I have a 2023 AWD S. Driving it is a pleasure. I’m not too happy about the towing situation since I want to get a boat soon and my other car is a Kia Optima. That’s messing up my plans. I feel like I am constantly filling up and average 21 mpg. My old 2017 Ram 1500 4x4 (also a V6) managed 26 mpg with the same driving conditions.
But those are my downsides. I love the car. The feeling of driving it, the interior comfort, and the design all please me. It’s my top choice when I have to pick. Also, it has like 25 USB ports, which is great for many people.
My 21 SX-P is great. It’s gotten over 31k miles while having kids under three. The storage is incredible, and the SXP offers many features including a heads-up display. It performs excellently in snowy conditions as well. We have taken multiple eight-hour trips, and comfort was never an issue.
Could the mileage be better? Yes, but it’s close to what I expected.
The negatives included a failed alternator and some electrical problems, but those were covered under warranty. Overall, it’s still one of the finest cars we’ve owned.
I have a 2023 AWD S model. It’s a joy to drive, but I’m upset about the towing situation since I plan on getting a boat soon and my other car is a Kia Optima. That impacts my plan a lot. I feel like I’m always filling up on gas with an average of 21 mpg. My previous car, a 2017 Ram 1500 4x4 (which is also a V6), got around 26 mpg with the same driving patterns.
But those are just the drawbacks. I truly enjoy the car’s driving experience, the comfortable interior, and its design. It’s my first pick when I need to choose. Besides, it has numerous USB charging stations which is great for many people.
I loved my 2022 until warning lights came on out of nowhere, and things started failing (like braking). The Kia service department in my area was really bad and didn’t show concern for my safety. It took a long time to fix issues, and because of that, I regret buying a Telluride after waiting three years for it to arrive.
I have a '23 EX. It’s an excellent car. I was doubtful because I usually prefer Honda, but the Pilot didn’t impress me. Most features that you pay extra for in a Toyota come standard. I have a few minor complaints:
I have to turn off the automatic engine shut-off feature every time if I don’t want the car to turn off when idling at a stoplight. It’s annoying but not a huge deal.
You can’t access the dialer in Android Auto while driving; I get why it’s a safety precaution.
The Kia Access app to lock/unlock has a slow response time.
There’s a built-in auto alarm if motion is detected after locking (e.g., if you left a pet in the car). I had to look up the manual to learn about this since my dog kept triggering it.
The EX model has flush roof rails, which makes finding reliable crossbars a bit tough and pricey.
So these are minor complaints that don’t ruin my overall experience.
There’s a lot of useful feedback from the comments here. I’ve owned my 23 since January. I’ll add my opinions:
There’s only one USB data/charge port for the infotainment system. The other ports are USB-C for charging only. You have to use a very good quality cable for the wired Android Auto to work consistently. When plugged in, you can’t play additional music files unless it’s from your phone.
No wireless connection between phone and infotainment, which seems odd for a vehicle that was refreshed. This also makes the one USB data port an issue.
The sound quality is okay, not premium as you would expect, especially considering the upgraded package. But that’s the only part that doesn’t live up to premium quality.
I haven’t had problems with the car feeling floaty or swaying with the lane-keeping function, but maybe I’m not as observant as others.
There’s no towing wiring harness or bumper cover available for it. I tried to install the previous year’s OEM hitch, which works for bike racks, but you can’t tow anything because it needs electric lights. I had to modify the plastic cover, but it’s not too noticeable. No solution seems to be available right now that wouldn’t void your warranty.
When picking a vehicle, think about what you need, what you want, and how much you can spend. Make sure you get the best value from your purchase. Keep any vehicle maintained properly, it will last a long time. If you keep cars for a long time like I do, consider underbody treatments. Also, look into the warranties—how much does it cost for extended warranties to make your vehicle choices comparable in price?
As mentioned, your satisfaction with any vehicle is greatly affected by the available service options to keep it in good shape, so see which options are near you. Call dealerships to make appointments—what’s the wait time? Do they provide loaners? What do reviews say about their service?
Just to mention the service aspect. Kia has terrible service. It’s awful from the showroom to maintenance. They’re rude, uninterested, and treat you like paying for a car and servicing it is a big favor to you.
While searching for my Telluride, I went through no less than 4 Kia dealers, and while looking for a second car (I ended up getting a Volvo because their service was much better), I had service done at two different dealerships.
I absolutely love my Telluride. It’s a great car and a good value for the money. But the Kia experience is disappointing.
I’ve owned multiple vehicles, including a range of luxury Asian models. The fit and finish of the Telluride is excellent. Each brand has its strengths, but overall, the Telluride feels like you’re driving a luxury car costing around $70,000. I can’t comment on the Palisade, but I’m speaking about the SX-P model. I’ve owned it for two years and have nearly zero complaints.
Once you sit in a higher trim Kia, it’s hard to be excited about other similar vehicles in its class. The Telluride offers the best mix of tech, comfort, and safety features for under $50,000. You can’t find these features in competitors without spending close to $70,000. The big question is long-term reliability and resale value. They have a great warranty, but time will tell. I just ordered a 2024 SXPX at MSRP, and I’m excited for its arrival. I know several people who own Tellurides, and they all love them. Cheers
Stay away from Kia and Hyundai. They have too many recalls and numerous class-action lawsuits for issues with oil consumption. For the people that enjoy them, take their advice with caution. Always do your research first; there’s a lot of information about how these two companies treat their customers.
I wouldn’t buy a Kia again because the service is so bad at the dealerships near me. The warranty sounds good, but in practice, they only cover what they want to. I ended up with expenses related to a rental for a week as they claimed the computer error code had been cleared when it hadn’t. I even have a photo of the error code. It’s a long story I’ve shared before.
I love my Telluride and would choose it again, even knowing some issues in newer models like the Atlas and Highlander have been fixed.
Our service dealer is new, making it feel modern and better than where I bought it before.
The credit manager at the dealership made a comment about how we were considered high risk regarding credit. They reported that interest rates for loans are typically pretty high during this season.
I drove our 2021 Telluride SX for about 45,000 miles and loved it. I had some issues with the 20-inch tires. I went through six tires already. The low-profile design struggles with potholes and picks up nails and screws easily. Those are probably Pirelli Scorpion tires, which many say are not the best quality. Aside from that, the vehicle drives remarkably well and is very comfortable. The luxury touches feel good for the price, and it has a lot of storage compared to other mid-sized SUVs with three rows.
I am enjoying my 2022 S trim so far. I’ll share some negatives, but overall I feel good about the car for the price I paid. The third row actually has room, unlike some other three-row SUVs.
Negatives: The CarPlay can be slow to react when my iPhone is connected, even if I’m using a new Apple cable.
-The maps in Waze/Google aren’t accurate in CarPlay (not sure if that’s typical for cars or Kia’s issue)
-The front collision warning is very sensitive.
-The EX trim is missing a power liftgate, and I didn’t want to spend extra for a higher trim.
-It doesn’t have the auto-folding third row.
-The headlights are not very bright (I upgraded to LED, and that fixed the issue).
-Reverse lights aren’t bright enough at night (again, LED fixed that).
-A plastic piece on the door trim fell off within the first year but snapped back in place easily.
-I have noticed a bit of a camera shake upon reversing lately, but I’m not sure if it impacts the guidance lines yet.
-The blind-spot monitoring works inconsistently.
-MPG isn’t as high as I hoped for in city driving.
I was a huge Subaru fan for eight years. My 2001 Forester was amazing. I never thought I’d enjoy a Kia, but it met all the needs I had for my new job responsibilities and I discovered I really overlooked many features. I’ve had the Telluride for 7,000 miles since February and it’s still going strong, driving daily over steep, winding mountain roads.