2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD: Premium Offering, Mainstream Price

Summary

• Kia Motors’ success in the U.S. stems from years of investment and research, as well as attracting top talent from other brands.
• The 2024 Kia Telluride continues the brand’s value proposition of offering premium features at a mainstream price.
• Telluride stands out for its quality, style, performance, design and practicality.

Any organization interested in burnishing its image need only look to the success of Kia Motors in the United States. The marque’s first cars hit American roads in 1993 as 1994 models, with low cost and high value as their unique selling proposition. Largely looked down upon, the 1994 Kia Sephia and its Sportage sibling were rated nowhere near the top by automotive pundits.

Thirty years later, the 2024 Kia Telluride we’re reviewing here (as is true of many of the company’s other models) is considered among the best in its category. How’d they do it? A key aspect of Kia’s success has been years of massive investment and research. Well okay, that and hiring talented engineers and designers away from BMW and Audi.

In order to provide you with an honest and unbiased review, I drove the vehicle reviewed in this article on a daily basis throughout the course of daily life for a period of one week. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review
our methodology policy
.

2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD First Impressions

The result of that strategy is wholly evident in the company’s Telluride mid-size SUV. Handsome, well appointed and remarkably competent, the 2024 Kia Telluride does everything the average American family expects a crossover SUV to do—and does it well. A premium offering at a mainstream price, the Telluride hews closely to the value proposition that has been part and parcel of Kia’s marketing strategy since it started shipping cars to the U.S. back in the 1990s.

Telluride was treated to a significant makeover for the 2023 model year, so it came into ’24 with only minor cosmetic updates. These include the adoption of amber-colored daytime running lamps and the implementation of glossy black exterior trim for Telluride’s X-Line and X-Pro trim packages. Minor touches true, but they do enhance the Kia’s appearance.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Regardless of the trim level you select, you’ll get the marque’s 3.8-liter DOHC V-6. Tuned to produce 291 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 262 LB-FT of torque at 5,200, the engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. My SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD trimmed Telluride was also equipped with all-wheel drive. I saw seven-second runs to 60 with that powertrain.

Underway, the Telluride presented a firm, though not uncomfortable, quality of ride. The model I drove was also equipped with the company’s self-leveling rear suspension, which uses airbags. Directional stability was good on all but the roughest pavement. Throttle response could have been better, but keep in mind I’m a performance nut. That trait would likely go unnoticed by most people. Braking was solid and reassuring, while steering response was accurate, with just the right amount of weighting.

Offering a modicum of off-road capability, the Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line I drove provided 8.4 inches of ground clearance, which is more than enough for moderately challenging situations. I’d avoid trying to tackle Moab in the Kia, but Telluride X-Line models are more than capable of handling anything most “normal” people would ask them to do.

Performance Specifications

2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD Fuel Economy

In a mix of highway, city, street and back road driving, I averaged 21 miles per gallon, according to the Telluride’s trip computer. The EPA says you can expect to see 18 MPG in the city, 24 on the highway and 20 overall. Remember though, this was with the all-wheel drive powertrain. The numbers for the front-drive setup are 20 in the city, 26 on the highway and 22 overall.

Interior Design And Comfort

Standard among the features of the 2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD I reviewed are a dual-screen panoramic digital display, Nappa leather upholstery, as well as heat and ventilation for both the first and second row seats. The steering wheel was heated too. Looking around the interior, style and craftsmanship are wholly evident. Build quality is first-rate, with fit and finish rivaling that of far more costly product. The material choices are pleasing to the eye, while the layout of the controls and switchgear is reflective of considerable thought.

Telluride is capable of seating a maximum of eight people, unless you opt for the second row captain’s chairs with which my SX-Prestige Telluride was equipped. This is enhanced by the spacious and airy nature of the Kia, even for those who are relegated to the Kia’s third row of seats. Ingress and egress are easily accomplished for the first and second rows. Predictably, a degree of agility is required of those who would occupy the third row.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Among the features of my Telluride’s tech suite were the aforementioned dual digital displays, as well as a head up display capable of showing me the Kia’s blind spots to reveal the positioning of vehicles surrounding the Telluride. Navigation, satellite radio and a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system were also installed. Wireless smartphone charging, WiFi, CarPlay and Android compatibility were included too.

Kia’s “Driver Talk” feature uses the rear speakers to make it easier for the kids to hear you tell them to stop bothering each other. The digital rear-view mirror gives you a choice of camera or reflective viewing. Best of all, these features require no learning curve to employ, everything is simple and straightforward to use. In other words, you won’t spend hours thumbing the Telluride’s instruction manual to figure out how to pair your smartphone.

Cargo And Storage Space

The capaciousness to which I referred earlier applies to the Kia’s propensity for accommodating cargo too. Carry-on bags for four people will fit behind the third row. Fold the second and third rows away, you’ll fit carry-on bags for both the offense and defense of an American football team—with space left over.

The rear hatch is power-operated and can be programmed to stop at different heights. Third-row passengers get cupholders, as does every other occupant of the Kia. Generously proportioned door cubbies are supplied for first and second row occupants. Maximum towing capacity is 8,500 pounds.

2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD Vs. Its Competitors

Telluride is most directly compared to Toyota’s Grand Highlander and Mazda’s CX-90. In true Kia fashion, Telluride undercuts both of them price wise. The Kia’s starting price is $36,190, while the Toyota’s base price is $43,320 and the Mazda’s base price is $39,595. All three SUVs are similarly equipped, and all three enjoy solid reliability.

How Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD Compares To Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum

• 	2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum	2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD
  Trim	Platinum	SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD
  Model	Grand Highlander	Telluride
  Engine/Motor	2.4L Turbo I-4	3.8L V-6
  Horsepower	265 @ 6,000 RPM	291@ 6,000 RPM
  Torque	310 LB-FT @ 1,700 RPM	262 LB-FT @ 5,200 RPM
  Drivetrain	Front Engine / FWD, AWD	Front Engine / AWD
  Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
  MSRP	$53,795	$52,185
  0-60 MPH	7.0 Seconds	7.0 Seconds
  Towing Capacity	5,000 Pounds	5,000 Pounds

While there exists a Toyota Highlander, the model does not compare directly to the Telluride. That honor goes to the marque’s Grand Highlander, which is an all-new addition to Toyota showrooms for the 2024 model year. Grand Highlander’s basic feature set includes a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and power adjustable heated front seats.

To get closer to the feature set offered by the Kia SX-Prestige, you’d be looking at Grand Highlander Platinum, which requires an expenditure of at least $53,795, compared to $52,185 for the Kia. This would get you a 265-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged four, compared to the Kia’s 291 horsepower V6. On the other hand though, the Toyota’s engine does deliver more torque, 310 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm, which makes it quicker off the line than the Kia.

With all of that said, the Kia is a better-looking ride to my eye. I also like the way the Kia drives more than I do the Toyota. However, the Toyota nameplate is synonymous with reliability and longevity, where Kia is still building its rep in that regard. Bumper to bumper warranty coverage is three years or 36,000 miles bumper to bumper. The powertrain is covered for five years or 60,000 miles and Toyota will cover scheduled maintenance costs for the first two years or 25,000 miles.

How Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD Compares to Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo S

• 	2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD	2024 Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo S
  Trim	SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD	3.3 Turbo S
  Model	Telluride	CX-90
  Engine/Motor	3.8L V-6	3.3L Turbo I-6
  Horsepower	291@ 6,000 RPM	340 @ 6,000 RPM
  Torque	262 LB-FT @ 5,200 RPM	369 LB-FT @ 2,000 RPM
  Drivetrain	Front Engine / AWD	Front Engine / AWD
  Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
  MSRP	$52,185	$56,450
  0-60 MPH	7.0 Seconds	6.0 Seconds
  Towing Capacity	5,000 Pounds	5,000 Pounds

Anyone who’s read more than a few of my reviews will probably assume my favorite is the Mazda, because of the marque’s emphasis on driver enjoyment. And yeah, they would be right. However, the Mazda also does an excellent job of emulating more costly luxury SUVs. I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it here, Mazda could ask an additional $10,000 for the CX-90 and the model would still be a plausible consideration. So yeah, Mazda is horning in on Kia’s value proposition—big time.

The version of Mazda’s CX-90 that comes closest to the SX-Prestige is the 3.3 Turbo S Premium, which has a base price of $56,450. While that’s the tallest number here, it also gets you a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine that’s good for 340 horsepower and 369 LB-FT of torque. And yes, that engine configuration does sound remarkably similar to that of a certain Bavarian manufacturer. Frankly, that reference isn’t too far off the mark: After all, the CX-90, like the offerings of that German automaker, places the enthusiast driver’s desires front and center in the equation. The Mazda is the easy choice here if you like to drive.

What’s more, the CX-90’s’s styling is more extroverted and its interior treatment borders on the palatial. In fact, the Mazda’s passenger accommodations would look right at home applied to the offerings of certain British manufacturer, known for blending luxurious surroundings with sporting characteristics. On the practical side of the equation, Mazda provides bumper-to-bumper coverage for three years or 36,000 miles. The powertrain is warranted for five years or 60,000 miles.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

Anyone who’s read more than few of my reviews will probably assume my favorite is the Mazda, because of the marque’s emphasis on driver enjoyment. And yeah, they would be right. However, there is no wrong choice here. And no, I’m not equivocating; all three of these vehicles are outstanding in their own right. In my view, the choice will come down to whether you’re more interested in resale value, which the Toyota will provide; driving enjoyment, which the Mazda will provide; or splitting the difference, which the Kia will handily accomplish. The choice, as they say, is up to you.