40 MOTORTREND.COM MAY 2020
THE BIG TEST I 3-Row SUVs
LAYOUT, KIA TELLURIDE
67.2”68.^9
”78.3”67.6” 114.2”
196.9”complete and utter lack of steering feel.”
Despite the harsh comments on the
powertrain, we applauded the Highland-
er’s suspension, which delivered a smooth
ride even through the tumbling, slow-
motion landslide of Portuguese Bend.
The Subaru Ascent delivers lots of
low-end torque, and its chassis tuning
stood out during our road test. With a
2.4-liter turbo-four engine, the Ascent
delivers 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque,
and it’s the only three-row SUV in this
group that carries a CVT. But that’s not
necessarily a bad thing; the transmission
and the engine work very well together,
delivering power to the wheels with little
lag. And just like we’ve experienced with
the newest Subarus, ride and handling are
some of the Ascent’s best traits. Walton
complimented its sporty-for-the-segment
ride, and Yekikian noted its composure
and stability at high speeds. Although the
Ascent won’t raise your eyebrows for how
quick it is, Rechtin said its acceleration felt
quicker than what its 0–60 time indicated.
If speed is your priority, the Volkswagen
Atlas is not for you. It took 7.8 seconds to
get to 60 mph—1.6 seconds behind the
Pilot. Its 3.6-liter V-6 produces 276 hp and
266 lb-ft of torque, but it doesn’t get along
with its jerky eight-speed gearbox. Then
there’s its ride—Yekikian felt carsick after
he finished the 50-minute loop and beggednot to drive the Atlas home that night.
Rechtin noted more head toss than in
other SUVs, and every judge commented
on the lack of steering feel. “The lack of
engineering excellence, quality, attention
to detail, and design—all hallmarks of
global VW products like the Golf—are
truly galling in the American Atlas,”
Seabaugh said.
With its 2.3-liter turbo-four engine
coupled to a 10-speed automatic, the
Ford Explorer makes 300 hp and 310 lb-ft
of torque. Ford offered us an ExplorerPositioning the
USB ports on the
Kia’s seat backs
allows second-
row passengers
to sit in a normal
position when
their phones are
charging.2020 Kia Telluride
HEADROOM, F/M/R 39.5/38.8/37.8 in
LEGROOM, F/M/R 44.1/42.4/31.4 in
SHOULDER ROOM, F/M/R 61.6/59.9/55.3 in
CARGO VOLUME BEHIND
F/M/R
87.0/46.0/21.0 cu ftCURB WEIGHT; DIST, F/R 4,510 lb; 55/45%
GROUND CLEARANCE 8.0 in
APPROACH/DEPART ANGLE 17.0/20.9 deg
TURNING CIRCLE 38.8 ft
TOWING CAPACITY 5,000 lb