“The Koreans have become masters
at studying what everyone else does
right, picking the best practices, and
implementing them,” Detroit editor Alisa
Priddle added during the debate before
the final vote.
MotorTrend en Español managing
editor Miguel Cortina summed up the
Kia this way: “The Telluride really nails
the criteria.”
Let’s take a closer look at how.ADVANCEMENT IN DESIGN
The Telluride is the largest SUV yet
from Kia, measuring 2.8 inches longer
overall than its Borrego predecessor. But
it wears its size well thanks to confident
and sophisticated exterior styling.
The large grille makes a statement
without being overbearing, and the
headlights have been pulled back from
the corners to visually reduce the front
overhang. “The imposing stance and
good proportions impressively disguise
the dash-to-axle ratio inherent to the
front-wheel-drive architecture,” guest
judge and former head of Cadillac Johan
de Nysschen said.
On the bodyside, simple surfaces tell
their own story instead of becoming
a stage for entertainment riven with
random cuts and lines. The greenhouse is
subtly sporty, amplifying the slight rake
to the D-pillar without compromising
practicality. The rear graphic, bracketed
by commalike taillights, is strong and
distinctive. Even the base LX model getswhat makes the Telluride our 2020 SUV
of the Year.
Our exhaustive judging process, in
which each contender is evaluated in the
context of our six key criteria, means the
winning vehicle must be a well-rounded
product, regardless of its functional focus.
So although its price makes the
headlines, what helped the Kia Telluride
garner seven first-place votes from our 11
judges is that it’s anything but bargain-
basement in the way it looks, drives,
and effortlessly copes with the modern
American family’s needs.
“Pleasing overall design, with nicely
executed linework and surfacing,” guest
judge and former Chrysler design chief
Tom Gale said.
“One of the very few three-row
crossovers that I actually like driving,”
features editor Christian Seabaugh said
after he pushed the Telluride around our
SUVOTY proving ground’s challenging
winding road.
jewelry such as the contrasting silver
panels at the lower edges of the front and
rear fascias and the brightwork around the
greenhouse and at the base of the doors.
The Telluride looks substantial but is
also friendly and approachable. There are
some playful Easter eggs in the detailing,
such as the castellation in the brightwork
at the B-pillar, a nod to similar detailing in
the Kia grille and on the upper edge of the
windshield, and the indent at the lower
front corner of the front doors.
The interior is just as confident and as
sophisticated as the exterior. Again, even
the base LX trim’s interior looks well
equipped and well finished. As for the
range-topping SX: “I keep looking around
the cabin and reminding myself this SUV
costs only 47 grand,” executive editor
Mark Rechtin said after he climbed into
our tester’s Dune Brown Nappa leather-
trimmed interior. “It feels like a rustic-
modernist house of a millionaire rancher.”
The interior is also practical and usable.
Although the third row is for teenagers,JANUARY 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 39Winner I SUV OF THE YEAR