Critics Consensus
A competent family hauler wrapped in luxury-car styling—the Telluride delivers spacious comfort and impressive design at a competitive price, but sacrifices driving engagement and fuel economy for those prioritizing practicality over performance.
4 Reviews
The 2024 Kia Telluride X-Pro earned a strong 83/100 OctaneScore, with Auto Buyers Guide highlighting its design and performance as standout strengths—particularly the gloss black trim, all-terrain Continental tires, and 4 inches of additional ground clearance from its off-road tuned suspension. The cabin tech is solid with dual 12.3-inch displays and standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, though the reviewer noted Apple CarPlay remains wired rather than wireless despite the $55,000-$60,000 price point. The main caveat is fuel economy, which comes in at just 20-21 MPG combined—a notable weakness for those prioritizing efficiency. The Telluride X-Pro is best suited for buyers seeking a luxurious three-row SUV with off-road capability and premium interior quality who can overlook modest fuel consumption.
▶ Watch Review ↗The 2024 Kia Telluride earns a solid 70/100 OctaneScore, driven by excellent execution in livability, performance, and driving technology—the base model comes standard with blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and autonomous emergency braking, while the front seats offer four-way adjustable lumbar support and the third row provides more headroom than the Grand Highlander. The cabin tech shines with a 12-inch touchscreen, USB-C charging throughout, and an electric moonroof shade, while the 3.8L V6 delivers strong low-RPM torque and a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission. However, fuel economy is a significant weak point at 20-22 MPG combined, earning a C-minus rating and lagging hybrid competitors, plus some interior materials like the shiny black plastics around storage areas are prone to scratching. The Telluride is ideal for buyers prioritizing three-row comfort, safety features, and practicality over fuel efficiency, especially those seeking premium features at a competitive $37,325 starting price.
▶ Watch Review ↗Redline Reviews gives the 2023 Telluride SX-Prestige X-Pro a strongly positive 83/100 rating, praising its excellent design, driving technology, and performance—particularly the 3.8L V6 engine with 291 hp, the 360-degree camera system comparable to European vehicles, and the bold refreshed front end with its new tiger nose grille. The vehicle shines in livability with over 21 cubic feet of trunk space expanding to 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded, and boasts impressive build quality with solid door closures and metal-accented window controls. However, fuel economy is a clear weakness at just 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (lower on the X-Pro), making this three-row SUV less efficient than some competitors. The Telluride is best suited for families prioritizing spacious seating, towing capacity (5,500 lbs on X-Pro), and head-turning styling over fuel savings.
▶ Watch Review ↗SavageGeese gives the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Pro a mixed 43/100 score, acknowledging it remains one of the better three-row options in its class despite significant reservations. The Telluride excels in design with refreshed styling that looks like a seventy-thousand-dollar luxury vehicle, while the X-Pro trim adds practical off-road features including a slight lift kit and all-terrain tires. However, the vehicle suffers from poor driving dynamics with a lifeless naturally aspirated V6 engine, non-existent body rigidity, and slow steering that makes it feel cumbersome like a minivan—issues SavageGeese attributes to Kia's lack of investment in chassis development and refinement. The Telluride suits buyers prioritizing spacious, comfortable three-row interiors and design appeal over engaging driving dynamics or fuel efficiency.
▶ Watch Review ↗