2023 Kia Telluride

Trims and Engine

For the 2022 model year, the lineup for the Kia Telluride consisted of the LX, S, EX, and SX trims. As noted, each comes with its own additional equipment, but there are no changes to the powertrain. Across the lineup, each trim is powered by an Atkinson Cycle LAMBDA II 3.8L V6 GDI engine capable of producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Upgraded since last model year, the EPA fuel economy has yet to be determined. A standard towing rated up to 5,000 pounds has been confirmed (5,500 pounds for X-Pro trim).

Driving and Handling

Making the Telluride a little sportier, consumers not looking for the capabilities of the X-series, but still want a Telluride that can drive like it’s made for the raceway, an active on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) system is available on various trims in the lineup. Plus, for 2023, the Kia Telluride comes with four driving modes (Smart, Eco, Sport, and Comfort) to give the driver more control over how the vehicle responds and how power is distributed. An AWD lock feature is also available when that drivetrain is chosen.

Exterior Features

The style for the Telluride has been changed for 2023, with a new revised vertical headlamp design that will surely house automatic headlamps, a standard on all trims. A new bumper and grille still wears the classic Kia “Tiger Nose”, with a sharkfin antenna at the rear with new taillamps and additional wheel designs available on every trim. If the features of 2022 cross over, also standard throughout the lineup is privacy glass, a sound-absorbing windshield, and solar control glass. Only the S and EX trims came with a power sunroof, where as the SX came with dual sunroofs. The EX and SX come with a power liftgate and sound-absorbing front door window glass. Heated exterior mirrors with turn signal indicators are a lineup standard, but they are only powered on the EX and SX trim. New paint colors were also added this year – Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Wood Green.

Interior Features

If 2022 interior choices crossover to 2023, a Syntex upholstery will be the standard for the LX and S trim, with leather on the EX and SX trims, premium Nappa leather available on the SX. Choices for the X-Line and X-Pro have not been mentioned yet. Past the base trim, an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support was standard, and the SX came with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, also with 2-way power lumbar support. Available in eight- and seven-passenger seating configurations, the LX and EX comes with eight, plus a 60/40 split-folding second row seat.

The S and SX come with 7-passenger seating, with second-row Captain’s Chairs, plus a 50/50 split-folding second row seat. All trims come with a reclining third-row with a 60/40 split and one-touch sliding and folding second row seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear passenger automatic climate control. Past the LX base trim, LED Map and Room lighting and heated front seats are standard. Ventilated sears can be found on the EX and SX trims only, and the option of adding those options to the second-row are also available in the EX and SX trims.

X-Line and X-Pro

The X-Line and X-Pro trims for the 2023 Kia Telluride add a little more oomph to the design and capability of the already tough SUV. For consumers looking for more capability, they’ll find it in the X-Line with a higher ground clearance (+10mm), upgraded approach and departure angles, a Tow mode for optimized trailering performance, and an upgraded Traction Control System (TCS). Upgrading the looks, a unique radiator grille design, bridge-type roof rails, body-color door handles, exclusive 20-inch wheels, and “X-Line” badging adorn the outside, with an “X-Line” embossing on the front seat upper backrest. If that’s not enough style, the X-Pro­ adds exclusive 18-inch black wheels and 18-inch all-terrain tires (Continental), and “X-Pro” badging, plus a 110-volt inverter outlet in the interior cabin, and “X-Pro” embroidery. Exclusive interior color packages are available on both X trims..

Entertainment

Kia Connect has taken over UVO, with an upgraded full 12.3-inch display available in place of the 2022 10.25-inch touchscreen. Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are still standard, with an in-vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot can connect up to five devices with 4G LTE-based internet available. Kia also offers Smart Speaker Integration with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant from within the interior cabin. A six-speaker sound system is still standard, with a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system found on the SX trim only.

A new 10-inch heads-up display has been added as an add-on for projecting turn-by-turn navigation, speed, smart cruise control, and blind-spot warnings onto the windshield instead of the instrument cluster where the driver needs to look down to read a notification. All trims come with Bluetooth wireless technology and steering-wheel-mounted audio, hands-free phone, and cruise control buttons. Drive Talk for communicating with second- and third-row passengers, Quiet Mode to keep the rear rows quiet are also lineup standards. A new digital key that gives consumers the ability to lock, unlock, and drive the SUV is also now available for download on consumer’s smart phones.

Safety Features and Warranty

Standard on every 2023 Kia Telluride are dual front advanced airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, a rollover sensor, an anti-lock brake system, stability and traction control systems, a rear occupant alert system, rear-camera display, and LATCH child-seat ready anchors. Advanced safety is always being upgraded for Kia models. The 2023 Telluride comes with Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), and Forward Collision Avoidance with Junction Turning (FCA-JT) Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve, Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), and Forward Collision Avoidance with Junction Crossing, Lane Change Oncoming, Lane Change Side, and Evasive Steering Assist. Also available are Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA), High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear (BCA-R), Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Parking Distance Warning – Forward and Reverse, Surround View Monitor (SVM), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Safe Exist Assist (SEA).

Kia has a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program. The Kia 10-year/100,000 mile warranty program consists of 10-year/1000,000 mile limited powertrain warranty, 5-year/60,000 mile limited basic warranty, 5-year/100,000 mile limited anti-perforation warranty, and 5-year/60,000 mile roadside assistance plan.