Kia Telluride ('23 refresh added)
Kia Telluride SUV rated at up to 23 mpg combined
MPG released
Source
On paper, the 2020 Kia Telluride looks like it will compete well with the rest of the three-row SUV challengers. It offers unique looks, available all-wheel drive, an upscale interior, and affordable pricing. It's fuel economy numbers, however, pretty much fall in line with the Kia's main competitors.
The Telluride will have two orientations at launch. The 3.8-liter V6, which makes 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and eight-speed automatic transition will work together with either front-wheel drive or AWD setups. The EPA estimates that the FWD model will get 20 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined. The EPA rates the AWD model at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined.
That falls in line with most other mainstream V6-powered three-row SUVs. Although the rear-wheel-drive 2020 Ford Explorer has not yet been rated, the Honda Pilot with a 9-speed automatic gets 23 mpg combined, the 9-speed Chevrolet Traverse is rated at 21 mpg combined, the 6-speed Hyundai Santa Fe is rated at 21 mpg combined, and the 8-speed Toyota Highlander is rated at 23 mpg combined. The 8-speed Volkswagen Atlas brings up the rear of the pack with a rating of 19 mpg combined. For further comparison, the Mazda CX-9 has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's rated at 24 mpg combined, and the Subaru Ascent, which also has a turbocharged four but comes standard with all-wheel drive, gets 23 mpg combined.
The Telluride will have two orientations at launch. The 3.8-liter V6, which makes 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and eight-speed automatic transition will work together with either front-wheel drive or AWD setups. The EPA estimates that the FWD model will get 20 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined. The EPA rates the AWD model at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined.
That falls in line with most other mainstream V6-powered three-row SUVs. Although the rear-wheel-drive 2020 Ford Explorer has not yet been rated, the Honda Pilot with a 9-speed automatic gets 23 mpg combined, the 9-speed Chevrolet Traverse is rated at 21 mpg combined, the 6-speed Hyundai Santa Fe is rated at 21 mpg combined, and the 8-speed Toyota Highlander is rated at 23 mpg combined. The 8-speed Volkswagen Atlas brings up the rear of the pack with a rating of 19 mpg combined. For further comparison, the Mazda CX-9 has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's rated at 24 mpg combined, and the Subaru Ascent, which also has a turbocharged four but comes standard with all-wheel drive, gets 23 mpg combined.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,285
Likes: 310
From: ON/NY
Sat in this new model today at the Auto Show. Very nice! Think Genesis level of interior and design Double pane windows, soft covered a pillars. The seats were well used. Looks big. Should do well.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
Saw my first Telluride on the road today - I really liked it. I saw it on the highway and sped up a bit to get a good look. It was black - looked very sleek and had more Range Rover shape to it from the back and side than the pictures led on (I like RR styling). Once I passed it and was in front of it, I looked in my rear view mirror and felt the front looked mainly like a GMC Denali type mixed with a bit of a Ford Explorer. Had a very nice road presence. I'm interested in sitting in one in-person.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 241
From: California
Also saw one on the road and it grabbed my attention. I agree, it had a decent amount of road presence and looked upscale. It's nice to see someone crack the code while many others try and struggle.
a shame really.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
Good review that was just posted today. Interior looks awesome. Love 3rd row captains chairs. If you're looking at a Tahoe, QX80, I think this deserves a look.... I'd absolutely give it consideration when replacing our LX. $46k fully loaded!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
I have a feeling KIA may make that an option in the future but there's no way that would be a standard engine in this class. I guess to the Telluride's advantage, people are perceiving this as a bigger vehicle than it is or more upscale. They did a good job making it look visually large like a full-sizer. Fact is, it's shorter than my CX-9, although boxier making it more roomy. The engine is right in line with class averages. Has plenty of power. The twin turbo could be used to compete with the Explorer ST, which outside of the old Durango, is the only one in the segment that offers a performance version. Telluride does 0-60 in 7.1 seconds. That's fast in these things. Wasn't long ago that sports cars were slower.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 52
From: AZ
There is currently no transverse installation for the 3.3 twin turbo so it was not an option. I doubt that Hyundai/Kia will use that engine in a FWD chassis.
Good call, I didn’t think about that. But no reason they can’t convert it. The Lexus 8AR-FTS 2.0T is in the NX and IS which are FWD and RWD based. The Hyundai 3.8 is found on their RWD applications too. Let’s face it, they won’t drop the 5.0 in the Telluride/Palisade so 3.3 is the next best option.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 52
From: AZ
Good call, I didn’t think about that. But no reason they can’t convert it. The Lexus 8AR-FTS 2.0T is in the NX and IS which are FWD and RWD based. The Hyundai 3.8 is found on their RWD applications too. Let’s face it, they won’t drop the 5.0 in the Telluride/Palisade so 3.3 is the next best option.
