2022 Kia Telluride Review

Car and Driver calls the 2022 Telluride “simply the gold standard of its segment”. Currently on the 10Best List, the SUV has been praised as "comprehensively excellent". Commenting on the SUV’s rich-looking interior and rugged exterior, Car and Driver has written that this Kia looks good enough to be found in a Land Rover showroom.

The 2020 Kia Telluride earned the coveted Motor Trend SUV of the Year. The 2022 model is also well-reviewed by Motor Trend. According to the magazine, the Kia Telluride regularly appears among the magazine’s most researched models.

As for pricing, the editors write that this ride has “so much bang for the buck”. They call it a smart buy and praise the fact that Kia makes premium vehicles attainable for more people.

Kelley Blue Book calls it “indisputably a top choice”, noting that it is well-mannered, well-equipped, and affordable. For the third year in a row, it earned the 2022 KBB Best Buy among 3-Row Midsize SUVs.

At US News and World Report, it currently ranks as the best midsize SUV. The large SUV earned two awards, the 2022 Best 3-Row for the Money and 2022 Best 3-Row for Families.

The interior is the most important aspect of any SUV to most members of a family. In this case, Edmunds calls it “quiet and upscale”. Car and Driver writes about its “unexpected luxuriousness”. The SUV made the Autotrader Best Interiors List and the Ward’s 10 Best Interior List.

When it won the Motor Trend SUV of the Year Award, the judges praised it for superb fit and finish, excellent materials, and a wonderful color mixture. US News and World Report writes approvingly that the 2022 Telluride is sleek and modern.

With 155 cubic feet of passenger space, the LX seats 8. Other models add even more room as they replace the center bench with captain’s chairs. Rear seats are stadium style, rising just a bit above the row in front of them.

Access to the third row is easy, and spaciousness is assured by good headroom throughout. The second row has 42 inches of legroom, easily competing with rivals such as the Honda Pilot.

The 2022 Telluride is notable for adding Driver Talk to its list of standards. This feature acts like a personal announcement system, allowing parents to speak to children on the back row via a microphone.

Another new standard, Quiet Mode will turn off the rear speakers and keep the music up front. The rear occupant alert can warn caregivers to check for sleeping kids in the car, and an app can text owners if it detects movement.

New for 2022, standard dual automatic climate controls keep the cabin cooler in the Kia Telluride for sale. The UVO24 telematics system allows drivers to start the car early and cool the cabin before departure. Diffused-air ceiling vents help ensure better air flow.

Parents will appreciate available features such as the second-row sunshades and second-row ventilated captain’s chairs. Unlike many 3-row SUVs, there are full LATCH attachments on both rows for a total of 3. There are also middle-seat tether anchors for both rows of rear seats.

Kelley Blue Book labels the 2022 LX as “classy mainstream”. The interior gains a large 10.25-inch touchscreen, a sizable increase over the 8-inch 2021 screen. Adding to its premium feeling, SynTex leatherette covers the seats. The Telluride suggested retail price MSRP is still just under $35,000.

The Telluride Kia S is a value edition with roof rails and a sunroof added to the exterior. It has standard second-row captain’s chairs and 2nd-row LED lighting. The driver will like having a power-adjustable chair. With Kia Telluride incentives, the S price is especially appealing even to those on a budget.

EX models are a favorite in Phoenix. That’s due to the front ventilated seats. It’s also due to the leather upholstery, hands-free power liftgate, power-adjustable passenger chair, and additional amenities. The Nightfall Edition dresses the exterior in more black or dark details.

Car and Driver notes the incredible value and price of the SX trims, which have a dual-pane sunroof and 64-color ambient lighting. Also recommended by C&D editors, the Telluride SX Prestige package adds the comfort of second-row ventilated seats and the luxury of Nappa leather.

Performance and Handling

With a 3.8-liter V6 under the hood, the Telluride Kia engine is ready to own the road. Maximum output is 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.

Good maneuverability is a pleasant surprise that many drivers don’t expect from this large SUV. The well-weighted steering has been praised by Car and Driver as precise with a nice heft. Drivers will appreciate that the SUV remains well-planted even in corners and curves.

With all-wheel drive, torque can be split evenly between the front and rear axles. Road conditions will dictate its response unless the driver chooses the AWD lock.

Utility, Capability, and Off-roading

At the front of the class for behind-third-row cargo space, the cargo hold measures 21 cubic feet. The seats fold to increase the area to 46 and then 87 cubic feet. Like any good large SUV, the Telluride offers a hands-free power liftgate for easy entry.

Regardless of drivetrain, the Telluride can pull up to 5,000 pounds. It does require proper towing equipment. The Telluride Kia EX offers a self-leveling rear suspension as part of its tow hitch package.

Every model wears several skid plates, just in case you stray off the beaten path. Standard ground clearance is 8 inches, allowing it to handle challenges better. For off-roading, all-wheel drive is recommended thanks to its AWD lock and downhill brake control.

Technology

The large 10.25 screen can split to show navigation and other functions. For use with your smartphone apps, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are on every edition.

In fact, the navigation system is connected to the semi-autonomous cruise control. When adaptive cruise control is engaged, the vehicle is informed about upcoming challenges and can adjust more precisely to the road’s angle or pitch.

Higher trims add a wireless charger and more USB ports. The Harman Kardon premium system has 10 speakers to surround the cabin. The SX head-up display puts turn-by-turn directions and other important information on the windshield for fast reference by busy drivers.

Safety and Driver Assistance

This is one Kia SUV that intends to keep occupants away from collision scenarios whenever possible. The advanced blind spot monitor can go beyond a warning. It has a collision avoidance assist, joining the lane departure system as active features. When necessary, automatic emergency braking responds to a pedestrian or stopping car ahead.

Taking the Telluride into a semi-autonomous mode, Highway Driving Assist does more than adaptive cruise control. It coordinates with lane keeping and the navigation system as it handles more driving tasks.

Now standard, Highway Driving Assist combines cruise control features, lane keeping, and more to handle more of the driving on interstates. From the rearview camera to parking sensors and a rear traffic alert, the Telluride is ready to help you park. A 360-view comes with the available SurroundView monitor.

See how this three-row SUV will fit your family. Take a test drive soon.