorer is only mentioned in passing.
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Aurora Nite
Would get the SX you reviewed. Curious what warranty is and if better than competitors. Tight back seats not an issue, just two people using and want the cargo space. Like the styling. Plan to take a test drive. Have been considering the Traverse but length over this for parking a concern. Will have to try both. Alex you have taught me so much about vehicles. Im comfortable and confident to join the conversations on models and performance. Thanks.
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Would get the SX you reviewed. Curious what warranty is and if better than competitors. Tight back seats not an issue, just two people using and want the cargo space. Like the styling. Plan to take a test drive. Have been considering the Traverse but length over this for parking a concern. Will have to try both. Alex you have taught me so much about vehicles. Im comfortable and confident to join the conversations on models and performance. Thanks.
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