Premium Midsize Three-Row SUV
Every year a rookie phenom comes along who throws 100+ mph, capturing the baseball world’s attention. Is he a flash in the pan or the real deal that can repeat year after year? Will we ever hear his name again when the next best thing comes along? Replace “rookie phenom†with “Kia Telluride†and the answers are yes and yes. The Telluride is the real deal, and the Telluride name will be around for a long, long time.
Kia debuted the Telluride in 2020 to nearly unanimous reviews of praise for its design, features and value. One year later, the 2021 Kia Telluride lives up to the accolades and is one of the best midsize, three-row crossover SUVs we have driven.
Drivetrain
Clean Fleet Report drove the 2021 Kia Telluride SX AWD with the 3.8-liter V6 that put out 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic, with manual mode, that drives either the front wheels or the optional on-demand all-wheel drive system. This engine and transmission combination are the only ones available on all four Telluride trim levels of LX, EX, S and SX.
The EPA rates the fuel economy at 19 mpg city/24 highway/21 combined. In 309 miles of mostly freeway driving throughout Southern California we averaged 24.5 mpg, but did a bit better on a 210-mile freeway run with the smart cruise control set at 65 mph, achieving 28.1 mpg.
To aid in fuel economy the Telluride has the “Stop & Go†feature where the engine shuts off, and restarts automatically when coming to a stop. If Kia wants to be the fuel economy leader in this segment (currently held by the Toyota Highlander Hybrid) they should drop-in the hybrid system from the all-new 2021 Sorento. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.
Driving Experience: On the Road
Our 2021 Kia Telluride AWD handled well, with its 4,482 pounds suited to its length, width and height. Maneuvering was easy thanks to theMichelin Primacy Tour 245/50 all-season tires on 20-inch black finish aluminum-alloy wheels. There was little body roll when pushed on corners, which was helped by the independent front and rear suspension with stabilizer bars and active torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. At freeway speeds road imperfections were absorbed without any jolts, delivering an overall comfortable ride. The Telluride has a tow rating of 5,000 pounds, which is made easier with the optional Towing Package that includes a hitch and self-leveling rear suspension.
To get the most performance from the engine there are driver selectable choices of Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport and Snow. Eco will be used on long stretches of road to squeeze-out every last drop of fuel, with Sport holding the transmission in each rev band a bit longer, sending more available torque to the wheels. Using the Sport mode we had 0-60 times of 7.4 seconds, which was a respectable time, and plenty fast for entering freeways and passing big rigs. Engine noise was minimal with a nice throaty sound when tromping on the right pedal.
Not encountering snow during our week in the Telluride does not diminish our confidence that it, when locking the AWD center coupling and selecting the Snow setting, would not let you down when the roads get sloppy. We were glad to find no paddle shifters as, for the most part, they are unnecessary on most of the cars we drive.
Stops were solid and consistent with a power-assisted braking system consisting of vented front and solid rear discs as part of the anti-lock brake system.
Exterior Styling: Designed for America
All-new in 2020, the 2021 Telluride carries-over its eye-catching looks, which Kia says was “Designed in America for America.†So take that World! They must be on to something as the long hood fronted by a wide grille, framed by stacked LED headlamps and fog lights, has been a sales success. The Telluride is big, but not so big as to look massive, with the Everlasting Silver exterior paint on our tester softening its boxy build. The rear features a hands-free power lift gate with an integrated spoiler, twin chrome-tipped exhaust ports in the outer lower fascia, and the letters T-E-L-L-U-R-I-D-E spread-out between the LED tail lights.
Interior Peace
Thanks to sound deadening material placed between the cabin and engine, acoustic glass on the windshield and side windows, and the optional carpeted floor mats, the cabin in the 2021 Telluride was possibly the quietest three-row crossover SUV we have tested. This solitude made for great listening to the optional Harmon Kardon surround-sound audio system, which was easy to use as it met Clean Fleet Report’s minimum requirement for a driver-friendly system with knobs for the channel and volume functions. This powerful and great sounding audio system came with an external amplifier, subwoofer and 10 speakers. Our Telluride SX came with a 10.5-inch color touchscreen with navigation and a multi-view camera. Sounds came from the AM/FM radio, (three-month introductory subscription) SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The listening suite was completed with Bluetooth streaming audio and USB ports. The voice recognition for hands-free telephone dialing worked perfectly.
The UVO telematics allows for remote setting of the climate control, locking and unlocking the doors, Find My Car and other convenience features. The large head-up display is one the best features, adding to driver safety by allowing the driver to keep their eyes on the road while vital information, such as speed and turn-by-turn navigation, is projected onto the windshield.
The Telluride, as Kia’s largest SUV, can seat up-to eight if ordered with the second-row bench seat. Clean Fleet Report drove the Telluride SX which had second-row captain’s chairs that were heated and ventilated. The black Nappa leather front seats were heated and ventilated with the driver having 10-way power adjustments, including lumbar, seat extensions, thigh support and two-setting memory. Combining the multiple seat adjustments with the manual tilt and telescoping steering column, the driver has no problem finding a comfortable driving position. That comfort extended to driving long distances and feeling no effects of fatigue.
The boxy design of the Telluride made for excellent second-row rear leg and head room, even with the optional fixed-glass rear moonroof and ceiling-mounted air vents and reading lamps. The second row seats slide forward far enough to allow a reasonable amount of space to access the third-row bench seat. Once in the third row, again due to the Telluride’s boxy design, there is good leg and head room, even for a six-footer. However, it is best to reserve the third row for the smaller in stature and everyone will be happy passengers. The third-row seat reclines, and passengers get ceiling air vents and USB ports.
Storage space totals 21.0, 46.0 and 178.1 cubic feet, respectively, behind the third row, second row and then with both rows folded flat. All are generous for a three-row midsize SUV, and Kia includes a security storage area in the rear floor.
Clean Fleet Report’s 2021 Kia Telluride SX came with the optional Prestige Package that included a premium cloth headliner, the head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The interior has a level of class with function being top of mind. Soft-touch materials, found on the dash, door panels and center armrest, are complimented by attractive (and believable) faux wood inserts and brushed aluminum trim. The gauges have a simple layout, starting with the deep-set analog tachometer and speedometer that are easy to read with white lettering on a black background. The heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel has audio, telephone and cruise controls.
Adding to the interior comfort and convenience was a front power tilt and sliding sunroof, wireless charging, a leather-wrapped shift knob, push button start, tri-zone automatic climate control, power windows with one-touch up/down, power door locks, power heated outside mirrors with turn indicators, carpeted floor mats, auto dimming rearview mirror with compass and Homelink, multiple beverage holders, 12-volt accessory outlets and 110V power inverter.
Safety and Convenience
The 2021 Kia Telluride comes with front, seat-mounted, driver knee and full side curtain air bags, and the Drive Wise advanced driver assist system (ADAS). Safety features included forward collision warning and avoidance, lane departure and driver attention warning, lane keep assist, blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross traffic collision and parking distance warning, and pedestrian forward collision avoidance.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2021 Telluride five stars, its highest overall safety rating.
Pricing and Warranties
The 2021 Kia Telluride comes in four trim levels of LX, S, EX, SX, each in front or all-wheel drive. Base prices, before options but including the $1,225 destination charge, range from from $33,415 to $45,615. Clean Fleet Report’s 2021 Telluride SX AWD had an MSRP, with $3,460 in options and the $1,225 destination charge, of $48,775.
The 2021 Telluride comes with these warranties.
Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles
Basic – Five years/60,000 miles
Roadside – Five years/60,000 miles
Observations: 2021 Kia Telluride SX AWD
The 2021 Kia Telluride has some heady competition with three-row SUVs in the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, Volkswagen Atlas, Toyota Highlander and the Hyundai Palisade (with the Explorer and Highlander offering hybrid versions with better fuel economy). All fine vehicles. Which means the Telluride has to rise to the occasion to be at the top of that list.
Owner comments of their 2021 Telluride include “best car I have ever owned,†“I look forward to getting behind the wheel every day,†“It’s like a dessert…something to be enjoyed,†and “Wow, what a great vehicle!†Clean Fleet Report found the clean, contemporary styling, a class-up, comfortable interior with convenient and desirable seating and storage flexibility, a smooth ride, and having the choice of front-wheel and all-wheel drive, means anyone looking for a midsize SUV will find something to fit their needs. These attributes, and many others, make the Telluride one of the best three-row SUVs we have driven. Visit your Kia dealer and see for yourself.
Our only wish is that the Telluride would get better fuel economy, which Kia can solve by putting its proven hybrid system under the hood.
Kia just launched the all-new 2021 Sorento Hybrid, also a three-row crossover SUV, but a bit smaller than the Telluride, which Clean Fleet Report will be reviewing soon. We had a preliminary taste here and here. So as not to miss any news and vehicle reviews, make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter located at the top right of the page.
Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner.
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
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