mmarshall

(SX interior)


Kia's new crossover Telluride SUV has been drawing some interest lately on Car Chat, and my brother, a Kia fan, wanted my opinion of it, even though he is not currently in the market for a new vehicle. There are currently some in stock at local Kia shops here in the D.C. area, though you will not find them in the numbers you do with the Sportage, Soul, and Sorento. Nevertheless, one local Kia shop (the same one, nearby, where my brother and I purchased his 2017 Sportage SX), had an entry-level LX version (roughly 35K list) and a top-line SX (roughly 53K list) sitting on the lot. So, I decided to stop by and at least look at them, even though I didn't do a formal test-drive today (I might later on). The Telluride is actually offered in four different versions (LX/S/EX/SX), but the dealership did not have any mid-level S or EX versions in stock.


First off, the Telluride does not seem as large, in person, as it does in images and photos. The images tend to bloat it some and make it look like a full-size SUV, but it is actually a mid-sizer, about the same length as Subaru's new Ascent.....maybe an inch or two wider. Its body-styling, though traditional SUV two-box square, differs from other Kia SUVs, particularly in the front end, where, IMO, it looks more like a Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon without the Tahoe's crossbar. Still, I like the general styling...I'm a firm believer that SUVs should have square-box space-efficiency, and not try to imitate sports-sedans. And I like the fact that all American-market Tellurides come with a standard 3.8L non-turbo V6....none of this four-cylinder turbo stuff that so many other mid-sized and larger vehicles are turning to. I'm a big fan of N/A V6 engines, and actually paid extra to get one in my Lacrosse.


Outside, the paint job (the LX model was painted jet-black) was first-rate, with a virtually mirror-smooth finish devoid of orange-peel...jet black is a notoriously hard color to do smoothly. The white SX model's paint job was just as smooth, though, of course, the white paint lacked the deep luster of the black. I wasn't impressed, however, by the limited choice of what are mostly super-dull colors for any of the versions.....sometimes, on some of their vehicles, color-wise, I think Kia and Hyundai are in the funeral-home business, and should be building hearses. Although the hood shut solidly and had nice gas struts to keep it open (no fumbling with a manual prop-rod), and the rest of the body sheet metal seemed fairly solid, the doors didn't shut with quite the same thunk that other recent Kia products have had. The SX model had noticeably larger wheels and lower-profile tires than the LX. I can understand the handling advantages of the wagon-wheels and sport-oriented tires, but most people don't buy or lease this type of vehicle for canyon-carving handling, and those larger wheels and tires are usually more expensive to replace, and don't provide as much impact-protection from potholes and other road irregularities. Consider me not a fan....I'll take the wheels on the LX.


Inside, though, the reverse is true.....the SX absolutely blows the LX away. The LX (with a black interior, the only available interior color) had a generally cheap look to it inside, and the materials used inside, though decent by plastic-standards and not flimsy by any means, did not seem quite as robust or well-screwed together as on earlier recent Kia products, such as my brother's 2017 Sportage. The SX, costing some 18K more on the sticker-price, had a much nicer two-tone interior, with extensive wood-tone, brushed-metal, and chrome, that at least looks the part. Some of the parts inside weren't actually any more solid than those on the LX (and not all of the parts inside the LX felt flimsy), but the interior of the SX was much more a feast for the eyes. Both had generally comfortable seats (SOFINO leatherette on the LX, full-leather on the SX), and the SX's seats had full-power adjustment, where you pumped a couple of hand-levers up and down to adjust the LX seats. All Tellurides come with a standard third-row seat in back...this is a vehicle designed for not-so-small families.


So.......another (probable) winner from Kia, lately one of the most successful companies in the auto business. My only concern (besides the funeral-home paint choice) is that the Telluride, though basically a nice vehicle and still solid and well-screwed together, does show some subtle signs of cost-cutting inside compared to previous Kia products, even if you have to look and feel closely to see them. Perhaps Kia is simply being forced to adjust to higher costs for labor, materials, and regulations in an ever-changing world.


And, as Always, Happy Car-Shopping.


MM

Toys4RJill

Did you really pay "extra" for a V6 in your LaCrosse? Buick does not offer a turbo I4 alternative?

Remember, car companies want people to buy the upmarket trim. This is something car companies have always done.

As opposed to the new Ford Explorer that comes with a manual hood prop.

KIA is competitive with the rest of the industry.

mmarshall

Not on the Lacrosse.

Yes. If you remember the threads I did on the marketing-problems I encountered when I first ordered my car, just as the 2018 the model-year started, Buick, without any previous announcements, decided to make a four-cylinder-hybrid powertrain, wth a six-speed transmission, standard in the lower-line (Base, Prefered) models, with the previously standard (for 2017) 3.6L V6 optional for $2500. The V6, for 2018, also got the new GM-designed 9-speed transmission instead of the previous Aisin-sourced 8-speed. My order for a 2018 was already in when that change was announced, so my car had to be re-ordered a third time LOL (with the V6). The first time my car was ordered (as a 2017), GM had cut off 2017 production at the Hamtramck plant without telling the dealership, and was re-tooling for 2018, so it had to be re-ordered as a 2018, and then re-ordered again with the V6 and 9-speed when Buick suddenly changed the standard 2018 powertrain. At the same time, though, Buick, however, officially dropped the base price of the 2018 Lacrosse models by some $1500, so, in effect, even with the extra cost of the V6, I didn't pay the full $2500 for it. I did lose out on some 2017 Lacrosse incentives, though, by not buying a slow-selling 2017 off the lot..but I wanted my Lacrosse a certain, specific way, and that was that. Steve was correct that I would pay more for a 2018, but not as much as the several thousand dollars he was figuring.

And you wonder why I complain that this corporation is run by a bunch of bozos. I like their products, but......

SW17LS

Definitely a big difference inside between trims. I saw an LX and was totally underwhelmed, then saw an SX and its really nice.

I just don't care for this vehicle at all...

Toys4RJill

This happens all the time with mainstream brand models.

mmarshall

Well, yes, there is usually more mark-up in higher trim levels and options/packages....that's been the case for decades. But that's not my problem (or that of those I shop with).....one usually has enough problems to deal with as it is when they are vehicle-shopping. They want to sell to us, they sell what we want.

The last Explorer, in 2010, came with a manual prop. I don't know if the new one does or not (I haven't seen one yet, but they are on the way)....I have a full-review scheduled when it is released, and will certainly include that in the write-up.

In that sense, now, yes. Before, I'd say they were better than than industry average in some areas. And their warranty is still WAY better then the industry average.

mmarshall

Not as much as you may think. In general, the higher the trim level, the nicer and more plush the interior, but there are many examples of where that does not happen. I don't want to derail the thread to my Lacrosse again (I've already spent one whole paragraph on it), but one reason (among several) why chose the Preferred trim level was that it gave virtually the same looks and plushness inside as the Avenir, at 10-15K less cost.

Toys4RJill

The Lacrosse is not a mainstream car. Neither is Buick. Look at the mainstream brands such as Toyota, Chevrolet, Or Hyundai and their mainstream cars or SUVs and trucks.

SW17LS

Its to a bigger degree in the Telluride IMHO

With the Highlander for instance, the overall feel between an XLE and a Limited inside isn't all that different.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

speaking of highlander, here's a good comparison of the upcoming 2020 highlander and the telluride...

https://www.motortrend.com/news/refr...ta-highlander/

nysupraman

How would you compare it to the VW Atlas and/or the Subaru Ascent?

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Beats ‘em both here:

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...vs-with-3-rows

mmarshall

I haven't given any of them a long or major test-drive under varying conditions (yet). But I did get to sample an Atlas at the D.C. Auto Show test-drive circuit, and I liked the way it drove, at least around the city streets. I also liked the way the Atlas was styled, and its interior/dash layout. Of the three, it probably appeals to me the most, at least in its looks and styling. The Ascent, of course, has the advantage of a proven AWD system.....Subaru wrote the book on how to do a reliable, inexpensive car-based AWD. But I'm not sure I'd trust the reliability of a VW product, especially compared to something from Kia or Subaru. VW is notorious for crappy electronics and hardware...and you're also giving your money to a company that, not only with the diesel-emission scandal, but in other areas as well, has a history of dishonesty and harsh management.

nysupraman

Just asking because we happened to cross shop plenty of three row SUV's before the Kia was even introduced and almost took home the Ascent, but last minute I put away our preconceived notions about VW's quality and reliability and test drove an Atlas. The rest is history as we took her home the same day, only have 8000 or so miles on it so far and I can't fault it for anything. I honestly can say, after just coming back from a road trip that I don't think any other three row SUV has more third row room and leftover trunk space besides stepping into a minivan. Also happen to agree with you, the Telluride looks much smaller in person.

mmarshall

Congratulations. Like I said, even given the company's history, the Atlas also appealed to me the most out of the three. It is styled sensibly, is space-efficient, has easy-to-decipher controls/gauges, and is comfortable and refined.