2019 Kia Telluride First Drive: Successful in both luxury and terrain

In this test, Telluride was examined in detail both on asphalt and in the field.

Introduced in 2019, Kia Telluride was the largest SUV model the South Korean manufacturer has ever produced. This vehicle, which is the largest of Kia's well-known Sorento model, has a body up to 20 cm longer than Sorento. This imposing appearance of the vehicle, which shows its length and looks quite wide, is supported by the power of a 3.8-liter V6 engine. This engine produces 291 horsepower, and if the $ 2,000 4-wheel drive option is also taken, the vehicle does a great job even on rough terrain.

Of course, this should not make you think the vehicle is a great performance vehicle. Because of course there is some body oscillation due to the high and big body, and even if the weight of the steering wheel is good, the feeling is not very good. We can say that we find competitors such as Mazda CX-9 more successful among SUVs in these dimensions in terms of steering feel. But Telluride also does a very good job at bends with its solid suspension and rigid body.

Gallery: 2019 Kia Telluride First Drive

If we continue to interpret by remembering that Telluride was produced as a family SUV; We see that it has features such as comfortable suspensions, thick glasses, quality sound insulation materials. In this way, we can say that the vehicle feels very premium. Telluride, who was a guest of our test, also had SX hardware, that is, the top hardware. With this equipment, the US price is $ 41,490.

The transmission used in Telluride is an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 3.8-liter V6 engine doesn't have a turbo, so it's an atmospheric engine. It should also be noted that the gear shifts are very fast and smooth. Since the sound of the engine does not come to the cabin too much, the comfort of the vehicle seems very successful. The torque produced by the engine, which we mentioned at the very beginning, which produces 291 horsepower , is 355 Nm . This torque value is given precisely at

5,200 rpm.

In other words, the engine of the vehicle may have some difficulty in needing oxygen. A turbocharged engine would have provided even better performance for such situations. In other words, it may be a logical move for Kia to bring the option of the 3.3-liter twin-turbo powerful V6 engine in the Stinger GT model to Telluride. But let us state that we are satisfied with the performance of Telluride even in areas with low oxygen.

4-wheel drive Tellurides transfer 100% of the power to the front wheels under normal driving conditions.

When we look at the driving modes of the vehicle, we see a mode like Smart in addition to Sport, Comfort and Eco. This mode, which means “smart”, automatically switches between Sport, Comfort and Eco modes according to need. The Sport mode of the vehicle changes the responses of the transmission, throttle response and steering weight, while also affecting the power distribution of the 4-wheel drive system.

Telluride transfers its full power to the front wheels in Eco and Smart modes, while 80% of its power to the rear wheels in Comfort and Snow modes. In Sport mode, the power distribution is 65% front and 35% rear. In addition, if this lock is made in the vehicle with "Lock", that is the differential lock, the power distribution is equal between the two axles at speeds up to 64 km / h. This is a feature that will be very useful on difficult terrain in the field.

Telluride's 4-wheel drive system with these advanced features was combined with all-season tires called the Michelin Primacy Tour in our test vehicle. In this way, we were able to experiment abundantly on sandy and grounded soils. As a result of our trials, we liked the vehicle's 4-wheel drive system and body rigidity. In addition, the fact that no clicks come to the interior of the vehicle on rough roads is a well-deserved situation.

With the option of 4-wheel drive system, it is seen that fuel consumption is higher compared to normal Tellurides like every other 4-wheel drive SUV. The fuel consumption values ​​of the vehicle are stated as 14.9 liters / 100 km, 11.8 liters / 100 km outside the city and 13.5 liters / 100 km on average for the 4-wheel drive version. In addition, each Telluride has a towing capacity of around 2.3 tons. In EX and SX hardware, with a $ 795 option, several special equipment can be purchased for pulling operations. With this option, we learn that things such as the rear suspension that equal the load and the body height of the vehicle.

But there are also the points that Telluride lacks from its competitors in terms of options. Examples of these are things such as the infotainment display for the rear seats and the automatic parking assistant. If the option package called Prestige of SX, which is the top equipment package of Telluride, is also taken, things such as heating and cooling feature, automatic wipers, 110 volt input, head-up display, better quality cabin and ceiling tiles are included in the vehicle. .

We have said that Telluride is missing from its competitors on some options. But when it comes to standard equipment, this tool can easily cover this gap because it offers so much. Because even in the low hardware level LX in the vehicle, 8.0 inch touch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, keyless entry and start, leather seats, 5 USB ports, front collision avoidance system, blind spot warning system, lane tracking equipment such as assistant and adaptive cruise control.

Telluride compensates for the lack of some options with its abundant standard equipment.

The seating arrangement of Telluride's LX and EX equipment is 8-seat. On the more luxurious equipment called S and SX, the vehicle comes with 7 seats. The 2nd row seats of the vehicle also offer a sufficient knee, head and shoulder distance. Seats are also very successful in terms of comfort. Lastly, the third row of seats is also positioned slightly downward for comfort on long journeys. Of course, the 3rd row seats are not considered ideal for adults, however.

The 594-liter luggage volume behind the third row seats is close to being the best in its segment. When the third row is in use, we can only count Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse when we consider vehicles that offer better luggage volume than this. Telluride has a huge 2,463 liter loading area when the 2nd and 3rd row of seats are folded. This value is also a very ambitious value in its segment.

As we come to the end of our first driving article, we can say that the interior design is quite impressive, robust and ergonomic. Things like dual-zone automatic digital air conditioning, 6 USB ports, wireless phone charging, larger 10.3-inch infotainment display with excellent touch responses, 10-way electric and memory driver's seat on EX and SX enhancements increase indoor quality and comfort. . We can say that the only detail that feels poor quality in the interior is the faux wood materials.