I am thinking about getting a new car. I’m looking at the Kia Telluride SX X-line or the SX Prestige X-line. I should mention that I don’t know much about SUVs but I want to find a good one that fits my lifestyle. I’ve been driving a Volvo XC 60 for the last 9 years and I want to change to something a bit bigger. I live in the mountains of Colorado where the temperature changes a lot during the day. I’ve heard about issues with temperature affecting the devices, which sounds pretty bad. I’ve also heard that the car doesn’t have a lot of clearance underneath, and I’m worried I might hit the transmission. I work in the ski industry and enjoy backcountry camping during the summer. I sometimes drive 100 miles a day back and forth, through snow and ice—I would get snow tires—but I’m just wondering if this is the best SUV for me. I’m also considering the Highlander (similar concerns), the Volvo XC60, Jeep Cherokee, or the 4Runner, but the 4Runner has worse MPG and I’m not a fan of its height. I’m really eager to hear opinions from current owners—is the Telluride just a city SUV? Thanks for your help
It’s definitely more suited for city driving, but how it handles snow really depends on the tires rather than the SUV itself. It might not be the best on gas if you’re driving 100 miles daily.
If you want a midsize SUV that balances city driving with off-road capabilities, have you thought about the Honda Pilot Trailsport or the Chevy Traverse Z71?
It might not be the best on gas if you’re driving 100 miles daily.
For a midsize SUV, it’s not too bad. It’s pretty average. If you drive in eco mode and do mainly highways, 24-26 mpg isn’t out of the question.
@Azriel
I’ve gotten up to 30 mpg on long highway trips
Dior said:
@Azriel
I’ve gotten up to 30 mpg on long highway trips
That’s impressive. I did a nonstop drive from Vermont to Pennsylvania on one tank of gas (about 6 hours). I got 26 mpg. It was loaded, and I had all-terrain tires. These engines can be a bit thirsty, but the transmission helps with that.
@Azriel
Exactly! My trip was at night on a highway, perfect conditions. Also, driving over 70 mph really drops the fuel economy.
Dior said:
@Azriel
I’ve gotten up to 30 mpg on long highway trips
Same here! And mine is all-wheel drive.
Dior said:
@Azriel
I’ve gotten up to 30 mpg on long highway trips
Same here! And mine is all-wheel drive.
That’s great! Mine is just front-wheel drive since our winters are mild. I also have two 4WD trucks, and we mainly use the Telluride on rural and state highways.
@Aspen
I haven’t looked at those yet, but I’m open to suggestions. Thank you! Fuel efficiency is really important to me.
I’m in a similar situation, checking out midsize SUVs. My commute is about 40 miles each way and I wanted something with good gas mileage, space for gear and family, practical, and safe in the snow. I used to live in Colorado but now I’m in New England. I just test drove the Volvo XC90 T8 recharge and the more budget-friendly Telluride SX-Prestige. Honestly, I thought the Telluride made better use of space, had a more practical design, and better tech. The Volvo felt more luxurious and I like the idea of a PHEV powertrain, but I think the Telluride is hard to beat for the price. The X-Line has 8.4 inches of ground clearance, which should be enough for many trailheads. If you really need more ground clearance, you’d probably need to look at the 4Runner or Land Cruiser.
I also checked out the Mazda CX-90 since I enjoy how Mazdas drive (we also have a CX-5), but I felt the interior space was not well-designed for its size.
The Grand Highlander seems a bit boring, but it’s functional for families. I didn’t look at the Pilot but considered the Acura MDX, though it’s pricier than the Telluride and people say it has bad gas mileage.
Right now, I think I’m 90% leaning toward the Telluride—it really checks all my boxes.
You should consider the 2024 X-Pro. I have one and I’m averaging around 20.7 mpg. I’m loving it.
I’ve had a 2022 since it was new, and I now have 50k miles on it. I can’t think of a single downside. It’s a great SUV.
For you, the biggest downside might be engine power at high altitudes. The V6 works well at sea level, but you lose 3% power every 1,000 feet. So if you are at 10,000 feet, you may lose up to 30% power. You might want something with a turbocharged engine or one that has extra power at sea level to make sure it still performs well at higher elevations.
If you choose the Telluride, definitely consider going for the X-Pro.
Afton said:
If you choose the Telluride, definitely consider going for the X-Pro.
Why’s that?
Afton said:
If you choose the Telluride, definitely consider going for the X-Pro.
Why’s that?
The person who posted this said,
“I work in the ski industry and I’m a big backcountry camper in the summer. I sometimes drive 100 miles a day through snow and ice.”
I have a fully loaded 2025 X-Line Prestige. So far, it’s been great.
I mainly drive in cities and haven’t gone through a winter yet, as I’m in the Midwest.
For your needs, I’d strongly recommend the 4Runner. It’ll handle everything you need and last longer. Kia often focuses on luxury features with a less powerful engine at a semi-affordable price.
If you care more about features than function, go with the Kia. But if you need something more functional—sounds like you do—get the 4Runner.
If you’re mostly on pavement, gravel roads, or in ski area parking lots, you’d enjoy the Telluride for its comfort. However, if you need to travel forestry roads, ATV trails, or do serious off-roading, a Jeep may be a better option. As you get older, you’ll likely prioritize comfort over off-roading. Just a thought!
I live in Fort Collins and go up into the mountains without issues. I don’t drive as much as you mentioned, but I have gone off-roading with no problems. I drive a 2024 SX Pro-Prestige. If off-roading or camping off pavement is your goal, I’d recommend going for the X-Pro over the X-Line. It offers better tires, clearance, and tow rating.
@Adair
The ground clearance for the SXP X-Line and X-Pro is the same at 8.4 inches.