I test drove the Telluride and loved the technology and space. The ride was decent and had enough power. The only question I have now is whether Kia is reliable and how good their dealers are to work with. Please share your thoughts. I’m coming from Tesla where I’ve generally had a good experience
The Telluride is the highest rated vehicle that consumer reports has reviewed. It really is the best car in its class
Cairo said:
The Telluride is the highest rated vehicle that consumer reports has reviewed. It really is the best car in its class
The Telluride has an overall score of 84, which is quite good, but it’s not the highest rated vehicle at Consumer Reports. Right now, it’s the second highest in its class, just behind the Toyota Highlander.
Predicted reliability is average. I’m not sure which Tesla model you have or had, but rated Tesla models tend to have average to below-average reliability according to Consumer Reports.
Not trying to hate on Tellurides… If I was looking for a 3-row SUV, it would definitely be at the top of my list
I’ve been working with a sales rep at Kia for an EV9, and she’s been completely honest. The key is making sure you handle the negotiation. Don’t share any info until you know your out-the-door price for the vehicle and watch out for extra fees. The Telluride is a really nice-looking SUV
@Brier
Will the EV9 be your only EV? I test drove it and thought it was beautiful, but since I already have an EV and the range seems too low for me, I decided against it
Dru said:
@Brier
Will the EV9 be your only EV? I test drove it and thought it was beautiful, but since I already have an EV and the range seems too low for me, I decided against it
It’s the only three-row EV available, which is its main appeal. I’m not sure if I’ll buy it just yet, though, even with the tempting deals right now
@Brier
Rivian R1S if you can afford it. Those discounts sound interesting
Dru said:
@Brier
Rivian R1S if you can afford it. Those discounts sound interesting
Will Rivian still be around in a year 
Kia’s automatic transmissions are generally quite reliable. Their V6 engines are usually reliable too.
The 3.8 Lambda II is an older engine design, which could be a good sign for reliability, but it has only been available in the 3.8 version since 2018-19. I haven’t seen any complaints about it. It’s based on V6s that go back even further to 2005.
One downside might be that it’s GDI, which can lead to more carbon buildup. But a lot of engines are GDI now, including Hyundai and Kia’s 3.3L and 3.5L. I haven’t seen many complaints about carbon buildup either
If you get one, just keep an eye on the oil filter housing. It tends to leak oil, and that part is often on backorder. The part number is 26300-3LAA0
Devi said:
If you get one, just keep an eye on the oil filter housing. It tends to leak oil, and that part is often on backorder. The part number is 26300-3LAA0
Yep
I have a 2020 EX AWD. I’m at 63k miles and have changed the oil every 5k miles, the cabin air filter every 15k, and the engine air filter every 20k. I live and work at a large materials plant in East Texas, and it’s very dusty.
I replaced the rear rotors and rear pads and the front pads too. I towed a 3000lb trailer for about 2000 miles without any problems, other than needing to replace my rear shocks at 60k miles.
Overall, I’m getting about 20 mpg and it’s been a great car so far
@Dylan
I’ve heard a lot of talk lately about these cars consuming half a quart of oil every 1000 miles, or even worse.
What has your experience been? Is it burning oil that quickly?
My brother has a 2020 Telluride. The front windshield cracked and was supposed to be a fault they were going to cover, but they never did. The coupler broke, and there have been engine issues for two years now. They were told it could be hard to find the exact problem and might need a whole new engine. It only has 115,000 miles. If it was more reliable, I would consider one for the space and visibility, but it’s been a negative experience for them. The local service department also lacks good help. It’s hard to get anyone helpful
Reliability is good overall. But I would advise looking into the specifics a little more. Look at typical owner complaints for each model year and which options appear to cause issues for owners. For instance, several owners have complained about peculiarities in the gearbox and certain infotainment functions. As you can see from the attached screen capture from the Car IQ Report, some model years are more dependable than others, etc.
Examining such specifics will assist you in determining whether the car is a good fit for you, particularly if you intend to retain it for a long time.
My cousin has one with 75k miles and no issues at all