between the LX trim and the other models
is its less glitzy, gray-colored grille and
body-colored trim accents.
On the inside, the LX isn’t available with
second-row captain’s chairs, though I
don’t consider that much of a downgrade.
I think a 60/40 split-folding second-row
bench seat is much more useful. You also
don’t get leather, but the black Sofino
leatherette feels good enough, and the
seats are decently comfortable.
The LX is available with all-wheel drive,
a $2,000 option. We didn’t spec ours
with AWD, and I wish we would have. The
3.8-liter V-6 makes 291 hp—a lot of power
going to just the front wheels.
Telluride S When the time came to
spec our long-term Telluride, we opted for
the S, which gets some visual add-ons.
Machine-finished 20-inch alloy wheels
replace the LX’s 18-inchers, and you get
a dark metallic grille and satin-finished
front air ducts, among other things.I
f you’re in the market for a three-row
SUV, the Kia Telluride should be on your
list. From being named our SUV of the
Year to several comparison tests, it has
thus far reigned victorious.
What makes the Telluride such a
powerhouse? Everything. When you’re
doing battle in one of the most contested
segments, you can’t be a one-trick pony.
From its exterior styling to its interior fit and
finish to its driving dynamics, the Telluride
has positioned itself as a leader.
Once you’ve made the decision to buy a
telluride, the next question is, which one?
Telluride LX Many of the Telluride’s
excellent features are present in the base
model, including Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto. All the safety features, like
rear blind-spot collision avoidance assist,
driver attention warning, and other assist
features, are present, as well.
The LX sits on painted 18-inch wheels.
One of the more noticeable differences
Inside, the S trim gets upgraded seats,
including a 10-way-adjustable driver’s
seat with adjustable lumbar support. The S
comes standard with second-row captain’s
chairs, though we opted for a second-row
bench instead. I don’t have kids, but my
dog doesn’t like captain’s chairs.
Telluride EX This is where the Telluride
starts to get nice. The $3,000 premium
over the S trim is mainly visible once
you look inside, where actual leather
replaces the leatherette. Color options
depend on your exterior color choice. A
larger touchscreen sits prominently on
the EX’s dash, and there’s also a nice-
looking woodgrain finish on the dash
and door trims.
The EX model gets dual climate
control. Other notable features include
integrated shades for the back windows,
sound-absorbing front window glass,
and a smart power liftgate. It loses the
20-inch rims available on the S trim and
instead rolls atop 18-inch alloy wheels,
albeit more premium-looking ones. The
EX does maintain the S trim’s dark metallic
front grille, but it reverts to the chrome
window surround found on the base LX.
Telluride SX The fully loaded SX model
is the sweet spot of the lineup. For most
vehicles, the sweet spot is in the middle of
the lineup, but in the Telluride’s case, the
top trim is worth the extra scratch.
The SX adds upgraded 12-way heated
and cooled front seats with a memory
feature and a premium 10-speaker
Harman Kardon audio system, including an
external amplifier and subwoofer. You also
get stainless steel door sill scuff protectors,
stainless pedals, and dual sunroofs.
On the outside, the SX model gets
attractive black 20-inch wheels, LED
foglights and LED projector-beam
headlights, with a different style than what
are available on the lower trim models. You
also get the option of the Black Copper
exterior color, which looks awesome with
the black wheels.
Our Long-Term Telluride S What does all
of this mean for our Telluride? Sure, I wish
we had the improved seats, sound system,
and other premium interior features of the
EX and SX trims. Still, I think our S trim looks
great with the 20-inch wheels and the
other S-exclusive exterior tweaks.“What’s the difference between the
four Telluride trim levels? You should go
for the SX-iest one!” William WalkerService life:
2 mo/3,6 0 1 miles • Avg Fuel Econ: 20. 0 mpgAvg CO2 0.97 lb/mi Energy cons 169 kW-hr/100 mi Unresolved problems None
Maintenance cost $0 Normal-wear cost $0 Base price $35,085
As-tested $36,015 EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 20/26/23 mpg
2020 Kia Telluride
MT GARAGE
78 MOTORTREND.COM JUNE 2020
The Telluride S
doesn’t have the
fancy screen or
woodgrain trim,
but the interior is
still stylish.I wish our
Telluride came
with heated and
ventilated seats.
Nonetheless,
the seats are
comfortable.