Anyone here own a KIA Telluride? What’s your take on it?

Hello everyone, I’m considering getting a KIA Telluride for my wife. She drives a 2023 Kia Sportage and it’s been great, no issues at all. But since our family is growing, we need a bigger car, and the Telluride seems to be the one. Can anyone share their thoughts on the pros and cons of this vehicle?

Bought a 2024 model last October. It’s been great, though I’ve had some bad luck with gravel hitting the windshield, so now I have a crack. One thing that bugs me is the key fob. The buttons are on the side instead of the front. When I try to use the remote start, I accidentally press the unlock button on the other side. Also, it seems like you need to be really close to the car for the functions to work.

@DaniellaSilva
I don’t like the fob either. The key blade is separate from it, unlike our Toyota where it’s hidden inside. It’s way too big for what it is. The remote start button is a bit too soft, so it’s easy to press the wrong one by mistake.

@tonycruise
Yeah, my F-150 fob is a little thick but not as wide. The key slides in and all the buttons are on the front. It’s a much better design.

Pros:

  1. It’s really spacious. I’m 6’4” and I fit comfortably in the second row.
  2. Plenty of tech and premium features for a reasonable price.
  3. Powerful engine.
  4. Lots of trim options.
  5. Good fuel efficiency for its size – I get 23 mpg.
  6. On higher trims, there’s a massaging feature for the driver during long drives.

Cons:

  1. There’s a reason they offer a 10-year/100k mile warranty – things break often.
  2. Some recall issues with trim pieces around windows.
  3. Mechanics tend to warn against Kia and Hyundai in general.

@MaxKiaEnthusiast
I was going to mention the same thing, you covered it well.

Kevin said:
@MaxKiaEnthusiast
I was going to mention the same thing, you covered it well.

Great minds think alike.

MaxKiaEnthusiast said:

Kevin said:
@MaxKiaEnthusiast
I was going to mention the same thing, you covered it well.

Great minds think alike.

I have an ‘21 SX Nightfall with 51k miles. Already had the window trim issue. Rear brakes need new assemblies and there’s a small transmission leak. The auto start-stop hasn’t worked for 18 months, and Kia doesn’t know why. I had an independent shop tell me I need a new battery. I’m concerned this might get costly as the mileage goes up.

@MaxKiaEnthusiast
Rockandroll and braincovery right on. Multiple recalls and warranty claims after 14 months with a ‘24 SX Xline. Now, a big crack appeared in the windshield for no obvious reason. Turns out it’s a manufacturing defect Kia won’t address. I’m thinking of getting rid of the car.

@MiaKiaTalker
I had an SX Prestige XLine and traded it in after just a year.

From what I’ve read here, if she likes her Sorento, she’ll definitely love the Telluride. We have one, and after renting a Sorento for a family trip, I can say the Telluride is quicker, quieter, and feels more luxurious. She will love it.

@ManKia
That’s only true for the Sorento with the standard 2.5L engine with 187 hp. The higher trims have the turbocharged 2.5L with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft, so it’s actually a little quicker than the Telluride. However, it’s only 0.3 seconds faster, and the Telluride is smoother with much better cargo space behind the third row compared to the Sorento.

We were looking at the Telluride, but then we found the Hyundai Palisade. My wife loved it and never wanted anything else. Both are basically the same car but with different styles inside and out. We preferred the Palisade because of its more luxurious feel (especially the Calligraphy trim). We found it cheaper used too. We bought a 2022 Calligraphy and absolutely love it. But either way, the Telluride or Palisade is a great choice. Just a heads-up, I’d recommend changing the oil more frequently than the recommended 7,500 miles, as some owners have noticed oil loss at higher mileage. Also, use the fuel additive when advised, since they have direct injection engines that need more attention. Sorry for the long message, just wanted to share this advice. Many owners have reached over 100k miles with the right maintenance and no issues.

I have a 2022 Telluride and love it. I used to own a Subaru Ascent, and the Telluride is superior in almost every way. Some nice features include the auto-sensing liftgate, easy-to-fold rear seats, and a roomy interior. There are some quirks, but nothing I couldn’t work with. We were a Subaru family, but now I think the Telluride has definitely won us over.

@Bright
Yeah, my wife was considering switching to Subaru, but I quickly shut that idea down. Kia has really improved their vehicles, and I trust them for my wife and kids.

No cons. Just pros. Who doesn’t love pros?

We’ve had our 2025 SX Prestige for about a month now, and we love it. Almost all pros. The safety features are great, the interior looks and feels upscale compared to Toyotas and Hondas, and the infotainment system is responsive and easy to use.

The only cons are minor: the lack of wireless CarPlay/Android Auto is annoying, but you can get around it with USB dongles that use both Bluetooth and WiFi. My wife prefers Android Auto, but I actually prefer the built-in system. The only other thing is I wish the key fob could be linked to a driver profile to automatically adjust settings, but that’s a small thing.

@Garcia
I’m considering the Telluride too, but I didn’t know that even the 2025s don’t have wireless CarPlay. Can that be added via a software update or is it something that will never be available?