The combination of design, practicality, and price that Kia has achieved with the Telluride is remarkable. I also love that Kia and Hyundai are putting Android Auto/Apple CarPlay into their base models.
@@baltvdb Are you saying that the power train is only 7 year / 100K miles while the bumper to bumper is still 5 years / 60K miles? Or were you saying the bumper to bumper was expanded to 7 year / 100K miles? I'd assume the former, but let me know. Thanks.
I just leased the Kia Telluride EX. I previously had a GMC Acadia Denali. I originally wanted the SX Tellluride but the dealers were getting over asking price and I wasn't going to play that game. Also, I wanted a bench in the 2nd row, and the SX didn't offer it. I absolutely love the Telluride so far, the interior quality the roominess, the way it drives. I live in Manhattan and people stop me and ask how it is if I like it.
Just wanted to say this has been the best review I've watched so far for the telluride. I really appreciated the breakdown of the different trim levels. Other reviews aren't as clear in this regard and are often reviewing the highest level of trim, which isn't necessarily applicable to most viewers.
I love the telluride. It’s become my top pick for any three row suv. I’d easily take it over a traverse, atlas, or a CX9. And to some extent, the Acura MDX.
Great review as always, Alex. Special kudos for focusing on the interior packaging "efficiency" of the Telluride. As you note, it's in the middle of the pack in terms of overall length of a larger 3 row crossover while offering an extraordinary amount of passenger and cargo room. The most obvious competition for the Telluride is the Palisade. Not just a corporate cousins, they're more like fraternal twins. The Palisade is dressed in a three piece suit and the Telluride in a plaid shirt and (well pressed) blue jeans. It's worth considering why this is so. Both the Telluride and Palisade were initially designed in Hyundai's and KIA's design studios in California but the Telluride has been designed for and is produced in North America (West Point, GA). It is not even offered in Asian markets including Korea. The Palisade, on the other hand, is built in Korea and designed to be sold in international markets, especially in Asia. "Ruggedness" has great appeal in North America. Much less so in countries where a relatively affluent middle class is a recent phenomenon and "luxuriousness" trumps "rugged." If you or your parents grew up in poverty and you've made it to the middle class, you may well have had all the ruggedness you care to experience. It's no accident that the Telluride most closely resembles the Land (and Range) Rover models, vehicles with a long pedigree of "ruggedness" (plus luxury) while the Palisade more closely resembles European pure luxury vehicles from BMW, MB, and Audi. By the way, Alex, your various top picks for the category suggest you might have a real future in politics. :)
It seems Kia has also been smushing their engines in the engine bay to allow more space in the passenger area at the expensive of making the vehicles harder and more costly to maintain and fix. If you are keeping vehicles a short time it might not matter. But that inside space has to come from somewhere.
While having the oil changed in my Optima, I walked into the showroom and sat in the Telluride. I was immediately surprised how comfortable and luxurious the interior is. The ergonomics was spot on. And the roominess was awesome. But...what REALLY surprised me was it was the base model!! I realized this when I saw the sticker in the window. It was $31,890!!! The fake leather was nicer than some cars' real leather. I could be satisfied with the base.
I love that you can't quite decide on Telluride vs Palisade. Both great options. We picked up our Palisade Limited on Wednesday. Your Palisade "first drive" review cemented it for us. Ours was the first Palisade off the lot at Gateway Hyundai in Fargo ND! :)
I would have preferred a stick, but the extra space above and below is nice. The big negative is having to look at the buttons to change from reverse to drive or the other way around.
Both vehicles are nice but I would've bought the Telluride just so I didn't have to deal with Gateway. The Kia guys down the road are 1000x better to deal with!
I bought an S model Telluride 2 weeks ago, we ordered it 8 months ago, so it was a very long wait, but we are pleased with it, ours is Dark Moss w/ ivory and black interior and the machine finish 20 inch wheels look far better than the upscale black ones to my sense of taste, overall we are happy that we waited!
I bought the Sorento SXL over the Highlander XLE this past year based on your recommendation (video and twitter response) and I couldn't be happier--we love it. BUT DAMN, I wish I had paid attention and knew the Telluride was coming! BTW, for anyone comparing the Hyundai to the Kia...take the Kia...quality is much better...I know, I know, Hyundai owns 33% or more of Kia but Kia's quality is better, no question (after having two Hyundai's previously).
Thank you for that quality comparison based on owning both brands, exactly the type of meaningful info when comparing Telluride vs Palisade. Do you have specific quality points or corresponding parts to note between the two brands?
I would agree with that assessment regarding quality, at least for the "touchy-feely" points around the interior. Every market is different but in Canada at least, the interiors of most Kia Vehicles are a definite cut above their Hyundai siblings, in spite of sharing powertrains.
@@dchen1763 Sorry, missed this. After owning both a Hyundai Entourage and a 2013 Santa Fe XL (Canada), we found that we couldn't wait to get rid of those vehicles after 2 or 3 years--they just seemed to deteriorate in quality and durability. On the other hand, my 2012 Kia Optima is rock solid, zero issues. The 2019 Sorento SXL we bought in August 2018 was and is, fantastic. The quality across the board just seems so much better than what we've experienced with the two previous Hyundai's that we've owned. Kia seems to own quality vs Hyundai. That's an unscientific conclusion but I would not spend any more money on Hyundai's.
@@b4804514 Reliability? LOL no sorry Hyundai/Kia reliability is a joke. As Hyundai/Kia owners can tell you, their warranty is useless. Their Theta II engines were blowing up left and right. It was an epidemic and it still occurs way too often today. Despite being an obvious issue with poor manufacturing quality, Hyundai/Kia denied thousands and thousands of owners warranty coverage. Total garbage reliability. They don't stand behind their vehicles like they claim.
@@hochhaul Have you owned 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 of them? Just talking out of your ass I guess as they are top of the JD Powers list or wait you don't read -just Fox TV fake news
We bought a Sportage this year, loving it! We live in Europe so that’s plenty big for the standards here. The Sportage drives like a dream, very quiet, stays super flat on the road while being very comfortable, and feels built just as solid as the VW Tiguan that we test drove as well - we picked the Kia over it for the value and great warranty, and they felt identical! Kia has gone a looong way!
I’ve been such a fan for a long time. You are hands down the best in the business Alex. You helped me pick my last vehicle which won car of the year the 2015 VW Golf GTI. Now I’m looking for a new three-row crossover and I’m so torn between the new Explorer and the new Telluride. I know one is more expensive than the other as well as more sportier, but I love both bro. Any thoughts on who you’d pick? Personally I care about handling, ride quality/comfort, and cabin noise. 👌🏼
I think I’ve seen more new Tellurides than 2019 Pilots and Ascents. This has been incredibly popular so far. I’ve even seen them as much as the new RAV4
We have Telluride EX. Everything is great besides the cheap ass Scorpion Verde 60 series tires they put on it. And the terrible yellow halogen bulb headlights, they are the worst! I am going to make a review on this soon. My Honda Accord's headlights are about 50 times brighter. The Telluride EX model with the scorpion verde tires handles very poorly, it can't hold a straight line on freeway without exhausting yourself. The active lane keep assist feature makes it 10 times worse. KIA is afraid to contact me, But they will when I make my review and get 50k hits. Don't test a SX model.. Test a LX or EX model with shitty tires for a week. You'll hate this SUV. Even my wife notices it and she never complains.
@@MarkTodd33 Factory tires never last long anyways (soft rubber) or sell them before putting any miles on them and get what you want. Halogen lights are easy to replace on amazon for LEDs. Install takes 10 minutes. Not as good as factory LEDs but a massive improvement, especially if you have projector assemblies.
Great review Alex! Maybe the Telluride isn't the prettiest option in the world, but I like how well it stacks up against the Traverse, Tahoe, etc, especially for the price. I imagine this model is going to pave the way for a true 3-row luxury SUV from Genesis in the future. Oh and as far as a rear-seat infotainment system... my suspicion is that and iPad is the only rear-seat infortainment system that most people want hehe!
@@hochhaul Maybe trolling is fun for you, but everyone here knows that you're just talking out of your ass. Maybe you prefer Honda. They're only 10 spots behind Kia regarding reliability.
I've owned nothing but Honda vehicles for the last 25 years and I LOVE the Telluride and Palisade for their overall looks and value for the money. I think that I'm jumping ship this fall when inventory catches up with demand. Great job Hyundai and Kia!
I'm one of the thousands of consumers who never even stopped at a KIA dealer until 2012 when I purchased a top trim KIA Sorento. After considering literally every other midsize crossover I concluded that the thousands of $$$ compared to its rivals merited taking a chance. When I traded it last year for a new crossover (again seriously shopping the competition) I went for the Sorento again. (First time in 40 years of car purchases that I replaced a vehicle with a newer version of the same model.) Again, I saved several thousand dollars compared to its competition and the dealer gave me within $800 of the estimated trade-in value of a comparable 2012 Highlander. On balance I made out like a bandit, saving about $6K-$7K over a comparable purchases of any other mainstream three row crossover.
@@stephenhendricks103 I think what you did was the smart financial move and probably saved many thousands over those who have never owned nor will ever own a Hyundai/Kia product. Like high end Sony electronics from 15-20 years ago to now the market being controlled by Korean makes like Samsung and LG, the auto industry is slowly changing as well. My extended family has had many Hyundai vehicles over the last 15 years and they have had very good success with them. If you drive them for a while, the resale value really isn't a concern. Any issues with reliability is covered by the very generous warranty.
Great video review, as always. Full disclosure; I am a KIA/Hyundai loyal customer and have owned quite a few models of each manufacturer. I also sent KIA, quite a few years ago, documents with design/market analysis on what the production model could benefit from. I had been following the development of the Telluride since it was first mentioned quite a few years back. I was so excited to see that KIA was finally targeting larger SUVs in the very profitable USA market. Having owned a 2011 Sportage EX and a Sorento SX V6 I could definitely see the need for a larger and more rugged SUV. The production design turned out pretty good, especially the interiors. It has a lot going for it and it offers a more a cohesive design language than many upscale manufacturers/brands. Where I think KIA has made a mistake is in assuming that people purchasing these vehicles care much about fuel economy. People really don't. The compromise made by the use of the marginally appropriate V6 is, in my opinion, not worth it and a missed opportunity to snatch the more adventurous demographic that expect a more powerful engine. Also disappointing is the use of the modified front-drive Sorento platform - I was hoping they used the K900 rear-drive platform instead, along with the engines offered on that car. Again, people buying these SUVs are not really concerned about fuel economy, that is a hypocritical and naive assumption - an extra 2/5 mpg is such a ridiculous margin that defeats the purpose of the potential performance sacrificed for looking "good" on mpg numbers. If it was more like 10 mpg over the competition, then it could be worth the sacrifice. I currently own a 2009 KIA Borrego, 4WD-V8 and even though I have had my fair share of mechanical issues, all of which have been resolved fairly easy and cheap. It is a fantastic truck; it feels like a truck for sure, the V8 is fairly powerful, the 4WD system, which I have actually used for off-roading, is fantastic and fuel economy is on the borderline-horrid spectrum. This model is still being sold worldwide as the Mohave and has gone through quite a few updates, mostly front/rear face lifts, but the design of the box itself hasn't changed much, and people throughout the world really use it for off-roading, unlike 99.9% of the USA market SUV owners, which will mostly roam comfy freeways and Whole Foods parking lots. The SUVs in the USA have become glorified minivans. The only real off-roaders are very few. All in all, I think the Telluride is a pretty good bargain for what it offers, and a pretty one at that. Sill, I'll hold off until gen 2 and see what changes are implemented. I'm hoping, of course, for a stronger engine and (for the love of whichever deity your worship) more exiting colours other than the blassé ones currently offered. Although the Lincoln Aviator is looking like the more attractive option by the minute... hmmm... Keep up the good work, Alex!
@@carlsoon6533 -- the engine and platform are great BUT the design is so ugly that I can't get myself to invest in one and have to look at it every day. 😉
@@mikixu98 -- it all depends on which design style you like best. Both have really good exterior and interior design. I wish the Telluride had some of the Palisade's interior options. Personally, I'd pick the Telluride. 😊
Hi Alex, I always find your automobile review videos so much informative and useful than any of the others on youtube, so I really want to thank you for doing such reviews and posting them; and want to request you to keep doing the same, because certainly your automobile review videos have been helping the potential buyers like me to find out the most of the features / technical info on various Makes and Models of vehicles available in the North American market...!!!
I just bought one last week. I love it. I bought the EX model for 2000 over MRSP. My dealership only had 5 in stock and before we left all the models they had was gone including the base model. People was showing up to look and buy but they were all gone. They cant keep them on the lot.
I test drove the 2020 Buick Enclave, the Sorrento, an Acadia, an Acadia Denali, and finally the Palisade, and then I wanted to test drive the Telluride... there were none in my area. I drove down to Melbourne (only two in stock) and I knew right away that I found my "wow" vehicle I was looking for. Test drove that baby and that sealed the deal. To me, it blows away the Land Rover, Cadillac and Mercedes SUV's that my neighbor's own, esp at that price. And yes, I had to pay $4995 over MSRP to purchase the S model. I paid $32000 cash for it and turned in my poorly running 2012 Buick Regal that went into serious decline in the past 6 months. I think I drove away with a great bargain. Wait until they find out the Regal's trunk leaks and the other issues I was having with it! Oh well! ~I agree, the center console in the Palisade is way too basic and unattractive. The Telluride is just totally awesome, inside and out!
@@LifeISMagix like I said, they wanted $38000 for the S with tow pkg, etc + the $5000= 43000. I paid 32 and traded in my shitty car. I feel like I made out like a bandit!
The best looking mainstream SUV in the market imo... Can't go wrong with the ride, quality, design, technology, safety, warranty and VALUE. I can see why you have to wait months to buy one (tho i'm leaning towards the Genesis GV80 after i trade in my Mazda CX-5)
Great review. After doing tons of comparisons (there are over 15 suvs in this category in US), I am finally down to the 3 im impressed with the most. Telluride, CX9, and Explorer Limited. Space, price, warranty, and fun driving is where I'm torn.
@@MervinGutierrez nice. They only problem is that Kias production and supply has been extremely low. This is further fuelled by covid. So those cars are going above price. In the research I have done, both cx9 and explorer are coming out at much lower lease value than a kia or Hyundai. Personal opinion but I think it's not worth leasing a Kia. You either go ahead and buy it or lease the other more affordable options.
@@zeeshansuleman7960 personally if I were you I would go with the CX-9 whenever you decide to lease one I’ve heard the new explorer is one of the 3 row suvs to avoid..
@@serbianfinest1 Ordered from a dealer in OH on 5/1. Received it 6/19. Got lucky to get it so quick (ended up using a friend that works at a dealer in TX to find my exact car going to a dealer in NE OH, and the dealer luckily had same ownership as mine, so my dealer traded with them and got me the vehicle). My dealer gave me $1,700 off MSRP, then I got $2,900 in rebates. This particular dealer refuses to charge over MSRP and they discount on orders (no discount on stock vehicles). Best price I could find in OH let alone anywhere within driving distance from me.
@@Jocky690 Remarkable deal, I must say. But you point out something that's more widespread than sometimes thought. Amid the complaints that KIA dealers are adding "market adjustment" stickers to MSRP for the Telluride there are many dealers, including my own in the area around Seattle, who have a policy against applying second stickers to any vehicle. Not many consumers can duplicate your experience, I suspect, but if you're willing to wait for delivery there's no reason to pay over MSRP for the Telluride, even the top trim SX with the Prestige Package.
Alex, Please add a review of options like Kia's Highway Driving Assist on the Telluride, and other makes with a similar option. The quality of this feature is one of several key technology features that will help determine my next purchase, so I would definitely love to hear your opinion on this feature on all the SUV's I am considering purchasing, which would include the Telluride and all its similar competitors. Thanks! - ps - I love the detail, accuracy and analysis of comparable cars in your reviews! I have recommended you to many friends and to the Telluride Facebook community as well!
A worthwhile suggestion though it imposes a significant burden to compare such features in reviews in a comprehensive fashion. I have most of the same driver assistance features on my KIA Sorento and I have to say that they work very, very well. Superior, in fact, compared to other brands I've tried.
Thank you for your end of video comparisons. I like how Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are boxy 3 row SUVs. Contrasted with the very reliable Toyota Highlander, Subaru Ascent and Honda Pilot you can see great value across the board. Nissan’s Pathfinder has some catching up to do. As family SUV’s you just can’t ignore reliability issues and concerns. If you had your grandparents or mother in law in your car going out to lunch with you in the city, you shouldn’t have to worry about your VW timing chain self destructing on the road or the highway. Can’t wait to see a Genesis version in the future and stack it up against the Acura MDX, Benz gls, Infiniti QX60, Audi Q7, BMW x7, and Lexus RX
.I've only written 2 car reviews in my life. One for the 2016 Z06 and now this 2020 Palisade. Most reviewers are now calling it a 2 way tie for 3 row SUV/CUV between the Palisade and the equally impressive Kia Telluride. I would add that even if we could get the Honda Pilot for $40K OTD, $5K less than the Hyundai, we'd still buy the Hyundai for ammenities, ride quality, tech package and styling. The Honda just looks like a well built appliance....because it is. I think between the 2 (Telluride/Palisade) the deciding factors will be: 1) Styling interior/exterior - 100% subjective and it should be. You're the one who has to look at it everyday. 2) Center console - You either like the Palisade's push button shifter and how this enables more efficient use of the center console, or you don't. 3) Driver info center - Palisade is 12.3", 100% programmable and digital versus 7" digital + 2 analog, non-customizable gauges in the Kia. 4) Push button 3rd row decline is only available in the Palisade. 5) 20" wheels - black only on the Telluride, black chrome on the Palisade. 6) Palisade has different rear end suspension. Makes the ride VERY compliant. Shocks are supplied by 2 different suppliers. Palisade uses Sachs/ZF and are tuned to react faster than Kia which means it can actually be both more compliant and a better handler. 7) Palisade has more sound deadening and thicker glass. Makes for a very quiet ride, although the Telluride is not far behind. 8) Telluride has more space (2") behind the 3rd row. Slightly different length and body lines for the Palisade surrenders the space. 9) Palisade limited comes standard with self-leveling suspension. Telluride you need to order the trailering package. That's really it for differences between the 2. 600 miles is not enough to judge quality yet, but I can tell you that initial fit/finish in the Hyundai was better than the Kia we drove. The Kia is built in West Point, GA while the Palisade is built in Ulsan, South Korea alongside the Genesis G sedans. I won't argue that this makes the quality better in any way, just that we could see some ill-fitting interior plastic pieces on the Kia that we didn't see on our Hyundai. Since buying the Hyundai we made 4 changes/upgrades: 1) $9 - We pulled the GIANT Hyundai logo off the rear of the vehicle. The intent was to leave this off entirely. Nothing against Hyundai, I just don't like giant emblems on cars, didn't care for it when Mercedes did the same thing. Unfortunately we discovered 3 rather large mounting holes. Solution was to add a more subdued, non-branded Genesis wing. (not up-branding, just trying to kill an ugly giant chrome emblem. 2) $70 - Tinted the driver/passenger side windows with legal 25%. They're the only windows that weren't tinted on the side. It looks MUCH better and is definitely cooler. 3) $30 - Added the OEM mud guards (4) direct from Hyundai in Korea. We added them to our Jeep Grand Cherokee as well. They definitely help, especially with 20" wheels. 4) $39 - Added side vent shades (4), again directly from Korea. These are unfortunately 3M taped versions. Hoping that someone will design a set like WeatherTech did for the Jeep that snap in. Ours lasted 6 years on the Jeep with no fading and discoloration.
@@BitCuration No argument here. It's the one oddity that could've been solved with a Jaguar-like button/dial. Not gonna lie, it's the one thing that doesn't fall to your hand "blindly" in the cabin. Everything else make ergonomic sense. Love that this freed up the center console, but there were other, more effective ways to do this. On a side note. The Palisade continues to amaze. We are quickly racking up the miles. The fuel economy exceeds anything we've seen in a vehicle this size that didn't have a battery. With mixed driving we're seeing over 26mpg and steady highway mileage is 30mpg. We did take our Hyundai badge off the back. Not because we hate Hyundai, but because we hate stupidly large emblems. Never liked it on the Mercedes SUV's and don't like it on the Hyundai. We went with a more subdued, generic Genesis wing. There are 3 mounting holes once you remove the emblem, otherwise I would've went with NO EMBLEM and just left the PALISADE lettering. i.postimg.cc/15qG1DYG/image.jpg
I haven't eaten [even a sandwich/fries] in a moving car in forever--certainly, over 25 years. Even on roadtrips--for a fast-food lunch--I'd rather finish a meal inside, or on an outside picnic table. Even if a meal is just average, it can hardly be enjoyed while driving, and concentrating on the road. But, we're old and retired, and never in much of a hurry to get places...
@@kenc2257 I believe they were just referring to that specific holder, it's shaped to perfectly fit a small or medium pack of McDonald's or Burger King's fresh fries. I personally, cannot imagine a long trip without some chips and a Monster/Red bull.
Thanks Alex for another great review -- I'm leaning towards the Palisade, but it's interesting to note the Telluride has several other less noticed advantages such as power folding side mirrors, adjustable rear-seat armrests, light headliner w/ dark leather on top trims, and that cool Stinger side-button key fob.
@Alex on Autos please remember that the Hyundai Palisade base trim DOES NOT include Blind Spot Monitoring. You have to step up to the SEL trim for that basic safety feature. In the Kia, it is included on all trims.
We have driven a 2016 XC90 for the past 3 years. We've only used the 3rd row twice. With the captain's chair option you can put 2 or 3 more kids in the 3rd row without needing to flip forward. With five kids, we believe you overstate the importance of flip forward ability. The bench is the option that creates the need for the technology to roll the seats forward. If you get captain's chairs then the 3rd row is easily acceptable between them. We love you videos and my wife is considering Telluride or Palisade because of your video recommendation. We simply cannot feel good about the ridiculous service costs charged by Volvo. Otherwise, we love the XC90.
Volvo was once a "people's car", now has become luxury car with lots of tales of woe about cost of ownership and reliability problems.You can't go wrong with a Kia or Hyundai. I think I would rent each for a day to see which you think is best for you.
I own a 2017 XC90 T6 inscription, and my daughter and her husband and kiddoes have the telluride. Our XC90 is faster, FABULOUS feeling and very reliable, well worth the added cost for us, just because of its specialness and solid feel... but, for the grandkids, Telluride rules. Love them both.
My wife and I drive about 15-18K miles per year and have a small family with only occasional needs towing/hauling. We have test driven every mainstream midsize three row crossover in the last few months trying to find the best combination of features and value for our needs. In the end, nothing under $50K compared to the feel of the Telluride or the Palisade. Even if you cross-shop the CPO market for low mileage examples of larger and more luxurious cars or trucks, it is quite challenging to beat new examples of the Hyundai Motor Company options. Total cost of ownership (fuel, likely repairs/warranty coverage, etc) for the Telluride and Palisade make them highly competitive. If you have a small family, drive many miles per year, want to balance features vs. total cost, need a capable machine, and want something that feels nice to live with every day, I think these two win the day and even compete outside of their class. I also think the Telluride is better than the Palisade. The Palisade is an imitation designer handbag, and the Telluride is a quirky rugged lifestyle wannabe that actually can cut the mustard for light demands. The Telluride just feels cooler and already has a bit of a cult following (partially due to its early advertising campaign to build this image). The Palisade also looks like its trying to be a luxury car without quite pulling it off. It's a bit like a budget Lexus LX that knows it isn't as good. The interior design scheme also looks and feels cheaper than the Telluride. The black plastic around the infotainment system is ugly and cheap, the fake aluminum around the lower controls is laughably bad and poor, and the push button transmission looks like a kid's toy. It just doesn't impress. The Telluride is more understated on the interior, which is a wiser play at the price point, allowing Kia to better disguise the budget materials. My recommendation if you have the needs my family does: find a dealer that can get you a Telluride at MSRP (never pay above) and order an SX without the prestige package to save money and time (prestige packages cannot even be ordered right now due to demand). Alternatively, wait until Q2-Q3 2020 to see if the incentives and supply of Tellurides improve.
We're a small family, too. (2 adults, teenage daughter, big dog.) If I were choosing a vehicle in the larger midsize 3 row crossover segment, I'd go for the Telluride, as well. As it happens, though, we were shopping about a year ago and went with the Telluride's somewhat shorter cousin, the Sorento. The Telluride wasn't available at that time, of course, but if I were shopping today I think I'd make the same decision. At 189" in length (7" less than the Telluride) the Sorento falls into a "tweener" category between compact and larger midsize crossovers along with a number of rivals including the Passport, the Santa Fe, the Edge, the Murano, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, etc. But it's the only vehicle in that category that offers third row seating. We don't use that third row often but it's very convenient when we chauffeur a gaggle of teenage girls around town or take six or seven passengers to a local destination that would otherwise require two vehicles. The Sorento is more maneuverable than larger rivals, fits more easily into parking spots, and can be fitted with a multi-bike rack on the rear and still close our garage door with room to spare. Moreover, the third row is surprisingly accommodating with legroom virtually equal to the larger Pilot, Ascent, and even the Telluride. And considerably more than the CX-9, and the Highlander. The top trim (SX-L) Sorento shares a number of features and materials with the (SX) Telluride. The interior passenger space is less, of course. (154 cubic ft vs 178 cubic ft). But the Sorento is extremely generous considering the vehicle's size. As much as the Honda Pilot, slightly more than the Subaru Ascent and much, much more than the CX-9 and Toyota Highlander, all of which are considerably larger vehicles. Where it comes up short is in terms of cargo space behind the third row (11 cubic ft vs 21 cubic ft) compared to the Telluride. Need room for gear/luggage and six passengers or more, get a Telluride, or even better, a minivan. Same transmissions and AWD systems but different engines. The 3.8L NA V6 in the Telluride is half a liter larger than the 3.3L V6 in the Sorento. But the Telluride runs the Atkinson cycle to save fuel at some sacrifice in performance so the performance metrics and fuel efficiency are close to identical. Interior materials in the top trims are comparable with nappa leather and virtually identical seats. The Sorento has a bench second row that's currently lacking in the SX Telluride. More eye candy in the Telluride's digital display but the same infotainment system. Nifty camera view of the adjacent lane when the turn signal is on in the Telluride. I'd like to have that. Identical tow ratings though the Telluride has load leveling. (I don't tow so it's not an issue for my family.) And then there's the price. Perhaps surprisingly the MSRP's for top trim Sorentos and Tellurides are nearly identical, a pattern that's found in Honda's Pilot and Passport. And when you think about it, simply removing six or seven inches in length doesn't necessarily reduce the cost of producing a vehicle that shares so many components and features. But in the real world, there's a substantial difference. We bought our fully loaded SX-L Sorento for $40K plus tax, title, and license. I suspect that much the same deal would be available today. On the other hand, even managing to purchase a top trim Telluride today is a challenge and very, very unlikely to be available at less than MSRP. The Telluride (and for that matter, the Palisade) is an impressive vehicle. On a point by point scorecard I think it tops its category. And if our family used a third row of seats on a frequent basis, it would be my choice. But for us the Sorento is the better answer.
Great job on this review Alex! FYI regarding an entertainment system now a days kids want to use tablets... So a built-in ES is not that important. My problem with the Atlas is reliability. The Telluride has a great drive!
Good value information in you report as always, excellent job. I have a question about all digital displays in the dash and clusters that all automakers putting in all modern cars, will be reliable after at least 5 years of usage? I mean inside of the cabin can get very cold or hot (depending where you live), will those digital screen & software handle through the years?
As soon they come in? I went to test drive one, and the dealerships said all incoming Tellurides that haven't even arrived at the lot yet were already sold.
@@javiersolarte9018 Not necessarily. My local dealer has a policy of not adding a second sticker to any vehicle. The downside of that policy, however, is that the waiting list for a vehicle is considerably longer than dealers who add a "market adjustment" sticker.
I'm considering this as my next lease option...I still love my CX-9 but this is a real head-turner too. I just wish the LED headlights were standard and not a premium package option that adds another $1695 to the MSRP. Also, not too mention just about every dealership in South Florida are selling these bad boys well over asking price. To put it in perspective I got quoted for a CX-9 Signature for the same price as a Telluride EX AWD.
Kia nailed all aspects of the styling. It’s dang near perfect. The Palisade front end looks like the offspring of a 3 way between Lexus, Infiniti, and the Predator. I can’t get past that maw. Additionally, that $1500 to replace headlight is right in the bumper ready to be “busted” wide open in a simple tap while someone is backing into a parking space. The kind of tap that ordinarily would do no damage and you don’t even bother looking. Fail on both fronts. I’m getting the Telluride. I walked away from a 2020 MDX that was discounted $10k. It looks very 10 years ago and it’s minivan front proportions have looked awkward for 20 years. The new 2021 MDX already looks dated. The long hood telluride is just perfect and that grille is equally perfect. It’s the first car design in memory where I have zero criticism. Well played Kia, very well played.
Alex, can you do a Telluride vs Palisade comparison. Also, why do you suppose most 3 row SUV choose to reduce seating for its top trim? I cannot get 8 seat configuration from either top trim. Very frustrating since it's obvious people buying 3 rows want seating capacity, even if it's just for daily after school driving kids and their teammates to their sports games, etc.
If I had to guess, many (not all) people buying one for the space will not be buying the top end trim and the ones who do buy top end want more comfort, hence the second row captains chairs.
It stems from market research. Typically, buyers of top trim models have smaller families, often with older children, and greater disposable income. Captain chairs in the second row are much more popular among those buyers. Furthermore, KIA traditionally limits the range of options in their top trim models. That includes offering fewer color choices, for example. This enables the company to constrain costs and reduce the number of unsold, higher priced models on dealer lots. In the case of the Telluride, however, KIA and KIA dealers (who determine trim mixes that are actually built) significantly erred in estimating how popular the top trim SX model would be. They expected the volume selling trim to be the mid-level EX. In fact, however, many Telluride buyers prefer the top trim SX and KIA has had an especially difficult time meeting demand for that model. As dalex7777 notes, the rumor is that KIA will offer a second row bench seat option in the SX in the future. Though I expect it will be next model year rather than a mid-year refresh since there are long waiting lists for the SX model with captain chairs. In fact, production has been slowed due to the shortage of those chairs from the supplier.
@@stephenhendricks103 thank you for the thorogh explanation. Just in this video's comments I have counted about 10 lost sales due to lacking 2nd row bench on top trim, out of about 100 commenters... 10%
The Telluride isn't one of the best 3-row crossovers. It IS the BEST. Period! No other offers the same value/features at this price point with looks to shame even premium luxury crossovers. Only the Palisade with which it shares the same mechanical platform might outdo it. They both will clearly be in the running for SUV of the year 2020. Easily in the top 5. Personally, I'd take the Palisade.
@@DRII-yv1yt There is a clear distinction between best buy and best seller. Of course the Explorer has a higher name recognition while the Telluride is a newcomer, but numbers don't always tell the whole story.
@@chiemekaa I'm only referring to transaction prices, which is completely supply and demand. The Explorer is the better SUV because it matches/nearly matches the Telluride's best attributes, all the while offering the dynamics and superior feel of a well balanced RWD platform, with multiple engine choices. Before the Telluride, the 'old' FWD based Explorer set the standard (Alex even said so) and was more of a family SUV vs the Jeep Grand Cherokee which is RWD but pretty small with little cargo room. the new Explorer hits a sweet spot of RWD and family friendly.
What a review! Thanks for your hard work and effort. I'm currently in the market for a 3 row SUV with 2nd row captain chairs and Telluride certainly will be the one! #TeamTelluride
Considering the vast differences in features and the fact that the CX-9's sales have been declining year-on-year since September 2018 I'd say the comparison isn't something Mazda would look forward to.
Thanks so much for letting us know that the adaptive cruise control works down to 0 mph - so very handy in stop & go traffic. Remember people that the current Highlander doesn’t work below 28 mph. Also, even if you have a Toyota with ACC that works down to 0 mph (TSS v2), the lowest speed you can set cruise is 28 mph. Way to go Toyota encouraging us to speed. The only CUV I know of that you can set cruise below 25 mph is Mazda CX-5 - I was able to set it to 15 mph, which is SUPER helpful where I live because the speed limit in school zones is 15 mph, and there are 2 schools on a 3/4 mile road.
KIA and HYUNDAI gives Toyota and Honda something to worry about. The extremely long (10 years/100K) warranty beats any competitors' warranty by far. It have a Hyundai Elantra and now, Telluride gives me a reason for the first time to consider purchasing an SUV from KIA.
Alex, any thoughts on the differences between the 2020 and 2021 models? Wonder if the premium currently being charged by the dealers for the 2021 model is worth it!
Kia killed it with the Telluride. I’m starting to see them everywhere. Can’t find an SX trim at the dealerships and inventory is typically low since they’re selling so well. I just can’t justify buying another SUV while owning a Tundra Crewmax. I dislike my Subaru Forester XT (CVT sucks) and want to get into a wagon but my options are basically an expensive Volvo V90 or an orphan Buick (Opel) TourX. Great review!
Alex I just went to your website looking for a copy of the size rule you use to compare between vehicle sizes, but didn't have any luck finding it, it gets really confusing deciding, I have a CX-9 and thought the Telluride was bigger but it isn't, and I want to compare it to the Q7 or the XC-90 I can't because they are in different segments :( It would be great to have a ruler with all sizes despite the segment so we could compare between them. Thanks Alex!
Another great review, Alex! Keep up the great work! For me, I'd definitely choose the Telluride - #1 on my list for 3-row crossovers (next up, the CX-9). The Palisade, as nice as it is, looks too much like "The Predator" to get over it. Eesh!
You're not going to go wrong with all three versions (Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis). It's all about taste. If you want the luxury, you go Genesis. If you want "upscale", but not the Genesis price, you go for Hyundai. If you the sporty and rugged one, it's Kia.
Majority of buyers buy 3 row vehicle for extra cargo. Handling on Telluride should be rated as B, ride A- . This is soft and when pushed in corners front suspension folds and feels unstable and not inspire confidence . Not even close to CX9 . Ride comfort is very good . Steering feel ok and is rather isolated. Amount of room is where this tellurode is best at , so of of best mini van alternatives.
Hey Alex what is your opinion on the the Ascent’s CVT? Do you think I should stay away from it and choose the Telluride? You mentioned that the 2020 Outback’s CVT is good. Just need your opinion. Thanks in advance!! I follow your videos and they’re helpful!!
Hey! Love your work... I am curious if the Telluride has a WIFI hot spot for tablets and such? Also, we are thinking of buying a new car and we are stuck on the Kia Telluride and the Chrysler Pacifica, possibly Pacifica Hybrid. We are a family of 5. What do you recommend?
He’s right, these Tellurides are selling so fast. I was at a KIA dealership for service and they said they got a shipment last month of 19 and already out. I saw one in the showroom and it’s a gorgeous SUV. It has a price of a full-size family sedan in the 30’s and 40’s so a much better value than all other 3 row SUVs out there. Love the rigged look on this beauty.
I think Alex may have leading info. The Kia and Hyundai have LARGER (quite a bit more space) inside, but their exterior dimensions are in fact smaller than - 2020 explorer, pathfinder, CX-9, Traverse, Enclave, Durango But are the same size as - the Pilot, Ascent, MDX And are larger than - Acadia, Sorento, Highlander, 4Runner
Mostly packaging and design. CX-9 is very sleek, sloped rear hatch, longer and pointy hood. Telluride is shaped like a box. There is also tank size which car reviewers rarely mentions, and other stuff going on beneath the car that we can't see.
@@ro0ster648 The main culprit in terms of the relatively cramped interior space in the CX-9 is the extremely long distance between the A pillar and the front bumper. It's nearly a foot longer than its rivals. It's necessitated by the massive exhaust manifold placed behind the engine and the associated turbo. It's an approach used by automotive designers for about a hundred years to suggest performance and potency but it adds nothing in terms of functionality. In terms of the fuel tank capacity the CX-9 has about 3 quarts more than the Telluride, not enough to account for much if any of the huge difference in terms of interior space.
Lack of a split tailgate is a deal killer for the entire segment at the moment. Sounds minor but look at the "tailgate wars" going on in the pickup truck space. Full size SUVs are no different. That no pickup truck comes with an enclosed cap standard is a dead giveaway that that market segment has serious issues going forward as well. The Scaringe designed all electric pickup/SUV is dispositive.
Quite impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing how the reliability is over the next few years to see if it's going to be a good used car. I do really wish you could get cloth seats...I don't like leather, fake or real. I prefer the look of the Palisade dash (no stupid floating tablet) but the standard cloth seats make the decision easy for me.
Great review! The lower observed fuel economy rating of the VW atlas along with the jumpy throttle response, is enough of a negative to put this SUV at the bottom of my list. Unfortunately, the color choices and black painted wheels on the Telluride SX isn't grabbing me either!
I wish you would have included the Subaru Ascent in your competitive group so that we could see the differences. Also, does the Telluride have autonomous rear braking? Thanks.
So the Telluride and the palisade are his top pick, not just the Telluride lol. it’s hard to decide between the two models since they are essentially the same, however I think the Hyundai is still slightly a better value due to the power rear third row folding seats and 10 inch display. Great review as usual Alex!
Different strokes for different folks, Darrel. Personally, I'm not impressed by the slowest power folding rear seats on the planet. :) That's especially true when you have to give up cargo space behind the third row (21 cf vs 18 cf) to accommodate the power plumbing for the rear seat.
That is a great fact, I didn’t think of that. I’m torn between the two. The Palisade looks a little more upscale however the Telluride looks awesome also in a more rugged way. Glad I’m holding onto my Santa Fe Sport 2.0t for a few more years...I don’t think I could decide if I had to at the moment. 🤔
The combination of design, practicality, and price that Kia has achieved with the Telluride is remarkable. I also love that Kia and Hyundai are putting Android Auto/Apple CarPlay into their base models.
And excellent 5 year 60k mile/100km full warranty 😊 (Which I would want with anything that's not a Toyota or Honda)
James In the UK Kia now give 7 year 100k miles warranty, I guess you’ll get the same very soon being such an important market 😎🇬🇧
@@baltvdb Are you saying that the power train is only 7 year / 100K miles while the bumper to bumper is still 5 years / 60K miles? Or were you saying the bumper to bumper was expanded to 7 year / 100K miles? I'd assume the former, but let me know. Thanks.
In South Florida we have dealership chain (R.C.) that doubles all warranties. Twenty years, two hundred thousand miles.
It beats my mind why premium cars don't have them as standard features
I just leased the Kia Telluride EX. I previously had a GMC Acadia Denali. I originally wanted the SX Tellluride but the dealers were getting over asking price and I wasn't going to play that game. Also, I wanted a bench in the 2nd row, and the SX didn't offer it. I absolutely love the Telluride so far, the interior quality the roominess, the way it drives. I live in Manhattan and people stop me and ask how it is if I like it.
How much per month?
Just wait until you see an SX Telluride drive past you in a month or so. Your anger and envy will be palpable.😖😖
I personally think EX has the best value, Do you really need heated and ventilated second row seats and the panel moonroof? I personally don't.
Same we have a s trim awd
You live in manhattan, ny and drive?? Lol
Kia and Hyundai knocked it out of the park with these two SUVs. Very impressed
Excellent vehicles. Hopefully they offer hybrid powertrains eventually to compete with Hylanders near double fuel economy.
Which one is better?
Just wanted to say this has been the best review I've watched so far for the telluride. I really appreciated the breakdown of the different trim levels. Other reviews aren't as clear in this regard and are often reviewing the highest level of trim, which isn't necessarily applicable to most viewers.
I love the telluride. It’s become my top pick for any three row suv. I’d easily take it over a traverse, atlas, or a CX9. And to some extent, the Acura MDX.
I wouldn't put it in same class as an MDX, especially performance, handling or AWD (MDX has IVT-4 super handling AWD).
Great review as always, Alex. Special kudos for focusing on the interior packaging "efficiency" of the Telluride. As you note, it's in the middle of the pack in terms of overall length of a larger 3 row crossover while offering an extraordinary amount of passenger and cargo room.
The most obvious competition for the Telluride is the Palisade. Not just a corporate cousins, they're more like fraternal twins. The Palisade is dressed in a three piece suit and the Telluride in a plaid shirt and (well pressed) blue jeans. It's worth considering why this is so. Both the Telluride and Palisade were initially designed in Hyundai's and KIA's design studios in California but the Telluride has been designed for and is produced in North America (West Point, GA). It is not even offered in Asian markets including Korea.
The Palisade, on the other hand, is built in Korea and designed to be sold in international markets, especially in Asia. "Ruggedness" has great appeal in North America. Much less so in countries where a relatively affluent middle class is a recent phenomenon and "luxuriousness" trumps "rugged." If you or your parents grew up in poverty and you've made it to the middle class, you may well have had all the ruggedness you care to experience. It's no accident that the Telluride most closely resembles the Land (and Range) Rover models, vehicles with a long pedigree of "ruggedness" (plus luxury) while the Palisade more closely resembles European pure luxury vehicles from BMW, MB, and Audi.
By the way, Alex, your various top picks for the category suggest you might have a real future in politics. :)
Hey Stephen Hendricks, I want to start a multi-Kia affinity group. I think you should be a founding member!
It seems Kia has also been smushing their engines in the engine bay to allow more space in the passenger area at the expensive of making the vehicles harder and more costly to maintain and fix. If you are keeping vehicles a short time it might not matter. But that inside space has to come from somewhere.
so they are not built in the same factory?
@@DRII-yv1yt No, they are not. The Telluride is built in West Point, Georgia alongside the Sorento. The Palisade is built in South Korea.
@@ABCD-eg5ky why you cares? you obviously cant afford it.
Absolutely lost for words as to how much value this car has to offer. I am sold.
While having the oil changed in my Optima, I walked into the showroom and sat in the Telluride. I was immediately surprised how comfortable and luxurious the interior is. The ergonomics was spot on. And the roominess was awesome. But...what REALLY surprised me was it was the base model!! I realized this when I saw the sticker in the window. It was $31,890!!! The fake leather was nicer than some cars' real leather. I could be satisfied with the base.
I love that you can't quite decide on Telluride vs Palisade. Both great options. We picked up our Palisade Limited on Wednesday. Your Palisade "first drive" review cemented it for us. Ours was the first Palisade off the lot at Gateway Hyundai in Fargo ND! :)
I would have preferred a stick, but the extra space above and below is nice. The big negative is having to look at the buttons to change from reverse to drive or the other way around.
@@chrisgarty I sat in a Palisade Limited on Tuesday at Gateway Hyundai, might have been yours, hehe. It's really nice! Congrats!
Both vehicles are nice but I would've bought the Telluride just so I didn't have to deal with Gateway. The Kia guys down the road are 1000x better to deal with!
I bought an S model Telluride 2 weeks ago, we ordered it 8 months ago, so it was a very long wait, but we are pleased with it, ours is Dark Moss w/ ivory and black interior and the machine finish 20 inch wheels look far better than the upscale black ones to my sense of taste, overall we are happy that we waited!
I bought the Sorento SXL over the Highlander XLE this past year based on your recommendation (video and twitter response) and I couldn't be happier--we love it. BUT DAMN, I wish I had paid attention and knew the Telluride was coming! BTW, for anyone comparing the Hyundai to the Kia...take the Kia...quality is much better...I know, I know, Hyundai owns 33% or more of Kia but Kia's quality is better, no question (after having two Hyundai's previously).
Thank you for that quality comparison based on owning both brands, exactly the type of meaningful info when comparing Telluride vs Palisade.
Do you have specific quality points or corresponding parts to note between the two brands?
I would agree with that assessment regarding quality, at least for the "touchy-feely" points around the interior. Every market is different but in Canada at least, the interiors of most Kia Vehicles are a definite cut above their Hyundai siblings, in spite of sharing powertrains.
@@dchen1763 Sorry, missed this. After owning both a Hyundai Entourage and a 2013 Santa Fe XL (Canada), we found that we couldn't wait to get rid of those vehicles after 2 or 3 years--they just seemed to deteriorate in quality and durability. On the other hand, my 2012 Kia Optima is rock solid, zero issues. The 2019 Sorento SXL we bought in August 2018 was and is, fantastic. The quality across the board just seems so much better than what we've experienced with the two previous Hyundai's that we've owned. Kia seems to own quality vs Hyundai. That's an unscientific conclusion but I would not spend any more money on Hyundai's.
@@jtanner71 thanks for the reply. I'm now waiting for SX with 2nd row bench. Hopefully next model year.
Damn, the Koreans threw down the gauntlet with these! Especially that KIA - she’s a beaut!
Yes The kia and Hyundai are hitting it out of the park with all their vehicles for the price, reliablity and warranty. Honda seems disfunctional tech.
It’s a US designed and built in Georgia. How Korean is it?
@@b4804514 Reliability? LOL no sorry Hyundai/Kia reliability is a joke. As Hyundai/Kia owners can tell you, their warranty is useless. Their Theta II engines were blowing up left and right. It was an epidemic and it still occurs way too often today. Despite being an obvious issue with poor manufacturing quality, Hyundai/Kia denied thousands and thousands of owners warranty coverage. Total garbage reliability. They don't stand behind their vehicles like they claim.
@@hochhaul Have you owned 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 of them? Just talking out of your ass I guess as they are top of the JD Powers list or wait you don't read -just Fox TV fake news
We bought a Sportage this year, loving it! We live in Europe so that’s plenty big for the standards here. The Sportage drives like a dream, very quiet, stays super flat on the road while being very comfortable, and feels built just as solid as the VW Tiguan that we test drove as well - we picked the Kia over it for the value and great warranty, and they felt identical! Kia has gone a looong way!
I’ve been such a fan for a long time. You are hands down the best in the business Alex. You helped me pick my last vehicle which won car of the year the 2015 VW Golf GTI. Now I’m looking for a new three-row crossover and I’m so torn between the new Explorer and the new Telluride. I know one is more expensive than the other as well as more sportier, but I love both bro. Any thoughts on who you’d pick? Personally I care about handling, ride quality/comfort, and cabin noise. 👌🏼
I think I’ve seen more new Tellurides than 2019 Pilots and Ascents. This has been incredibly popular so far. I’ve even seen them as much as the new RAV4
In our area there seem to be Pilots everywhere while I've only noticed two Tellurides since they became available.
I've only seen a few in my city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Not overly popular here 🤷♂️
Thanks for always being unbiased in your reviews. Rare these days.
We have Telluride EX. Everything is great besides the cheap ass Scorpion Verde 60 series tires they put on it. And the terrible yellow halogen bulb headlights, they are the worst! I am going to make a review on this soon. My Honda Accord's headlights are about 50 times brighter. The Telluride EX model with the scorpion verde tires handles very poorly, it can't hold a straight line on freeway without exhausting yourself. The active lane keep assist feature makes it 10 times worse. KIA is afraid to contact me, But they will when I make my review and get 50k hits. Don't test a SX model.. Test a LX or EX model with shitty tires for a week. You'll hate this SUV. Even my wife notices it and she never complains.
@@MarkTodd33 OR, get off your wallet and get thr SX.
@@MarkTodd33 Factory tires never last long anyways (soft rubber) or sell them before putting any miles on them and get what you want. Halogen lights are easy to replace on amazon for LEDs. Install takes 10 minutes. Not as good as factory LEDs but a massive improvement, especially if you have projector assemblies.
Great review Alex! Maybe the Telluride isn't the prettiest option in the world, but I like how well it stacks up against the Traverse, Tahoe, etc, especially for the price. I imagine this model is going to pave the way for a true 3-row luxury SUV from Genesis in the future. Oh and as far as a rear-seat infotainment system... my suspicion is that and iPad is the only rear-seat infortainment system that most people want hehe!
You get what you pay for. Don't park the Kia in the garage. It'll burn it to the ground when it spontaneously combusts.
@@hochhaul Maybe trolling is fun for you, but everyone here knows that you're just talking out of your ass. Maybe you prefer Honda. They're only 10 spots behind Kia regarding reliability.
An intercom?
Now I can sing for my guests!
🧒🔫
I've owned nothing but Honda vehicles for the last 25 years and I LOVE the Telluride and Palisade for their overall looks and value for the money. I think that I'm jumping ship this fall when inventory catches up with demand. Great job Hyundai and Kia!
I'm one of the thousands of consumers who never even stopped at a KIA dealer until 2012 when I purchased a top trim KIA Sorento. After considering literally every other midsize crossover I concluded that the thousands of $$$ compared to its rivals merited taking a chance. When I traded it last year for a new crossover (again seriously shopping the competition) I went for the Sorento again. (First time in 40 years of car purchases that I replaced a vehicle with a newer version of the same model.) Again, I saved several thousand dollars compared to its competition and the dealer gave me within $800 of the estimated trade-in value of a comparable 2012 Highlander. On balance I made out like a bandit, saving about $6K-$7K over a comparable purchases of any other mainstream three row crossover.
@@stephenhendricks103 I think what you did was the smart financial move and probably saved many thousands over those who have never owned nor will ever own a Hyundai/Kia product. Like high end Sony electronics from 15-20 years ago to now the market being controlled by Korean makes like Samsung and LG, the auto industry is slowly changing as well.
My extended family has had many Hyundai vehicles over the last 15 years and they have had very good success with them. If you drive them for a while, the resale value really isn't a concern. Any issues with reliability is covered by the very generous warranty.
Great video review, as always.
Full disclosure; I am a KIA/Hyundai loyal customer and have owned quite a few models of each manufacturer. I also sent KIA, quite a few years ago, documents with design/market analysis on what the production model could benefit from.
I had been following the development of the Telluride since it was first mentioned quite a few years back. I was so excited to see that KIA was finally targeting larger SUVs in the very profitable USA market. Having owned a 2011 Sportage EX and a Sorento SX V6 I could definitely see the need for a larger and more rugged SUV.
The production design turned out pretty good, especially the interiors. It has a lot going for it and it offers a more a cohesive design language than many upscale manufacturers/brands.
Where I think KIA has made a mistake is in assuming that people purchasing these vehicles care much about fuel economy. People really don't. The compromise made by the use of the marginally appropriate V6 is, in my opinion, not worth it and a missed opportunity to snatch the more adventurous demographic that expect a more powerful engine. Also disappointing is the use of the modified front-drive Sorento platform - I was hoping they used the K900 rear-drive platform instead, along with the engines offered on that car. Again, people buying these SUVs are not really concerned about fuel economy, that is a hypocritical and naive assumption - an extra 2/5 mpg is such a ridiculous margin that defeats the purpose of the potential performance sacrificed for looking "good" on mpg numbers. If it was more like 10 mpg over the competition, then it could be worth the sacrifice.
I currently own a 2009 KIA Borrego, 4WD-V8 and even though I have had my fair share of mechanical issues, all of which have been resolved fairly easy and cheap. It is a fantastic truck; it feels like a truck for sure, the V8 is fairly powerful, the 4WD system, which I have actually used for off-roading, is fantastic and fuel economy is on the borderline-horrid spectrum. This model is still being sold worldwide as the Mohave and has gone through quite a few updates, mostly front/rear face lifts, but the design of the box itself hasn't changed much, and people throughout the world really use it for off-roading, unlike 99.9% of the USA market SUV owners, which will mostly roam comfy freeways and Whole Foods parking lots. The SUVs in the USA have become glorified minivans. The only real off-roaders are very few.
All in all, I think the Telluride is a pretty good bargain for what it offers, and a pretty one at that. Sill, I'll hold off until gen 2 and see what changes are implemented. I'm hoping, of course, for a stronger engine and (for the love of whichever deity your worship) more exiting colours other than the blassé ones currently offered. Although the Lincoln Aviator is looking like the more attractive option by the minute... hmmm...
Keep up the good work, Alex!
H. J. Babilonia sir how do you pick between telluride and palisade
You'll benefit from 2020 Ford Explorer ST, for better engine.
@@carlsoon6533 -- the engine and platform are great BUT the design is so ugly that I can't get myself to invest in one and have to look at it every day. 😉
@@mikixu98 -- it all depends on which design style you like best. Both have really good exterior and interior design. I wish the Telluride had some of the Palisade's interior options. Personally, I'd pick the Telluride. 😊
H. J. Babilonia take a trip to South Korea. You'll know the real Kia/Hyundai
Hi Alex, I always find your automobile review videos so much informative and useful than any of the others on youtube, so I really want to thank you for doing such reviews and posting them; and want to request you to keep doing the same, because certainly your automobile review videos have been helping the potential buyers like me to find out the most of the features / technical info on various Makes and Models of vehicles available in the North American market...!!!
I just bought one last week. I love it. I bought the EX model for 2000 over MRSP. My dealership only had 5 in stock and before we left all the models they had was gone including the base model. People was showing up to look and buy but they were all gone. They cant keep them on the lot.
Best 3 row review video ever. I saw a hundred videos on this topic and yours is the best! Subscribed!
I like the looks of this car.
I love what we see in this vehicle.
Another top quality video! Although I have zero interest in SUV's. Kia is really on a roll aren't they.
Excellent video here. Probably best I’ve seen on the Telluride!!
I test drove the 2020 Buick Enclave, the Sorrento, an Acadia, an Acadia Denali, and finally the Palisade, and then I wanted to test drive the Telluride... there were none in my area. I drove down to Melbourne (only two in stock) and I knew right away that I found my "wow" vehicle I was looking for. Test drove that baby and that sealed the deal. To me, it blows away the Land Rover, Cadillac and Mercedes SUV's that my neighbor's own, esp at that price. And yes, I had to pay $4995 over MSRP to purchase the S model. I paid $32000 cash for it and turned in my poorly running 2012 Buick Regal that went into serious decline in the past 6 months. I think I drove away with a great bargain. Wait until they find out the Regal's trunk leaks and the other issues I was having with it! Oh well! ~I agree, the center console in the Palisade is way too basic and unattractive. The Telluride is just totally awesome, inside and out!
@@LifeISMagix like I said, they wanted $38000 for the S with tow pkg, etc + the $5000= 43000. I paid 32 and traded in my shitty car. I feel like I made out like a bandit!
My goodness. I've learned soooo much in this video. I think we'll check out the telluride This week. Thanks, Alex!
John Lin good hunting finding one!
Nice comparison & video. I'm a Explorer fan and recently I liked the Traverse, but this two competitors are going to take a big share of the market.
The best looking mainstream SUV in the market imo... Can't go wrong with the ride, quality, design, technology, safety, warranty and VALUE. I can see why you have to wait months to buy one (tho i'm leaning towards the Genesis GV80 after i trade in my Mazda CX-5)
One year later and the freaking car is still selling out like crazy! 6-8 month wait now.
Two years later and it’s still hard to find one sitting in dealer lots
Great review. After doing tons of comparisons (there are over 15 suvs in this category in US), I am finally down to the 3 im impressed with the most. Telluride, CX9, and Explorer Limited. Space, price, warranty, and fun driving is where I'm torn.
I have a CX-9 and am looking to trade in my lease next year for the Telluride or the new Acura MDX.
@@MervinGutierrez nice. They only problem is that Kias production and supply has been extremely low. This is further fuelled by covid. So those cars are going above price. In the research I have done, both cx9 and explorer are coming out at much lower lease value than a kia or Hyundai.
Personal opinion but I think it's not worth leasing a Kia. You either go ahead and buy it or lease the other more affordable options.
@@zeeshansuleman7960 personally if I were you I would go with the CX-9 whenever you decide to lease one I’ve heard the new explorer is one of the 3 row suvs to avoid..
I test drove a few suv's and I like the Telluride the best. Merry Christmas/Birthday/Graduating to me ;-)
Paulette Alfonso I’m looking forward to your review when you finally buy it and congrats, happy birthday and early merry Christmas. lol
SX-P owner here for $4,600 under MSRP. Best vehicle in it's class is a huge understatement. It is incredible.
How did you get it for 4,600 under MSRP just curious
@@serbianfinest1 Ordered from a dealer in OH on 5/1. Received it 6/19. Got lucky to get it so quick (ended up using a friend that works at a dealer in TX to find my exact car going to a dealer in NE OH, and the dealer luckily had same ownership as mine, so my dealer traded with them and got me the vehicle). My dealer gave me $1,700 off MSRP, then I got $2,900 in rebates. This particular dealer refuses to charge over MSRP and they discount on orders (no discount on stock vehicles). Best price I could find in OH let alone anywhere within driving distance from me.
@@Jocky690 Remarkable deal, I must say. But you point out something that's more widespread than sometimes thought. Amid the complaints that KIA dealers are adding "market adjustment" stickers to MSRP for the Telluride there are many dealers, including my own in the area around Seattle, who have a policy against applying second stickers to any vehicle. Not many consumers can duplicate your experience, I suspect, but if you're willing to wait for delivery there's no reason to pay over MSRP for the Telluride, even the top trim SX with the Prestige Package.
Alex, Please add a review of options like Kia's Highway Driving Assist on the Telluride, and other makes with a similar option. The quality of this feature is one of several key technology features that will help determine my next purchase, so I would definitely love to hear your opinion on this feature on all the SUV's I am considering purchasing, which would include the Telluride and all its similar competitors. Thanks! - ps - I love the detail, accuracy and analysis of comparable cars in your reviews! I have recommended you to many friends and to the Telluride Facebook community as well!
A worthwhile suggestion though it imposes a significant burden to compare such features in reviews in a comprehensive fashion. I have most of the same driver assistance features on my KIA Sorento and I have to say that they work very, very well. Superior, in fact, compared to other brands I've tried.
Thank you for your end of video comparisons. I like how Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are boxy 3 row SUVs. Contrasted with the very reliable Toyota Highlander, Subaru Ascent and Honda Pilot you can see great value across the board. Nissan’s Pathfinder has some catching up to do. As family SUV’s you just can’t ignore reliability issues and concerns. If you had your grandparents or mother in law in your car going out to lunch with you in the city, you shouldn’t have to worry about your VW timing chain self destructing on the road or the highway.
Can’t wait to see a Genesis version in the future and stack it up against the Acura MDX, Benz gls, Infiniti QX60, Audi Q7, BMW x7, and Lexus RX
Alex is impossible not to like.
.I've only written 2 car reviews in my life. One for the 2016 Z06 and now this 2020 Palisade. Most reviewers are now calling it a 2 way tie for 3 row SUV/CUV between the Palisade and the equally impressive Kia Telluride. I would add that even if we could get the Honda Pilot for $40K OTD, $5K less than the Hyundai, we'd still buy the Hyundai for ammenities, ride quality, tech package and styling. The Honda just looks like a well built appliance....because it is.
I think between the 2 (Telluride/Palisade) the deciding factors will be:
1) Styling interior/exterior - 100% subjective and it should be. You're the one who has to look at it everyday.
2) Center console - You either like the Palisade's push button shifter and how this enables more efficient use of the center console, or you don't.
3) Driver info center - Palisade is 12.3", 100% programmable and digital versus 7" digital + 2 analog, non-customizable gauges in the Kia.
4) Push button 3rd row decline is only available in the Palisade.
5) 20" wheels - black only on the Telluride, black chrome on the Palisade.
6) Palisade has different rear end suspension. Makes the ride VERY compliant. Shocks are supplied by 2 different suppliers. Palisade uses Sachs/ZF and are tuned to react faster than Kia which means it can actually be both more compliant and a better handler.
7) Palisade has more sound deadening and thicker glass. Makes for a very quiet ride, although the Telluride is not far behind.
8) Telluride has more space (2") behind the 3rd row. Slightly different length and body lines for the Palisade surrenders the space.
9) Palisade limited comes standard with self-leveling suspension. Telluride you need to order the trailering package.
That's really it for differences between the 2. 600 miles is not enough to judge quality yet, but I can tell you that initial fit/finish in the Hyundai was better than the Kia we drove. The Kia is built in West Point, GA while the Palisade is built in Ulsan, South Korea alongside the Genesis G sedans. I won't argue that this makes the quality better in any way, just that we could see some ill-fitting interior plastic pieces on the Kia that we didn't see on our Hyundai.
Since buying the Hyundai we made 4 changes/upgrades:
1) $9 - We pulled the GIANT Hyundai logo off the rear of the vehicle. The intent was to leave this off entirely. Nothing against Hyundai, I just don't like giant emblems on cars, didn't care for it when Mercedes did the same thing. Unfortunately we discovered 3 rather large mounting holes. Solution was to add a more subdued, non-branded Genesis wing. (not up-branding, just trying to kill an ugly giant chrome emblem.
2) $70 - Tinted the driver/passenger side windows with legal 25%. They're the only windows that weren't tinted on the side. It looks MUCH better and is definitely cooler.
3) $30 - Added the OEM mud guards (4) direct from Hyundai in Korea. We added them to our Jeep Grand Cherokee as well. They definitely help, especially with 20" wheels.
4) $39 - Added side vent shades (4), again directly from Korea. These are unfortunately 3M taped versions. Hoping that someone will design a set like WeatherTech did for the Jeep that snap in. Ours lasted 6 years on the Jeep with no fading and discoloration.
Yep, WeatherTech makes great products. They should have side window deflectors & floor mats for the Palisade soon.
@@BitCuration No argument here. It's the one oddity that could've been solved with a Jaguar-like button/dial. Not gonna lie, it's the one thing that doesn't fall to your hand "blindly" in the cabin. Everything else make ergonomic sense. Love that this freed up the center console, but there were other, more effective ways to do this.
On a side note. The Palisade continues to amaze. We are quickly racking up the miles. The fuel economy exceeds anything we've seen in a vehicle this size that didn't have a battery. With mixed driving we're seeing over 26mpg and steady highway mileage is 30mpg. We did take our Hyundai badge off the back. Not because we hate Hyundai, but because we hate stupidly large emblems. Never liked it on the Mercedes SUV's and don't like it on the Hyundai. We went with a more subdued, generic Genesis wing. There are 3 mounting holes once you remove the emblem, otherwise I would've went with NO EMBLEM and just left the PALISADE lettering. i.postimg.cc/15qG1DYG/image.jpg
Awesome video as usual! Are you planning a car seat compatibility review as well? Similar to what you posted for the Palisade?
Telluride seems like an absolute bargain.. Nice review Alex!
Q: Why no mention of the Saab 9-7 with the V8?
😂
"But remember, this is a one-way intercom so they can't talk back." Haha!
The little cubby in front of the drink holders is what my wife and I refer to as the “French fry holder”! 😂😂
Lol! You guys are absolutely right! 😆
I haven't eaten [even a sandwich/fries] in a moving car in forever--certainly, over 25 years. Even on roadtrips--for a fast-food lunch--I'd rather finish a meal inside, or on an outside picnic table. Even if a meal is just average, it can hardly be enjoyed while driving, and concentrating on the road. But, we're old and retired, and never in much of a hurry to get places...
@@kenc2257 I believe they were just referring to that specific holder, it's shaped to perfectly fit a small or medium pack of McDonald's or Burger King's fresh fries. I personally, cannot imagine a long trip without some chips and a Monster/Red bull.
Whoa.....did Alex just teleport himself to another dimension and instantly return like we wouldn't notice, at the 00:14 videomark?
Thanks Alex for another great review -- I'm leaning towards the Palisade, but it's interesting to note the Telluride has several other less noticed advantages such as power folding side mirrors, adjustable rear-seat armrests, light headliner w/ dark leather on top trims, and that cool Stinger side-button key fob.
@Alex on Autos please remember that the Hyundai Palisade base trim DOES NOT include Blind Spot Monitoring. You have to step up to the SEL trim for that basic safety feature. In the Kia, it is included on all trims.
I like the statistics and comparisons, so much detail, makes decision easier.
We have driven a 2016 XC90 for the past 3 years. We've only used the 3rd row twice. With the captain's chair option you can put 2 or 3 more kids in the 3rd row without needing to flip forward. With five kids, we believe you overstate the importance of flip forward ability. The bench is the option that creates the need for the technology to roll the seats forward. If you get captain's chairs then the 3rd row is easily acceptable between them. We love you videos and my wife is considering Telluride or Palisade because of your video recommendation. We simply cannot feel good about the ridiculous service costs charged by Volvo. Otherwise, we love the XC90.
Volvo was once a "people's car", now has become luxury car with lots of tales of woe about cost of ownership and reliability problems.You can't go wrong with a Kia or Hyundai. I think I would rent each for a day to see which you think is best for you.
I own a 2017 XC90 T6 inscription, and my daughter and her husband and kiddoes have the telluride. Our XC90 is faster, FABULOUS feeling and very reliable, well worth the added cost for us, just because of its specialness and solid feel... but, for the grandkids, Telluride rules. Love them both.
My wife and I drive about 15-18K miles per year and have a small family with only occasional needs towing/hauling. We have test driven every mainstream midsize three row crossover in the last few months trying to find the best combination of features and value for our needs. In the end, nothing under $50K compared to the feel of the Telluride or the Palisade. Even if you cross-shop the CPO market for low mileage examples of larger and more luxurious cars or trucks, it is quite challenging to beat new examples of the Hyundai Motor Company options. Total cost of ownership (fuel, likely repairs/warranty coverage, etc) for the Telluride and Palisade make them highly competitive. If you have a small family, drive many miles per year, want to balance features vs. total cost, need a capable machine, and want something that feels nice to live with every day, I think these two win the day and even compete outside of their class.
I also think the Telluride is better than the Palisade. The Palisade is an imitation designer handbag, and the Telluride is a quirky rugged lifestyle wannabe that actually can cut the mustard for light demands. The Telluride just feels cooler and already has a bit of a cult following (partially due to its early advertising campaign to build this image). The Palisade also looks like its trying to be a luxury car without quite pulling it off. It's a bit like a budget Lexus LX that knows it isn't as good. The interior design scheme also looks and feels cheaper than the Telluride. The black plastic around the infotainment system is ugly and cheap, the fake aluminum around the lower controls is laughably bad and poor, and the push button transmission looks like a kid's toy. It just doesn't impress. The Telluride is more understated on the interior, which is a wiser play at the price point, allowing Kia to better disguise the budget materials.
My recommendation if you have the needs my family does: find a dealer that can get you a Telluride at MSRP (never pay above) and order an SX without the prestige package to save money and time (prestige packages cannot even be ordered right now due to demand). Alternatively, wait until Q2-Q3 2020 to see if the incentives and supply of Tellurides improve.
We're a small family, too. (2 adults, teenage daughter, big dog.) If I were choosing a vehicle in the larger midsize 3 row crossover segment, I'd go for the Telluride, as well. As it happens, though, we were shopping about a year ago and went with the Telluride's somewhat shorter cousin, the Sorento. The Telluride wasn't available at that time, of course, but if I were shopping today I think I'd make the same decision.
At 189" in length (7" less than the Telluride) the Sorento falls into a "tweener" category between compact and larger midsize crossovers along with a number of rivals including the Passport, the Santa Fe, the Edge, the Murano, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, etc. But it's the only vehicle in that category that offers third row seating. We don't use that third row often but it's very convenient when we chauffeur a gaggle of teenage girls around town or take six or seven passengers to a local destination that would otherwise require two vehicles. The Sorento is more maneuverable than larger rivals, fits more easily into parking spots, and can be fitted with a multi-bike rack on the rear and still close our garage door with room to spare. Moreover, the third row is surprisingly accommodating with legroom virtually equal to the larger Pilot, Ascent, and even the Telluride. And considerably more than the CX-9, and the Highlander.
The top trim (SX-L) Sorento shares a number of features and materials with the (SX) Telluride. The interior passenger space is less, of course. (154 cubic ft vs 178 cubic ft). But the Sorento is extremely generous considering the vehicle's size. As much as the Honda Pilot, slightly more than the Subaru Ascent and much, much more than the CX-9 and Toyota Highlander, all of which are considerably larger vehicles. Where it comes up short is in terms of cargo space behind the third row (11 cubic ft vs 21 cubic ft) compared to the Telluride. Need room for gear/luggage and six passengers or more, get a Telluride, or even better, a minivan.
Same transmissions and AWD systems but different engines. The 3.8L NA V6 in the Telluride is half a liter larger than the 3.3L V6 in the Sorento. But the Telluride runs the Atkinson cycle to save fuel at some sacrifice in performance so the performance metrics and fuel efficiency are close to identical.
Interior materials in the top trims are comparable with nappa leather and virtually identical seats. The Sorento has a bench second row that's currently lacking in the SX Telluride. More eye candy in the Telluride's digital display but the same infotainment system. Nifty camera view of the adjacent lane when the turn signal is on in the Telluride. I'd like to have that. Identical tow ratings though the Telluride has load leveling. (I don't tow so it's not an issue for my family.)
And then there's the price. Perhaps surprisingly the MSRP's for top trim Sorentos and Tellurides are nearly identical, a pattern that's found in Honda's Pilot and Passport. And when you think about it, simply removing six or seven inches in length doesn't necessarily reduce the cost of producing a vehicle that shares so many components and features. But in the real world, there's a substantial difference. We bought our fully loaded SX-L Sorento for $40K plus tax, title, and license. I suspect that much the same deal would be available today. On the other hand, even managing to purchase a top trim Telluride today is a challenge and very, very unlikely to be available at less than MSRP.
The Telluride (and for that matter, the Palisade) is an impressive vehicle. On a point by point scorecard I think it tops its category. And if our family used a third row of seats on a frequent basis, it would be my choice. But for us the Sorento is the better answer.
Great job on this review Alex! FYI regarding an entertainment system now a days kids want to use tablets... So a built-in ES is not that important. My problem with the Atlas is reliability. The Telluride has a great drive!
Good value information in you report as always, excellent job. I have a question about all digital displays in the dash and clusters that all automakers putting in all modern cars, will be reliable after at least 5 years of usage? I mean inside of the cabin can get very cold or hot (depending where you live), will those digital screen & software handle through the years?
Fantastic review! We love our Kia 💗.
The dealerships can't keep them. They sell as soon as they come in.
As soon they come in? I went to test drive one, and the dealerships said all incoming Tellurides that haven't even arrived at the lot yet were already sold.
If you want 1 be ready to pay over the msrp.
RIGHT!
@@javiersolarte9018 Not necessarily. My local dealer has a policy of not adding a second sticker to any vehicle. The downside of that policy, however, is that the waiting list for a vehicle is considerably longer than dealers who add a "market adjustment" sticker.
@@activersky8769 At this point KIA has not sold any Tellurides to the rental fleets.
Another insightful, informative car review. Thanks, Alex.
The leveling system sounds awesome. Forget about airbags, those are a nightmare.
I'm considering this as my next lease option...I still love my CX-9 but this is a real head-turner too. I just wish the LED headlights were standard and not a premium package option that adds another $1695 to the MSRP. Also, not too mention just about every dealership in South Florida are selling these bad boys well over asking price. To put it in perspective I got quoted for a CX-9 Signature for the same price as a Telluride EX AWD.
Kia nailed all aspects of the styling. It’s dang near perfect. The Palisade front end looks like the offspring of a 3 way between Lexus, Infiniti, and the Predator. I can’t get past that maw. Additionally, that $1500 to replace headlight is right in the bumper ready to be “busted” wide open in a simple tap while someone is backing into a parking space. The kind of tap that ordinarily would do no damage and you don’t even bother looking. Fail on both fronts. I’m getting the Telluride. I walked away from a 2020 MDX that was discounted $10k. It looks very 10 years ago and it’s minivan front proportions have looked awkward for 20 years. The new 2021 MDX already looks dated. The long hood telluride is just perfect and that grille is equally perfect. It’s the first car design in memory where I have zero criticism. Well played Kia, very well played.
Alex, can you do a Telluride vs Palisade comparison. Also, why do you suppose most 3 row SUV choose to reduce seating for its top trim? I cannot get 8 seat configuration from either top trim. Very frustrating since it's obvious people buying 3 rows want seating capacity, even if it's just for daily after school driving kids and their teammates to their sports games, etc.
If I had to guess, many (not all) people buying one for the space will not be buying the top end trim and the ones who do buy top end want more comfort, hence the second row captains chairs.
I’ve talked to a salesman at Kia and I think they will start making a three-seat bench available on the SX as a mid-year refresh.
@@dalex7777 yeah a salesman would know that when he doesn't know he is in the worst career on the plane
It stems from market research. Typically, buyers of top trim models have smaller families, often with older children, and greater disposable income. Captain chairs in the second row are much more popular among those buyers. Furthermore, KIA traditionally limits the range of options in their top trim models. That includes offering fewer color choices, for example. This enables the company to constrain costs and reduce the number of unsold, higher priced models on dealer lots.
In the case of the Telluride, however, KIA and KIA dealers (who determine trim mixes that are actually built) significantly erred in estimating how popular the top trim SX model would be. They expected the volume selling trim to be the mid-level EX. In fact, however, many Telluride buyers prefer the top trim SX and KIA has had an especially difficult time meeting demand for that model. As dalex7777 notes, the rumor is that KIA will offer a second row bench seat option in the SX in the future. Though I expect it will be next model year rather than a mid-year refresh since there are long waiting lists for the SX model with captain chairs. In fact, production has been slowed due to the shortage of those chairs from the supplier.
@@stephenhendricks103 thank you for the thorogh explanation. Just in this video's comments I have counted about 10 lost sales due to lacking 2nd row bench on top trim, out of about 100 commenters... 10%
The Telluride isn't one of the best 3-row crossovers. It IS the BEST. Period! No other offers the same value/features at this price point with looks to shame even premium luxury crossovers. Only the Palisade with which it shares the same mechanical platform might outdo it. They both will clearly be in the running for SUV of the year 2020. Easily in the top 5. Personally, I'd take the Palisade.
the Explorer is ultimately better.
@Sky King thats up to the market. we'll see which sells better! LOL, I think you know which will! and its not 8K more, more like 5K more...
@@DRII-yv1yt
There is a clear distinction between best buy and best seller. Of course the Explorer has a higher name recognition while the Telluride is a newcomer, but numbers don't always tell the whole story.
@@chiemekaa I'm only referring to transaction prices, which is completely supply and demand. The Explorer is the better SUV because it matches/nearly matches the Telluride's best attributes, all the while offering the dynamics and superior feel of a well balanced RWD platform, with multiple engine choices.
Before the Telluride, the 'old' FWD based Explorer set the standard (Alex even said so) and was more of a family SUV vs the Jeep Grand Cherokee which is RWD but pretty small with little cargo room. the new Explorer hits a sweet spot of RWD and family friendly.
Facts
What a review! Thanks for your hard work and effort. I'm currently in the market for a 3 row SUV with 2nd row captain chairs and Telluride certainly will be the one! #TeamTelluride
CX9 vs. Telluride. The battle is handling vs. room -- and one looks sexier than the other.
Considering the vast differences in features and the fact that the CX-9's sales have been declining year-on-year since September 2018 I'd say the comparison isn't something Mazda would look forward to.
Thanks so much for letting us know that the adaptive cruise control works down to 0 mph - so very handy in stop & go traffic. Remember people that the current Highlander doesn’t work below 28 mph. Also, even if you have a Toyota with ACC that works down to 0 mph (TSS v2), the lowest speed you can set cruise is 28 mph. Way to go Toyota encouraging us to speed. The only CUV I know of that you can set cruise below 25 mph is Mazda CX-5 - I was able to set it to 15 mph, which is SUPER helpful where I live because the speed limit in school zones is 15 mph, and there are 2 schools on a 3/4 mile road.
The Sorrento and most Nissan's do this as well. It's getting pretty standard on anything but the snob vehicles.
Man... You use cruise control in town in a school zone? Isn't ACC for highway drive with occasional bumper to bumper traffic?
KIA and HYUNDAI gives Toyota and Honda something to worry about. The extremely long (10 years/100K) warranty beats any competitors' warranty by far. It have a Hyundai Elantra and now, Telluride gives me a reason for the first time to consider purchasing an SUV from KIA.
Such a beautiful Kia, well done!
I've owned this one since May and I love it.
Which model
Wait, my mother-in-law can't talk back!!! I'm buying one today!!!! LOLOLOLOLOLOL... Great review!
Alex, any thoughts on the differences between the 2020 and 2021 models? Wonder if the premium currently being charged by the dealers for the 2021 model is worth it!
So 3rd row isnt for mother in-laws coz it has plenty of space😂😂😂
Great pick. It looks like a million bucks without costing that much relative to its segment.
Kia killed it with the Telluride. I’m starting to see them everywhere. Can’t find an SX trim at the dealerships and inventory is typically low since they’re selling so well. I just can’t justify buying another SUV while owning a Tundra Crewmax. I dislike my Subaru Forester XT (CVT sucks) and want to get into a wagon but my options are basically an expensive Volvo V90 or an orphan Buick (Opel) TourX. Great review!
Alex I just went to your website looking for a copy of the size rule you use to compare between vehicle sizes, but didn't have any luck finding it, it gets really confusing deciding, I have a CX-9 and thought the Telluride was bigger but it isn't, and I want to compare it to the Q7 or the XC-90 I can't because they are in different segments :( It would be great to have a ruler with all sizes despite the segment so we could compare between them.
Thanks Alex!
Where does the Subaru Ascent fit in this comparison? Thank you for great content as usual.
He said “or your mother in law way back there “ lol perhaps he meant in the trunk area 🤣🤣🤣
Telluride gets my vote over Palisade ✅💯
Very nice review! I'm leaning towards the fully loaded Palisade, in about a year, when getting one should be a bit easier. Also, I want RED.
I don’t think we care do we
Another great review, Alex! Keep up the great work! For me, I'd definitely choose the Telluride - #1 on my list for 3-row crossovers (next up, the CX-9). The Palisade, as nice as it is, looks too much like "The Predator" to get over it. Eesh!
Love your knowledge Alice ❤️ thanks for sharing
You're not going to go wrong with all three versions (Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis). It's all about taste. If you want the luxury, you go Genesis. If you want "upscale", but not the Genesis price, you go for Hyundai. If you the sporty and rugged one, it's Kia.
Majority of buyers buy 3 row vehicle for extra cargo.
Handling on Telluride should be rated as B, ride A- .
This is soft and when pushed in corners front suspension folds and feels unstable and not inspire confidence . Not even close to CX9 . Ride comfort is very good .
Steering feel ok and is rather isolated. Amount of room is where this tellurode is best at , so of of best mini van alternatives.
Small correction : even the LX gets a leather wrapped steering wheel 😀👍
Could you do a comparison between the Telluride and Honda Pilot?
Great review. Thanks! Which would you say is quieter, Telluride or Palisade? And how would the winner of that compare to Enclave? Thanks!
Hey Alex what is your opinion on the the Ascent’s CVT? Do you think I should stay away from it and choose the Telluride? You mentioned that the 2020 Outback’s CVT is good. Just need your opinion. Thanks in advance!! I follow your videos and they’re helpful!!
YOU & YOUR VIDEOS ARE AWESOME! Thank YOU So MUCH!!
One way intercom so you can talk at your mother in law. SOLD.
Hey! Love your work... I am curious if the Telluride has a WIFI hot spot for tablets and such? Also, we are thinking of buying a new car and we are stuck on the Kia Telluride and the Chrysler Pacifica, possibly Pacifica Hybrid. We are a family of 5. What do you recommend?
Alex, the unofficial product evangelist of Hyundai/Kia.
Not the only one, they're objectively knocking things out of the park recently.
He’s right, these Tellurides are selling so fast. I was at a KIA dealership for service and they said they got a shipment last month of 19 and already out. I saw one in the showroom and it’s a gorgeous SUV. It has a price of a full-size family sedan in the 30’s and 40’s so a much better value than all other 3 row SUVs out there. Love the rigged look on this beauty.
Great Work!! Have you thought of reviewing RVs using same video processes and your unique framework?
I think Alex may have leading info. The Kia and Hyundai have LARGER (quite a bit more space) inside, but their exterior dimensions are in fact smaller than
- 2020 explorer, pathfinder, CX-9, Traverse, Enclave, Durango
But are the same size as
- the Pilot, Ascent, MDX
And are larger than
- Acadia, Sorento, Highlander, 4Runner
Saw the Kia at the ny auto show
Very impressed
Interesting that few comparisons are with
domestic models
As a Korean guy: I'd buy this one day Alex.
Had no idea this was smaller than a Pathfinder or Explorer
Stephen Hendricks
Interesting, I guess thats due to the efficient design? Is it really that difficult to accomplish?
Mostly packaging and design. CX-9 is very sleek, sloped rear hatch, longer and pointy hood. Telluride is shaped like a box. There is also tank size which car reviewers rarely mentions, and other stuff going on beneath the car that we can't see.
@@ro0ster648 The main culprit in terms of the relatively cramped interior space in the CX-9 is the extremely long distance between the A pillar and the front bumper. It's nearly a foot longer than its rivals. It's necessitated by the massive exhaust manifold placed behind the engine and the associated turbo. It's an approach used by automotive designers for about a hundred years to suggest performance and potency but it adds nothing in terms of functionality. In terms of the fuel tank capacity the CX-9 has about 3 quarts more than the Telluride, not enough to account for much if any of the huge difference in terms of interior space.
Lack of a split tailgate is a deal killer for the entire segment at the moment. Sounds minor but look at the "tailgate wars" going on in the pickup truck space. Full size SUVs are no different. That no pickup truck comes with an enclosed cap standard is a dead giveaway that that market segment has serious issues going forward as well. The Scaringe designed all electric pickup/SUV is dispositive.
You're right for some reason this seems like a full-size body-on-frame SUV.. But smaller than the CX-9 even and explore?
Quite impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing how the reliability is over the next few years to see if it's going to be a good used car. I do really wish you could get cloth seats...I don't like leather, fake or real. I prefer the look of the Palisade dash (no stupid floating tablet) but the standard cloth seats make the decision easy for me.
Great review! The lower observed fuel economy rating of the VW atlas along with the jumpy throttle response, is enough of a negative to put this SUV at the bottom of my list.
Unfortunately, the color choices and black painted wheels on the Telluride SX isn't grabbing me either!
You do the best car reviews!!!
I wish you would have included the Subaru Ascent in your competitive group so that we could see the differences. Also, does the Telluride have autonomous rear braking? Thanks.
The best comprehensive review
Thank Alex
Appreciate all the insights you pack into your reviews! I vote Telluride!
So the Telluride and the palisade are his top pick, not just the Telluride lol. it’s hard to decide between the two models since they are essentially the same, however I think the Hyundai is still slightly a better value due to the power rear third row folding seats and 10 inch display. Great review as usual Alex!
Different strokes for different folks, Darrel. Personally, I'm not impressed by the slowest power folding rear seats on the planet. :) That's especially true when you have to give up cargo space behind the third row (21 cf vs 18 cf) to accommodate the power plumbing for the rear seat.
That is a great fact, I didn’t think of that. I’m torn between the two. The Palisade looks a little more upscale however the Telluride looks awesome also in a more rugged way. Glad I’m holding onto my Santa Fe Sport 2.0t for a few more years...I don’t think I could decide if I had to at the moment. 🤔
I've had my SX for 3 months now. It's awesome. Love it. I've also talked 2 other people into getting them and they are happy also. :)