Highlights of the new 2023 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride was an instant winner when Kia Corp released it back in March 2019, completely spearheading sales for Kia at the time. A large SUV, the largest in the lineup, the 2020 Kia Telluride won the “Triple Crown” of Automotive Awards. This consisted of winning the the 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year from North American Car of the Year (NACTOY); being named as the MotorTrend SUV of the Year ; and landing on a Car and Driver 10 Best list . Restyled and updated for the 2023 model year, this SUV introduced new X-Line and X-Pro models for consumers with a lifestyle of adventure.

Updated Design

The 2023 Kia Telluride gets all kinds of upgrades, starting with its looks. A revised vertical headlamp design comes standard with available fog lamps. Upfront, a new bumper and grille take the stage while still staying true to the Kia “Tiger Nose” look. The revised style finds its way to the rear fascia with new taillamps, additional wheel designs for every trim, and three new paint colors. Drive around in style with a Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, or Jungle Wood Green exterior. Inside, consumers are immediately greeted by dual 12.3-inch display screens providing the driver and passenger with vehicle information, including navigation and the gauge cluster (available). The dashboard has a new design for the trim panels and HVAC vents, as well as a redesigned steering wheel. New interior color packages were also mentioned in the PR, but the details were thin.

Power

Under the hood is an Atkinson Cycle LAMBDA II 3.8L V6 GDI engine capable of producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Available with a self-leveling rear suspension, the ride height is automatically calibrated depending on vehicle load to keep the SUV under control in various conditions. The 2023 Kia Telluride offers four driving modes to the driver, each changing the settings for powertrain, drivetrain, and steering for a better experience (Smart, Eco, Sport, and Comfort). Also available is an active on-demand all-wheel drive system that also takes into account the drive modes, with “Eco” and “Comfort” transferring up to 20- to 35-percent of the power to the rear wheels, whereas Sport”, “Smart” and “Snow” modes can send up to 50-percent. There is also an AWD Lock feature. Lastly, for those who need some equipment for their next adventure, the 2023 Telluride has a standard towing rated up to 5,000 pounds (5,500 pounds for X-Pro trim; more on that later).

Technology

Consumers will immediately notice the navigation screen has been upgraded for a full 12.3-inch display , and the rearview mirror has been replaced with an optional Full Display Mirror with HomeLink functionality . Also available for some convenience is a Smart Power Liftgate with “Auto Close” functionality . Kia Corp has been changing up the tech over the year, replacing the UVO infotainment with Kia Connect . New features include a digital key that gives consumers the ability to lock, unlock, and drive the SUV with something most consumers always have on them – their smartphone. An in-vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot can connect up to five devices with 4G LTE-based internet, and infotainment Over-The-Air (OTA) updates can always introduce consumers to what’s new. In addition, Kia offers Smart Speaker Integration with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant so consumers can use remote functions with their voice while walking out the door – always a neat plus.

The new tech doesn’t stop there. A 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system is available for the 2023 Kia Telluride SUV, as well as wireless smartphone charging. For charging up phones on long trips, there are six USB ports throughout the cabin, two in each row. Consumers will be able to listen to tunes using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with multi-Bluetooth wireless connectivity for up to two phones to stream audio. That makes it way easier to be the DJ from anywhere in the vehicle. Speaking of which, the new Telluride has the option of adding a new heads-up display , from 8.5-inches to 10-inches that provides the driver with turn-by-turn navigation, speed, smart cruise control, and blind-spot warnings. There is also Drive Talk for communicating with second- and third-row passengers, Quiet Mode to keep the rear rows quiet for sleepy passengers, and the Rear Occupant Alert system if a child or pet is left in the second or third row and the doors are locked – some people are as irresponsible as they are crazy.

Safety Suite

Kia has been upgrading the safety features available every year, with two added for 2023. Consumers will be able to enjoy Intelligent Speed Limit Assist to avoid those pesky speeding tickets (ISLA), and Forward Collision Avoidance with Junction Turning (FCA-JT) helps to avoid oncoming vehicles with drivers who seem ignore traffic lights. Other safety features, standard and available, include Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve , Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), and an assortment of Forward Collision Avoidance with Junction Crossing, Lane Change Oncoming, Lane Change Side, and Evasive Steering Assist. Sounds like the most upgraded safety system yet. 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).

X-Line and X-Pro

The 2023 Kia Telluride is introducing the X-Line and X-Pro this year. For consumers who want a more rugged style, the X-Line adds to the exterior a unique radiator grille design , bridge-type roof rails , body-color door handles, exclusive 20-inch wheels , and “X-Line” badging. Inside is an “X-Line” embossing on the front seat upper backrest with exclusive color packages . When it comes to engineering, there is a higher ground clearance (+10mm), upgraded approach and departure angles , a Tow mode for optimized trailering performance, and an upgraded Traction Control System (TCS). The X-Pro comes with all this, plus exclusive 18-inch black wheels and 18-inch all-terrain tires (Continental), and “X-Pro” badging, of course. Inside, the embroidery changes to “X-Pro”, and a 110-volt inverter outlet can be found in the cargo area. It all sounds pretty glorious. You can find out when the new 2023 Kia Telluride becomes available when you follow us on Miami Lakes Automall Kia social media or check back in our inventory for your Kia Telluride SUV .

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