The 2024 Kia Telluride Isn't Quite Top Dog Anymore, But That's OK

Kia's Telluride sent shockwaves through the industry. Not just because it looked good and was right-sized, right-priced, and timed extremely well, but because people were willing to pay up to $10,000 over sticker just to get their hands on one. For several years the average markup on a Telluride was nearly $5,000. Seriously, $5K. Why? Because the Telluride is big inside, solid looking, easy to live with and came with a ton of features you might not have expected in a "family hauler."

Kia's popular people mover has now been on sale for four years, and what a time it has been. We have a new Pilot, new Pathfinder, the Grandest Highlander ever, and soon new GM SUVs that take "big and boxy" and run with it. You wouldn't be crazy if you suspected Telluride's success had a hand in Grand Highlander, Traverse, and Acadia development and that's good because everyone wins.

[lynnpeckham]

We traded our Kia 2020 for a Kia 2024, and we got our money back towards the new model. Was able to buy it out right. This one has so much more that we're still trying to figure out all the new features. Love this vehicle!!

[JakeDrives]

I loved this glowing review of the Telluride. It’s much deserved. I owned many Hyundai/Kias back in the late 00s early 2010s and always liked them. Fast forward to 2020 I was obsessed with the Telluride from launch. I test drove one and I was astonished by what Kia has done. My mom bought a 2024 and I drove it around for a week this past fall and all of my feelings about the Telluride were confirmed. A home run for Kia. I recommend it to everyone. I hope they continue to polish it and change things as the years go on. Your review was one of the most accurate I’ve seen. I find it ironic how some journalists will lambast the product they just gave a glowing review two years prior. None of the competition thrills me like the Telluride. Pilot is the only one that has any of my attention. Another great review. Thanks, Alex!

[ALMXDP]

I think a lot of the popularity of the front amber DRLs came from the design just as much as the color. The way it was a headlight surround, I think gave it character. This new design is quite a bit more generic.

[jbountalas]

Toyotas as you said, offer great functionality, fuel economy, and utility. However, if I'm going to spend this kind of money, I want creature comforts, I want myself and my passengers to be as comfortable as possible. If people are buying the top trims on the Telluride, that tells you that people are ok to spend the cash if they get the comfort and features. On the engine front, I think about 4 pot turbo charged relatively small displacement engines putting out over 300 HP, and I wonder about their long term reliability. The V6 engines from Kia/Hyundai might be older designs, but we're driving a 2022 Telluride and the engine/transmission combo is as smooth as butter. You feel like you got your money's worth when you're in that car. A commodity vehicle with a premium feel. As always, you present great, detail rich reviews. Keep 'em coming.

[底特律梯形脸]

Paying over MSRP for a mass produced vehicle is insane

[tripleagent]

Imagine paying over sticker for ANY vehicle. I will never understand it.

[StephenByersJ]

Current market I am seeing is $1K off MSRP and even seen a few up to $4K off. Assuming that isn’t bait and switch the tide is turning on Telluride markups. Which make sense, they basically launched into the start of COVID.

[paulm]

Need those orange square LED driving lights.

[nickyjean]

We have had nothing but problems with our 2021 Telluride. Buyer beware!! At 30 000 miles we had the rear differential replaced. It was replaced by the same differential. Kia dealership says it's a temporary fix until Kia figures out what is wrong with this differential. We've had the shocks replaced and the shock insulators. We are a couple in our mid 70's. We were thrilled to buy the car and we love how roomy it is. We really want to keep it but are considering replacing. Thought it would be our last new car purchase. Not sure now. Need to also get it in as the back window washing does not work. Second time it's been in for that issue.

[nj]

It's not nice that one can't buy the top trim with a bench seat.

[jpentzien]

Looked at both the Telluride and GH. You can tell a difference in quality of build/materials. Kia is showing more value for the price. We are likely going to get Telluride.

[plixie]

Before we got a Telluride EX, we went to see a highlander. We needed 3 rows. Not only was the 3rd row in the toyota basically nonexistent, it was more expensive (at the time, 21').

[Rick-mc]

Thanks for the thorough review. I really appreciated you taking the time to discuss how quiet the cabin is. That is very important to me and very few reviews even mention it.
Do you know if the palisade is as quiet as the Kia?
Are there any other SUVs, including luxury that are quieter than the telluride?
Also do you have any info on how the telluride does in deeper snow?
Thanks again.

[_jg]

I don’t have 30 minutes to find out who you think the top dog is but it’s still the Telluride. There isn’t a better looking SUV, inside and out, than the Telluride. The interior is well laid out with high quality materials. And the impressive 10yr/100k warranty is unbeatable. The Pilot and Toyota offerings look old or look like the drivers should be old.

[chiemekaa]

While the GH might have the fuel efficiency advantage, it looks cheaper both inside and out while still being more expensive (top trim) than the Telluride. I saw one in person and it was nothing special. In fact the Highlander actually looks more premium than its bigger sibling. Don't let the pictures fool you. This was my initial concern when Toyota announced it. How they would balance pricing against the Highlander and if 'Grand' actually implied a more premium interior.

[kceeman]

I REALLY like the Telluride but I just am having a hard time with the reliability factor with Kia. I am in the market for a new car and this is on my list though

[happykt]

My bother's wife just traded in her 6 yr old Honda Odyssey (the 3rd one she owned) for the SX Prestige Xline Telluride in black. I was shocked there was only one color at the 2nd highest trim level for the interior. She picked it up yesterday.

[sheldonduffy]

You gave the engine specifications for the discontinued CX-9.

The Mazda CX90 model you are reviewing has an inline 6 mild hybrid engine that Makes 280 hp, 332 lb ft of torque, and it has and an 8 speed automatic transmission.

[beverlyyoungblood]

I ordered a Telluride and when it was being built my dealer called and raised the agreed price. I said no thanks canceled my order refund my money. It's easy. Don't buy it. To many choices out there.

[mauriciomendez]

I remember when it first came out. Definitely was a looker! Kia has been knocking out of the park lately. Definitely needs a hybrid version...