Behind the Wheel: 2024 Kia Telluride X-Pro
The 2024 Kia Telluride is undoubtedly one of the best SUV’s on the market right now, and for good reason! It looks great, drives smooth with its V-6 engine, and offers an upscale, luxurious interior. Especially in the SX trim. Practical and reliable, the Kia Telluride is perfect for families thanks to its roomy three-row setup. If you’re the adventurous type, it’s also a solid pick— as it can tow up to 5500 pounds and has an X-Pro version with additional features for some serious off-road fun. We wish it was a bit more exciting to drive, but it does offer a super smooth and quiet ride, making those long road trips to visit the grandparents a lot less tiring. Honestly, if you’re shopping around for a mid-size SUV, the Telluride is just a standout choice. Plain and simple.
The 2024 Kia Telluride packs a V-6 engine under its hood, cranking out 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It’s hooked up to an eight-speed automatic that sends power to the front wheels, but you can opt for all-wheel drive on any model. Road tests show a 0-60 time in around 6.8 seconds. Decent, but at lower speeds, it doesn’t snap to attention as quickly as some turbocharged competitors. The ride leans towards the firm side; where rough roads can sometimes knock it off its smooth path. There’s an option for a self-leveling rear air suspension if you want to spend a little extra and smooth things out. The brakes are top-notch, steering feels solid and gives you good feedback. Plus, it sits up to 8.4 inches off the ground, which is great for off-roading.
No matter what you think of the Telluride’s bold exterior, the inside is pretty darn swanky, especially in the higher trims. It’s built solidly, the materials look great, and it’s loaded with safety and tech features. The SX trim is undeniably the cream of the crop, offering things like memory settings, a heads-up display, heated and ventilated seats in the back, a fancy headliner, and soft Nappa leather upholstery. The Telluride is a bit longer than the seven-passenger Kia Sorento, so there’s a ton of room inside, especially in the third row. You can fit eight people with a second-row bench seat, or seven with the optional captain’s chairs. There’s plenty of storage space throughout the interior, too. Which is incredibly handy for any large family. With the third row occupied, you better invest in a roof-rack for luggage, but with the back rows folded down, you’ll be shocked how much you can pack in.
The list of what’s new for 2024 is short. A couple minor exterior changes would take a trained eye to clock. The X-Line and X-Pro model get glossy black exterior trim instead of last years dark metallic. Which is an improvement in our opinion. Minor changes or not, the 2024 Kia Telluride remains a top option in the crowded SUV market. As a much cooler alternative to the stigmatized minivan, the Telluride looks good, feels good, offers you space, comfort, tech and reliability. A premium product at a perfectly approachable price. What’s not to love!
Price for SX Prestige X-Pro model: $54,780.00
