David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/27/25 4:19 p.m.
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How much does this cost?” my wife asked after a half-hour ride in the passenger seat.

“About $54,000,” I replied. “It’s pretty loaded.”

“This one seems nicer than the previous press car you had,” she added.

That previous car? A Range Rover costing at least three times as much.

I can’t fault her observations.

Compared to the six-figure Range Rover, …

Read the rest of the story

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/27/25 4:22 p.m.

I feel like the Telluride is better than it has any right to be. Kia (and, by association, Hyundai) really knocked it out of the park.

It's been a few years since I drove one in L.A., but it still checks a lot of boxes–although the new hybrid Pallisade checks one more box.

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/27/25 4:37 p.m.

Oh goodness. Not sure how that one slipped by unnoticed.

Thank you for bringing that to our attention. It should be all fixed now. smiley

Kreb (Forum Supporter)
Kreb (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
10/27/25 4:50 p.m.

Where's the truck version?

Steve_Jones
Steve_Jones UberDork
10/27/25 5:42 p.m.

They seem to be good vehicles right up to 80k miles from what I have seen. Everyone I know that had one hit 80k got rid of them soon after saying "they just started having many issues" mostly electronic, not powertrain. 

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/28/25 9:15 a.m.
Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:

Where's the truck version?

+1 for this request.

Kreb (Forum Supporter)
Kreb (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
10/28/25 9:36 a.m.
Colin Wood said:
Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:

Where's the truck version?

+1 for this request.

Where the Santa Cruz, Ranchero, Baja, et al missed the boat is that Americans want our trucks to look like trucks. The Telluride has a nice truck-ish front end. Might as well finish the job!

Chris Tropea
Chris Tropea GRM+ Memberand Associate Editor
10/28/25 10:59 a.m.

I spent some time in a Telluride a few years ago and really enjoyed it, from driving manners to comfort and space inside. It would be near the top of my list for cars in that category. 

93gsxturbo
93gsxturbo UberDork
10/28/25 5:35 p.m.

Kia is pretty good at packing a lot of features in for the money, but man - we had so many issue with my wifes Optimas that we ended up with a Wrangler 4xe - and thats been more reliable with better build quality.

Little stupid stuff too - failed rear O2.  A/C that didnt work after 900 miles (ruptured line).  All the door panels delaminating, even the rear seats that literally never had anyone sit in them.  Like single digit amount of use instances, always garaged.  Delaminated after 30k miles and 3 years.  Passenger door power window switch died (again, used sparingly).   Drivers heated seat became intermittant.  

Granted, this isnt much comparison compared to a British car, but pretty pathetic for an Asian brand.

 

nocones
nocones GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
10/28/25 5:58 p.m.

We shopped the 2023s when we got our since departed Pilot.   They where kinda our "first idea" since we were moving from a 2017 Santa Fe.  

They were very nice, and interior feel is subjective.  My wife HATED the velour headliner and A pillars.  She said it felt like driving a velvet painting.  Also the Tech was very "I HAVE DRIVING TECH LOOK AT ME".  It didn't assist it was ever present.  This may be great for some but we much prefered we the more augmentive Honda system.  

Ultimately though the Telluride left the list as soon as I learned it did not correct the biggest issue with the Santa Fe.  Hilariously low Payload capacity.  1173 lbs.  For a 7 seat SUV..  that could tow 5500lbs?  Put 550lbs of tongue weight on, put 2 adult humans in it, and leave the race car tools at home.    Have 4 200lb adults?  Better keep the luggage very light.  

It was excellent but for its size and towing it NEEDS 1400+lbs of payload.  

Rramirez
Rramirez New Reader
10/28/25 6:06 p.m.

Interesting. We have a 2022 sorento (2.5T, awd, dct). We started off by shopping for telluride and palisade but my wife didn’t like the power delivery (she came from a Focus ST pre kids). Sorento drives amazing with great low end torque. Very minor issues but we did just turn 80k miles! 

BoulderG
BoulderG Reader
10/28/25 7:16 p.m.

My biggest takeaway is to confirm my belief: "Range Rovers are terrible."

J.A. Ackley
J.A. Ackley Senior Editor
10/29/25 9:55 a.m.

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