2020 Kia Telluride review
Kia Telluride highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Near-luxury quality at a mainstream price
- Plenty of passenger space in all three rows
Cons
- Only one powertrain option
- Overall use of space is good, but there isn't much storage for small items
Mileage (EPA estimate)
19 city, 24 highway, 21 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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Kia's biggest SUV debuts with a splash
Sitting above the Sorento in Kia's lineup, the Telluride is an all-new three-row midsize SUV for 2020. With a stylish exterior, an interior with a near-luxury finish, and plenty of passenger space, the Telluride can comfortably accommodate as many as eight in its three rows of seats, and even adults can use the third row. And when it's fully loaded with passengers, the Telluride still offers an accommodating trunk. All Tellurides are powered by a 291-hp 3.8-liter V6 driving the front wheels, with all-wheel drive offered as an option.
Kia's reputation for value is evident here—the Telluride is well equipped and competitively priced against rivals including the Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Hyundai Palisade. Its 100,000-mile, 10-year powertrain warranty is a standout in the industry, and the Kia also impresses with its level of standard equipment. Four trim levels—LX, S, EX, and SX—are available. The entry-level LX covers most everything you'd want, with parking sensors, selectable driving modes, five USB ports, an 8-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone integration among its extensive standard equipment. The S gains two captain's chairs in the second row, reducing seating capacity to seven, and adds bigger 20-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. The EX and SX up the equipment to luxury-car levels, adding plenty of comfort- and convenience-enhancing features. The Telluride makes an appealing SUV choice if you want space, comfort, and quality.
All Kia Telluride years
2020 Kia Telluride trims
LX:
- 291-hp, 262-lb-ft of torque 3.8L
- Rear Air Conditioning
- Rear Defroster
- Automated Cruise Control
- Third Row Seat
- Fold-Away Third Row
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Side Airbags
S:
- Includes all features available on the LX
- Sunroofs
- Front Seat Heaters
- Power Seats
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- View our Kia Telluride S inventory
EX:
- Includes all features available on the S
- Leather Seats
- A/C Seats
- Rear Sunshade
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Navigation System
- View our Kia Telluride EX inventory
SX:
- Includes all features available on the EX
- Memory Seats
- Quad Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Skylights
- Harman Kardon Sound
- Rear A/C Seats
- CD Audio
- View our Kia Telluride SX inventory
Kia Telluride photos
5 reasons to buy the 2020 Kia Telluride
1. Space for eight people
Not all three-row SUVs are created equal. Even with seating for eight, some three-row SUVs can be a little cramped in the back. But that's not the case in the Telluride. The 2020 Kia Telluride fits eight adults comfortably—no need to be a gymnast or a child to get into the third row. Just flip and fold the second-row seats for easy access to the back. And since the seating position in the third row is stadium-style, passengers can see over the first two rows. Plus, the low floor ensures their knees won't be right under their chin.
2. One engine with many drive options
The 2020 Kia Telluride only has one engine option—a 291-hp V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission—but you can shop for a model with front- or all-wheel drive. Front-wheel-drive models have four drive modes (Smart, Eco, Sport, and Comfort) as standard, while AWD models add Snow and AWD Lock modes for more adventurous travels. Whether you're in the school drop-off lane or headed to your favorite mountain retreat, the Telluride's powertrain can help get you there.
3. Rugged AWD capability
The sturdy and boxy styling of the 2020 Kia Telluride is backed by a robust all-wheel-drive system capable of taking you on your next adventure. With four-wheel independent suspension, optional self-leveling rear suspension, and an AWD-lock feature, the Telluride can distribute power to all four wheels. It also ensures you can ride comfortably wherever the road (or lack thereof) takes you.
4. Technology for all
The 2020 Kia Telluride has all the driver-assistance tech you'd expect in a premium vehicle. Features like blind spot warning and collision avoidance are standard, and the Telluride also packs some exciting features for anyone who regularly travels with kids. For parents and guardians with children in child safety seats, the 2020 Kia Telluride has a rear occupant alert with ultrasonic sensors, reminding you to check the back seat for sleeping children. If the kids are asleep in the back, you can engage quiet mode on the audio system to disable the rear speakers.
5. Luxurious appointments
The 2020 Kia Telluride has a range of luxurious options, including double-stitched, quilted, and extra-padded Nappa leather upholstery, optional heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, tri-zone climate control, an optional heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, reclining third-row seats, and much more. In the 2020 Kia Telluride, you and all your passengers can be blanketed in luxury.
2020 Kia Telluride video review
In this video, our experts review Kia's award-winning SUV, the Kia Telluride. The midsize SUV market had been dominated by the Honda Pilot and the Ford Explorer for years, but the Telluride burst on the scene in 2019 and has become one of the most popular SUVs on the road. From its luxury-like interior and family-friendly third row to its bold exterior styling, the Telluride checks just about every box of what you want from a midsize SUV.
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Kia Telluride an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Kia Telluride 2nd out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Kia TellurideKia Telluride features and specs
S 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Fold-Away Third Row
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leatherette Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Air Conditioning
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
- Third Row Seat
- Traction Control
- Full Roof Rack
- Quad Seats
- Running Boards
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
3.8L
Horsepower
291
Torque (ft-lbs)
262
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
18.8
Wheelbase
114.2"
Overall length
196.9"
Width
78.3"
Height
69.3"
Leg room
F 41.4"/M 42.4"/R 31.4"
Head room
F 39.5"/M 40.2"/R 38.1"
Front tires
P245/50TR20
Rear tires
P245/50TR20
Seating capacity
7
Max towing capacity
500/5000 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2020 Kia Telluride FAQ
The 2020 Kia Telluride is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- S: 20 MPG City and 26 MPG Highway
- LX: 20 MPG City and 26 MPG Highway
- EX: 20 MPG City and 26 MPG Highway
- SX: 20 MPG City and 26 MPG Highway
The Kia Telluride received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks the Kia Telluride as 1 out of 32 among Midsize SUV
The 2020 Kia Telluride has received an average 4.9 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2020 Kia Telluride, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2020 Kia Telluride Reviews.
The 2020 Kia Telluride has a maximum towing capacity of 5000 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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