The New 2023 Kia Telluride
While the midsize SUV segment was once the playground for American vehicle manufacturers, the latest generation of family SUVs are being dominated by names that have come a long way. But perhaps no midsize crossover SUV has made such an impact as the Kia Telluride. The Telluride packages well-rounded performance, handsome styling, and great features at great pricing, and has quickly become a favorite of critics across the automotive spectrum. The 2023 Kia Telluride builds on the success of the last few years with a styling refresh for the new year, and much more!
Performance Features
Under the hood of every 2023 Kia Telluride is a 3.8-liter V6 engine that turns out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission, helping the big SUV to hit 60 miles per hour from a standing start in only 7.1 seconds. Of course, you’re likely not checking out an SUV for racing – you want to be able to tow, and the Telluride comes through with up to 5500 pounds of towing capabilities. Front-wheel drive models get 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while all-wheel drive models drop to 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Drive Mode Select provides Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart modes – on all-wheel-drive versions, you also get AWD Lock and Snow modes.
That being said, the loss at the pump comes with poor road and poor-weather driving confidence in exchange. Overall, the handling in the Telluride is firm and predictable, the steering is accurate and responsive, and the suspension offers a smooth ride. With 8.0 inches of ground clearance and an available self-leveling rear air suspension, the Telluride is prepared to tackle light off-road excursions.
Under the hood of every 2023 Kia Telluride is a 3.8-liter V6 engine that turns out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission, helping the big SUV to hit 60 miles per hour from a standing start in only 7.1 seconds. Of course, you’re likely not checking out an SUV for racing – you want to be able to tow, and the Telluride comes through with up to 5500 pounds of towing capabilities. Front-wheel drive models get 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while all-wheel drive models drop to 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Drive Mode Select provides Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart modes – on all-wheel-drive versions, you also get AWD Lock and Snow modes.
That being said, the loss at the pump comes with poor road and poor-weather driving confidence in exchange. Overall, the handling in the Telluride is firm and predictable, the steering is accurate and responsive, and the suspension offers a smooth ride. With 8.0 inches of ground clearance and an available self-leveling rear air suspension, the Telluride is prepared to tackle light off-road excursions.
Style and Technology
New features and colors are the highlights of the update for the 2023 Kia Telluride. This includes an updated grille, updated bumpers and taillights, new wheel designs, and three new exterior color options. These provide the SUV with a cleaner, updated look while sticking to the Kia theme – the Tiger Nose grille is still there, just different. New X-Line and X-Pro trims get additional rugged exterior looks.
There is room for seven or eight passengers inside the cabin of the Telluride, depending on whether you go with bench seats or captain’s chairs in the second row. Either way, there is plenty of room for adults in the second row, and even smaller adults will find the third row acceptable for medium-length rides. Cargo space is above average for the class, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row of seats, 46 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 87 cubic feet max.
Big and bright, the 12.3-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard on every 2023 Telluride, and includes HD Radio and SiriusXm. A Harman Kardon premium audio system with 10 speakers, Clari-Fi technology and QuantumLogic Surround is available. Wireless smartphone charging is also available, so you can stow the cords instead of dealing with them all over the cabin, and you can get up to six USB charging ports!
New features and colors are the highlights of the update for the 2023 Kia Telluride. This includes an updated grille, updated bumpers and taillights, new wheel designs, and three new exterior color options. These provide the SUV with a cleaner, updated look while sticking to the Kia theme – the Tiger Nose grille is still there, just different. New X-Line and X-Pro trims get additional rugged exterior looks.
There is room for seven or eight passengers inside the cabin of the Telluride, depending on whether you go with bench seats or captain’s chairs in the second row. Either way, there is plenty of room for adults in the second row, and even smaller adults will find the third row acceptable for medium-length rides. Cargo space is above average for the class, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row of seats, 46 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 87 cubic feet max.
Big and bright, the 12.3-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard on every 2023 Telluride, and includes HD Radio and SiriusXm. A Harman Kardon premium audio system with 10 speakers, Clari-Fi technology and QuantumLogic Surround is available. Wireless smartphone charging is also available, so you can stow the cords instead of dealing with them all over the cabin, and you can get up to six USB charging ports!
Safety
Included under the Kia Drive Wise suite in the 2023 Kia Telluride is a lengthy list of driver assistance features, from the mundane to the cutting-edge. Every Telluride features a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, vehicle exit warning, and Driver Attention Warning. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning is standard on all models, while additional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist options including Car, Pedestrian, and Cyclist Detection; Junction Crossing; Lane-Change Oncoming; Lane-Change Side; and Evasive Steering Assist are all available.
Included under the Kia Drive Wise suite in the 2023 Kia Telluride is a lengthy list of driver assistance features, from the mundane to the cutting-edge. Every Telluride features a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, vehicle exit warning, and Driver Attention Warning. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning is standard on all models, while additional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist options including Car, Pedestrian, and Cyclist Detection; Junction Crossing; Lane-Change Oncoming; Lane-Change Side; and Evasive Steering Assist are all available.
Trim Levels
Thanks to the new X-Line and X-Pro trim levels, there are a full fourteen variations of the 2023 Kia Telluride available – it’s impossible to not find one that works for your needs!
On the base Telluride LX trim, there is plenty to love. Aside from the standards mentioned above, it comes with 18-inch alloy wheels and body-color trim with some silver accents. SynTex synthetic leather seating trim is standard, with manual front seat adjustment. Dual-zone automatic temperature control is standard, along with rear automatic temperature control, and there are five USB charging points throughout the cabin – even available for rear row passengers. Even on this base trim, Remote Engine Start is standard so you can start your Telluride and get the temperature control going on hot or frigid days to prep the cabin! Rear Occupant Alert with Ultrasonic Sensors and Safe Exit Assist are both standard on this and every trim.
Stepping up to the Telluride S trim brings 20-inch alloy D-Type design wheels with black finish and machined finish accents to the exterior, along with satin-chrome and body-color door handles. While the interior is mostly the same, there are a number of options unlocked, and the driver’s seat gets 8-way power adjustability with 2-way lumbar support. Both the driver and passenger front seat are heated. The S trim and above get a wireless phone charger.
Thanks to the new X-Line and X-Pro trim levels, there are a full fourteen variations of the 2023 Kia Telluride available – it’s impossible to not find one that works for your needs!
On the base Telluride LX trim, there is plenty to love. Aside from the standards mentioned above, it comes with 18-inch alloy wheels and body-color trim with some silver accents. SynTex synthetic leather seating trim is standard, with manual front seat adjustment. Dual-zone automatic temperature control is standard, along with rear automatic temperature control, and there are five USB charging points throughout the cabin – even available for rear row passengers. Even on this base trim, Remote Engine Start is standard so you can start your Telluride and get the temperature control going on hot or frigid days to prep the cabin! Rear Occupant Alert with Ultrasonic Sensors and Safe Exit Assist are both standard on this and every trim.
Stepping up to the Telluride S trim brings 20-inch alloy D-Type design wheels with black finish and machined finish accents to the exterior, along with satin-chrome and body-color door handles. While the interior is mostly the same, there are a number of options unlocked, and the driver’s seat gets 8-way power adjustability with 2-way lumbar support. Both the driver and passenger front seat are heated. The S trim and above get a wireless phone charger.
EX trim Tellurides can be equipped with the self-leveling rear suspension as an option, for a smoother ride. Outside, the mirrors are now power-folding, and the front door windows are acoustically sound. A power tilt-slide sunroof makes it easy to open up the cabin for sunshine on a pleasant day, while the Hands-Free Power Liftgate makes it easy to load and unload cargo. The interior gets dressed up with synthetic leather wrapped side handles for the floor console, satin chrome interior door handles, and a second-row and cargo area LED lamp. Full leather upholstery wraps the seats, while the front passenger seat gets 8-way power adjustability with two-way electric lumbar support. Both front seats get ventilation as well, while a heated steering wheel is optional.
Available on the EX trim and up, the X-Line All-Wheel Drive package features standard all-wheel drive, along with a number of capability upgrades including 10mm more ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles, a Tow mode for optimized trailering performance, and an upgraded Traction Control System (TCS). Outside, it adds a unique radiator grille design, body-color door handles, exclusive 20-inch wheels and X-Line badging. On the inside, “X-Line” embossing on front seat upper backrest is standard, and you get exclusive color package choices.
The SX trim doesn’t automatically get what is in the X-Line package – but that package is available on the trim. 20-inch wheels are standard, but get a different design from lower levels. Unique exterior trim sets the SX apart, including gloss black mirror trim and satin chrome low-profile roof rails. The sunroof gets upgraded to a dual sunroof with front tilt-slide functionality. Inside, the meter cluster gets upgraded to a massive 12.3-inch full LCD curved cluster, for impressive clarity and display. Stainless steel pedal and door scuff plates, along with an Interior Mood lamp with 64 colors, offer luxury touches. The driver’s seat is upgraded to 10-way power adjustability and includes cushion extension, thigh support, 4-way lumbar support and the Integrated Memory System. Audiophiles will love the Harman Kardon 10-speaker system that is standard on this trim and above.
Available on the EX trim and up, the X-Line All-Wheel Drive package features standard all-wheel drive, along with a number of capability upgrades including 10mm more ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles, a Tow mode for optimized trailering performance, and an upgraded Traction Control System (TCS). Outside, it adds a unique radiator grille design, body-color door handles, exclusive 20-inch wheels and X-Line badging. On the inside, “X-Line” embossing on front seat upper backrest is standard, and you get exclusive color package choices.
The SX trim doesn’t automatically get what is in the X-Line package – but that package is available on the trim. 20-inch wheels are standard, but get a different design from lower levels. Unique exterior trim sets the SX apart, including gloss black mirror trim and satin chrome low-profile roof rails. The sunroof gets upgraded to a dual sunroof with front tilt-slide functionality. Inside, the meter cluster gets upgraded to a massive 12.3-inch full LCD curved cluster, for impressive clarity and display. Stainless steel pedal and door scuff plates, along with an Interior Mood lamp with 64 colors, offer luxury touches. The driver’s seat is upgraded to 10-way power adjustability and includes cushion extension, thigh support, 4-way lumbar support and the Integrated Memory System. Audiophiles will love the Harman Kardon 10-speaker system that is standard on this trim and above.
Available on the SX trim and above, the X-Pro All-Wheel Drive package, like the X-Line, comes with standard AWD. X-Pro includes everything that the X-Line package has outside, albeit with X-Pro badging and with exclusive 18-inch black wheels, and Continental all-terrain tires. Inside, X-Pro embossing decorates the front seats, and the cargo area adds a 110-volt inverter outlet for powering your outdoor adventures. Topping it all off, the X-Pro trim unlocks the full 5,500-pound towing capacity of the Telluride.
The top SXP trim is also available with the X-Line or X-Pro package, but if you don’t want the off-road looks and capabilities, there’s still a whole lot in this trim for SUV buyers! Front rain-sensing windshield wipers are standard. The interior gets some great luxury upgrades – premium cloth is added for the headliner and the A- and B-pillar trims, while premium Nappa Leather seating trim wraps the seats. The second row of split-folding captain chairs are heated and ventilated, with three setting for each. The heated steering wheel is standard on this trim. The center console features a 110V inverter for powering accessories.
The top SXP trim is also available with the X-Line or X-Pro package, but if you don’t want the off-road looks and capabilities, there’s still a whole lot in this trim for SUV buyers! Front rain-sensing windshield wipers are standard. The interior gets some great luxury upgrades – premium cloth is added for the headliner and the A- and B-pillar trims, while premium Nappa Leather seating trim wraps the seats. The second row of split-folding captain chairs are heated and ventilated, with three setting for each. The heated steering wheel is standard on this trim. The center console features a 110V inverter for powering accessories.
Want to Learn More?
The 2022 version of the Telluride won over the critics at both U.S. News and World Reports and Kelley Blue Book, winning the 3-Row Midsize SUV Best Buy of 2022 from the latter. With the 2023 Kia Telluride continuing to feature the same comforts, conveniences, and incredible safety packages at an affordable sticker price, now in an even more handsome package, there’s no doubt that it will be a repeat performance! Come check out the restyled Telluride today and find the right trim for you! Contact us to schedule your test drive at West Broad Kia today!
The 2022 version of the Telluride won over the critics at both U.S. News and World Reports and Kelley Blue Book, winning the 3-Row Midsize SUV Best Buy of 2022 from the latter. With the 2023 Kia Telluride continuing to feature the same comforts, conveniences, and incredible safety packages at an affordable sticker price, now in an even more handsome package, there’s no doubt that it will be a repeat performance! Come check out the restyled Telluride today and find the right trim for you! Contact us to schedule your test drive at West Broad Kia today!