INDIANAPOLIS — Last week, I drove a very nice three-row crossover with a century-old badge on the grille. It was quite lush with soft leather seats, twin-panel sunroof, captain's chairs in the rear, and an audio system to rival God's cherubs. It could tow a fairly heavy trailer too. While that one was nearly $70,000, Kia proves it can offer a luxury cape with an economy label.
The Telluride's wrap looks pretty sassy in Nightfall trim that includes black grille, window surrounds, badging, and 20-inch wheels. The contrast between the black and white metallic paint on our vehicle lend a cool urban vibe. Lending gravitas are windowlines that simultaneously hint at center-opening coach doors on Rolls-Royces and rear upturn that echoes BMW. From the wide hood to the L-shaped taillamps, the overall feel is of a British Range Rover or Jaguar. It's a student of the world that wears its fashion well.
Interiors continue to whisper in British with planks of realistic open pore woodgrain, sueded headliner, piano finish on the console, and flush satin silver buttons across the dash. Swipe the touchscreen to control audio, navigation, and phone while settled into soft heated/ventilated leather seats and gripping the heated steering wheel. Middle row passengers enjoy heated/ventilated captain's chairs, too. The Harman Kardon audio system saturates with sound and connects devices via Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging.
Actual adults can ride on the rearmost bench since middle row seats slide fore and aft to balance legroom. Clever USB charging ports are placed in the sides of the front seats. Safety systems match luxury automakers with forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot dash cameras, and rear cross path detection. Kia's Safe Exit Assist uses the blind spot camera to keep passengers from stepping into fast traffic. Adaptive cruise and head-up display aid drivers on trips.
The Kia and its flashy luxury counterpart are evenly matched beneath the skin. Very similar in size and performance, the Telluride harbors a 3.8-liter V6 delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. That's routed to the all-wheel-drive system through an eight-speed automatic transmission with only one cog shy of the luxury wagon's. Fuel economy is also a near even match at 19/24-MPG city/highway. Tow up to 5,000 lbs. of camper, boat, or off-road machines.
The chassis is a little less sophisticated, but you'll barely miss the luxury make's suspension with real-time damping adjustments. The Telluride rides on a four-wheel-independent suspension that soaks up bumps and provides a smooth highway ride without the electronic genies. A self-leveling rear suspension rises up when loaded with luggage, passengers, or trailer. I suspect nobody will complain about how it behaves driving alone or loaded with whomever they consider family.
You could buy an expensive luxury crossover, but I'm not sure I would. For about $20k less than the pure luxury rides, you'll give up virtually nothing with the Kia Telluride – especially in SX Nightfall trim. Think of it as the Target couture alternative to Neiman Marcus chic. A base price of $33,090, or $51,010 as-tested, puts the Telluride against the Buick Enclave, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and similar Hyundai Palisade.
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2022 Kia Telluride SX Nightfall
Six-passenger, AWD Crossover
Powertrain: 3.8-liter V6, 8-spd trans
Output: 291hp/262 lb.-ft. torque
Suspension f/r: Ind/Ind
Wheels f/r: 20”/20” alloy
Brakes f/r: disc/disc
Must-have features: Style, Safety
Towing: 5,000 lbs.
Fuel economy: 19/24 mpg city/hwy
Assembly: West Point, GA
Base/As-tested price: $33,090/$51,010
