2018 Kia Telluride Review
The 2018 Kia Telluride is a considerable step up from Kia's previous attempt to penetrate the SUV market with the rattly Borrego. Presumably, the Telluride concept is bigger, roomier, and infinitely more composed than the Sorento. Unofficially, it marks Kia's first jab at creating a full-sized modern SUV.
Engine
Upfront, a 3.5-liter direct injection V6 supplies the large SUV with 270 Horsepower while a second electric motor mounted on the rear-wheel axle, chips in an additional 130 Horsepower. This impressive powertrain will be in charge of propelling the all-wheel driven SUV through an automatic transmission gearbox.
Performance
Kia are yet to release a lot of performance specs about the Telluride concept SUV. Save for its excellent fuel economy and an electronically limited speed of 155 mph, little else about the 2018 Telluride's prowess on the track is known.
Cabin and Exterior
Placed next to the Sorento, the Telluride effortlessly shadows its predecessor with a cabin that is 4.4 inches taller.
A quick front-view comparison reveals that the Telluride is also 4.7 inches wider while a lateral view shows that it is longer than the Sorento by a whopping 9.5 inches.
The wheelbase has also been stretched by 11.9 inches and placed upon a quad of formidable 22-inch wheels. Drifting back to the conventional, Kia has used unspectacular production cue mirrors, a 3D-printed steering wheel, dashboard, and side panels.
A quick look inside reveals why the Telluride might soon be dominating the luxury vehicle industry. The 7-passenger SUV has plus leather seats with generous padding and exceptional contouring.
The second row features a comfortable two-passenger setup that allows the occupants of the back seat to recline all the way into the back row. The third row is a bit cramped but sufficient for absorbing a luggage overflow whenever the spacious trunk is full.
Other features worth mentioning include the collapsible leg rests on the second-row passenger seats and an array of therapeutically-glowing LED lights on the moonroof.
Technology
The 2018 Kia Telluride is as future-proofed as any modern SUV should be. With power-steering, lane-switch notifiers, an advanced braking system, an HD rearview camera, and parking sensors available in base trims, the Telluride lacks little in the telemetry and driving electronics department.
For entertainment, the cabin has a powerful 7-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system. Conveniently placed within the cabin also are wireless headphone chargers in the console and a charging mat up front.
Fuel Economy
If flashy technology doesn't appeal to the buyer, the 2018 Kia Telluride will indeed capture more than a few interests with its 30-miles-to-the-gallon fuel economy on the highway.
Safety
Being the massive SUV that it is, the Telluride has plenty of space in the cabin to fit enough airbags for all the occupants. Furthermore, due to its size, the manufacturers have included a braking system that is snappy sufficiently to bring the large SUV to a halt smoothly and very abruptly.
Pros
- Very spacious cabin
- Good fuel economy
Cons
- Some parts, including the steering wheel, are mass-produced on the production line
MSRP and Release Date
Kia is yet to announce a release date for the Telluride, but its debut will most likely be at the end of the 2017 or in the first months of 2018. The MSRP will be determined by the base trim selected but will range between US$30,000 and US$40,000.
