2023 Kia Telluride

The 2023 Kia Telluride will see two new trims but will also retain the existing trims as well. According to the latest information, the all-new X-Line and X-Pro trims will be off-road focused with possible features such as lifted suspension for more ground clearance, reworked bodywork for enhanced approach and departure angles, and unique front grille design, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and upgraded traction control system. Apart from these, the base LX trim will see an estimated starting price of $35,000 and gets features such as an 8-seater configuration, keyless entry and ignition, faux leather upholstery, and standard Apple CarPlay along with Android Auto. The S trim will get bigger 20-inch wheels, power-adjustable driver's seat, sunroof, and captain's chair seats for the 2nd-row among other features. The EX trim gets its upholstery upgraded to premium leather along with getting a hands-free liftgate, acoustically-shielded front window glasses for better cabin insulation, and ventilated front seats with power adjustments for the front passenger seat. The top-end SX has a luxury car-like 360-degree camera system, memory settings for the driver's seat, and dual sunroofs.

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Kia has curated the trim levels carefully to meet the requirement of shoppers on every budget. The base LX trim is best suited for large families since it gets that proper 8-seater configuration. The EX model makes more sense if you're looking for luxury and creature comfort features.

Release Date

No official release date for the 2023 Kia Telluride has been made official by Kia yet. However, we expect the SUV to be available for purchase by fall 2022 through Kia dealerships.

Three-row SUVs have become quite fuel-efficient with time despite carrying V6 motors under their hoods which put out some commendable performance on the road. The Kia Telluride has a similar story which is evident from its EPA ratings. In the city limits, the SUV returns an average of 20mpg while highway driving sees the number jumping up to 26mpg. The combined mileage of the SUV is rated at 23mpg. The SUV is fitted with a standard 18.8-gallon gas tank that allows it to travel as much as 356 miles in the city on a single tank full of gasoline.

The Nissan Pathfinder returns around 21mpg of city mileage along with 26mpg of highway mileage which is identical to both the Telluride and the Palisade. The Hyundai Palisade has 1mpg lower city and combined mileage ratings but identical highway mileage rating with the Telluride due to powertrain sharing. The Honda Pilot takes the crown here with its biggest 19.5-gallon fuel tank and 27mpg of highway mileage rating.

The interior of the 2023 Kia Telluride is one aspect that’ll draw maximum attention. Moreover, since the SUV will come with an upgraded interior, it’ll look a lot more like luxurious German SUVs. The dashboard design has been made a lot simpler with a huge screen that houses two individual screens, one for the driver’s instrument cluster and the gauges while the other one is for the infotainment screen. Below the screen, there are two sleek air-con vents that house the hazard-light button in the middle and the air-con controls are placed below in an analog-digital setup. The center stack is wide and houses the gear selector stick. 

Other than that, there are a few small cubby holes for storage; however, the amount of space is on the lower side when compared to the rivals here. Right from the base trim, the SUV gets faux leather treatment throughout the cabin. Also, the rear passengers get a separate automatic climate control from the base trim as well, cool right? Coming to space, there's plenty of it inside the cabin, and occupants on all three rows can sit and enjoy the ride comfortably. The seats offer excellent comfort levels and you can go on driving for several hundred miles without getting weary. The cargo capacity behind the third-row seats is commendable at 21 cu-ft.

The Nissan Pathfinder has been known for having a comfortable and plush cabin, and the latest model of the SUV walks in the right direction too with its upgraded interior. The front seats are more spacious and equally comfortable when compared to the Telluride but its third row lacks the right amount of space, especially for adults. Moreover, the cargo capacity is on the lower side as well with only 16.6 cu-ft at its disposal. The Hyundai Palisade is slightly less stylish than the Telluride and also lacks luxurious design elements. However, it does offer a similar amount of cabin space as compared to the Telluride. The Honda Pilot’s cabin might look and feel a bit dated, but is quite a comfy place to be in. Additionally, the third-row seats of the Pilot are as spacious and comfy as both the Telluride and the Palisade.

Some of the key interior features available with the 2023 Kia Telluride include:

• Faux leather upholstery
• Dual zone automatic climate control
• Rear seat automatic climate control
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Window sunshade for second-row seats

How intuitive is the 2023 Kia Telluride’s infotainment system?

The infotainment system onboard the 2023 Kia Telluride would be both feature-packed and useful as well. As standard, the SUV gets a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display that looks and feels like a mini tablet. The display is bright and the touch is responsive while the menu items are laid out in an easy-to-use configuration. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard along with Wi-Fi and navigation. The base model gets a 6-speaker audio system while you can also get a 10-speaker premium Harman Kardon audio system. Kia also provides a Driver Talk feature that enhances the communication between the driver and the rear passengers by amplifying the driver’s voice through the speakers.

Some of the most notable infotainment features available with the 2023 Kia Telluride include:

• 12.2-inch touchscreen display
• Navigation
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Wi-Fi
• Wireless charging pad
• Driver Talk
• 6-speaker/10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system

The 2023 Kia Telluride will get a facelift too which includes a redesigned front and rear end of the vehicle. At the front, the grille design has been updated slightly while the small yet powerful headlamp units now sport a vertical design. The front bumper also gets a slightly newer design, making the front fascia of the Telluride more intimidating than before. At the rear, the changes are subtle and only the rear bumper received a completely new design. The vertical all-LED tail lamps always looked great and there has been no change there though. The side profile of the SUV remains similar and the design of the standard wheels is expected to receive an update as well.

The Nissan Pathfinder doesn’t look as intimidating as the Telluride but its design looks fresh and the front end oozes a bold statement. On paper, the Pathfinder is slightly longer and heavier than the Telluride but the difference is not noticeable in real life. However, the Telluride is the one here with the maximum ground clearance. The Hyundai Palisade gets Hyundai’s new design that is found on other vehicles from the brand as well. It looks quite different from its mechanical twin but has a distinctive and aggressive appearance on the road. The Honda Pilot has a sophisticated and urban feel to its design and has a shorter wheelbase than the rest of the rivals here. The LED headlamp units of the Pilot look unique, though.

Some standout exterior features include:

• 18-inch/20-inch wheels
• Roof rails
• Sunroof/dual sunroofs
• Hands-free liftgate
• Power-folding ORVMs
• LED headlamps

The safety aspect of the Kia Telluride has been a solid one too, like its design and interiors. The previous year’s model scored a perfect 5-star rating from the NHTSA and received the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS as well. The 2023 Telluride will get multiple ADAS techs as standard including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and forward collision mitigation system.

Some of the standout safety features include:

• Forward Collision Mitigation
• Blind Spot Monitoring System with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Evasive Steering Assist
• Surround view camera system

2023 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is a highly-preferable crossover in this class like it has been for a long time now. The previous model was known for its cozy cabin but had a dated design. However, after its update, both the interior and exterior have been taken care of. While going up against the Telluride, the Pathfinder matches the former almost equally except for the third-row legroom and total available cargo space behind the third row. Apart from these, both the SUVs are almost equal in terms of fuel economy and performance along with standard features and comfort levels as well.

2023 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade is the mechanical twin of the Kia Telluride and lends its powertrains and platform to the latter as well. Moreover, both the SUVs have similar interior dimensions too, making both the vehicles draw a tie. The Palisade might look slightly toned-down than the Telluride, but in a good way. When it comes to choosing between these two, it completely depends on the preference of styling.

2023 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot has been a formidable crossover in the segment for over a decade until the Telluride showed up around the block. Not only is the Telluride better in terms of comfort and styling, but it also has a better performance aspect too. Additionally, the Telluride offers a lot more standard in-cabin features and safety techs including multiple ADAS systems as well. The Telluride also boasts a practical ground clearance, whereas the Pilot’s lower ride height makes it strictly an urban family vehicle.

If you’re looking for a bold-looking, cozy, and big family mover, the updated 2023 Kia Telluride should be on the top of your list. Apart from the flashy design updates it'll come with, you’ll get to see two new trims focused on bringing off-roading experience in the segment and we’re eagerly waiting for the brand to drop the curtains. The regular models of the Telluride offer a German luxury SUV-like comfort and features without compromising on the safety aspect. Overall, the Telluride poses a worthy alternative to the mainstream luxury SUVs, which also punches above their weight.