Is The Telluride Still The Best 3-Row In America? | 2022 Kia Telluride Review 

I love my 19 Telluride EX AWD. It tows my 23 ft boat without breaking a sweat. Zero issues to date w 69K miles.

Alex, you are a true professional, I especially appreciate your comparison charts and reference them over and over gain for deciding between options. Please also consider cabin noise comparisons and rankings at highway speeds just as you do for interior/exterior dimensions. Keep up the excellent work.

A hybrid Telluride would be perfect!

We love our '21 Telluride SX. Got it for MSRP in May of last year (some dealers have been charging over MSRP since the Telluride first launched, even before the recent market craziness, but we found a great dealer). It absolutely nails what it is trying to be -- a spacious, comfortable, stylish crossover that offers a lot for the money. We came from a '16 Acura MDX and we like the Telluride better in almost every way.

Need to offer the 2nd row bench for the SX trim! There some option you can't get at lower level. Sometime we like to carry 5 peoples with stuffs in the back! Currently all the dealer are selling with 5k-7k MAP!

I would love to have a hybrid version of that vehicle. Kia could go the route they used for their other hybrids and I wouldn’t mind.

Love that you added in the tape measure segments to the cargo sections. Shows why you're one of the best in the business.

As always, you help me so much. This is my #1 go to for reviews

"Fuel economy hasn't been Kia's 'Forte' in the past" 🥁

What an absolutely fantastic breakdown and review here. I really enjoyed all the side-by-side detailed comparisons. That really helps!

Thanks for long form insightful comparative review. Great job Alex.

I love my 2022 Telluride. Kinda disapointed they changed the headlights on the 2023. But still looks the same. A very good SUV for the price.

Awesome review as always Alex. I have learned so much in last few years watching your videos, especially about AWD system, transmission, engines that many don't cover as in details as you. I noticed the towing connector 7 pin on back, was that standard as well? I am just curious as you don't usually cover those.

Getting the exact one in October, can’t wait. Thanks for the video 🇨🇦

Every Kia video of yours I watch, I just wait to be informed that fuel economy has never really been Kia's forte.

Fun fact, Kia's original logo was an oval because they were a contract manufacturer for Ford in Asia, and it allowed them to easily swap badges on the assembly line, depending on whether the car was being sold as a Ford or a Kia. It was literal badge engineering.

I love the look of the 2023 front end. I always hated how the amber marker light circled the headlight. Kia and Hyundai have really come along way in recent years. 15 years ago I wouldn’t even consider them and now I’d take a Kia over a Toyota only because Toyotas are so expensive and don’t option their base models well. And as far as reliability, I honestly don’t see much difference between the 2. From personal experience owning both a Toyota and Kia and all the people I talk to who own them, their in the same ballpark. It goes with any vehicle, as long as you take care of it, it should be reliable…except for a Dodge, Chrysler, Chevy, Buick, Cadillac or BMW

refresh is definitely a step forward. best looking large SUV.

I just wish I could actually find one at MSRP anywhere close to me. Ever since they launched, they have been marked up at LEAST $10k all around me before the pandemic even began.

just picked mine up, same exact model being reviewed down to the color, car is amazing, no regrets trading in my MDX

It's the best overall package in the non-luxury 3 row market and depending on your needs it's a better overall pick than some premium/luxury 3-rows too. For me after test riving one here's what I found its biggest strengths are; 1) Exterior styling - It appeals to the masses with a strong, rugged capable Range Rover kid of look. 2) Interior Size - Boxy design and generous width and height gives great interior room across 3 rows for the class in decent comfort. 3) Safety- All modern safety features standard across the board and decent led headlights. 4) Features/Functionality - Easy to operate touch screen and good use of easy to use buttons/switches. 5) Cargo - Again, design lends to great overall cargo space in it's class. 6) Quality/value: It's a great blend of decent quality and value at it's recommended msrp. 7) Warranty: Longest warranty in it's class along with Hyundai Pallisade. Weaknesses: (again subjective after testing): 1) Handling - Many won't care or notice and not a deal breaker but if you test drove it with say a Mazda CX-9 back-to back you should notice the Mazda more engaging to drive, which makes it a bit more sporty feeling and a better feeling of control and awareness of where the vehicle is pointed through the steering wheel. 2) Performance: Not a weakness but it could do with a bit more low end torque. Once it's up and moving it's V6 is decently strong. If it could match the Pilot's stronger acceleration it would be top of it's class in this regard. 3) Seat Comfort: I said above the seat comfort is decent, but it could be better. It's nowhere near as comfy as say a BMW X5/X7 in seat comfort but it's not in that class to be fair. The seats could do with a bit more cushioning and side bolstering. They are large for all shapes and sizes up but not great for side bolstering to keep you in place a bit better. 4) Fuel Economy: No hybrid option yet and with the crazy gas prices right now it's not the most efficient thing on the road for a family hauler. 22mpg isn't anything to write home about. 5) Engine Options: Kia could offer a hybrid/fully Electric variant in the future, or a more fuel-efficient turbo option or for now up the low end torque in the 3.8L. Overall a fantastic vehicle in it's class and it continues in high demand for good reason!

So glad you threw the Chevrolet traverse in here Alex, it's a criminally underrated vehicle.

Excellent presentation. Very informative. Sold!

Excellent work playing Telluride by Spyro Gyra, that wasn't lost on me 😀👍

5:21 I love how Alex coolly drops a Kia pun without skipping a beat.

“Fuel economy hasn’t exactly been Kia’s Forte…”. Good one. JAYZ, eat your heart out!

I was at the auto show in Ny and I have to say the palisade takes the cake. More luxurious and power everything.

The Telluride is still best in this segment as long as it doesn’t have those insane mark-ups!

Is this the quietest interior in its category?

Telluride is hands down my choice in this segment. I'm interested in what the next Pilot will offer. We will see it this year after the launch of the Civic Type R according to a leaked Honda roadmap from an employee. Only one group of spy shots have been displayed but that was over a year ago.

Kia logo looks a lot better than previous one. It would look really nice if the logo is blacked out too…

@alexonautos how does it stack up to the Palisade?

Alex, can you explain how you measure cabin noise? Your numbers are much higher than other reviewers.

I really like 7 seaters SUV... I got Santa FE XL 2015, then i changed to a Santa FE 2019 7 seaters (smaller than Santa FE XL) , then i changed to CX9 2020... I tried Honda Pilot during an half week, i also tried Palisade... Finally i decided to get Telluride 2022 GT line trim 8 Seaters ( same trim than SX ) . This is the best 3 ROW SUV so far i've ever had!!!! Little bit shorter than CX9 but much more space room inside !!! Reason why i didnt chose Honda Pilot : exterior looking was'nt enough stylish, the panel control LCD is ... so slow, laggy... Reason why i didnt choose Palisade : Exterior looking is a little bit too soft, not enough masculine style... Interior is Great, but i really don't like the button for Driving! I prefer to keep Gear lever on the Telluride. Telluride won the award of the world car of the year 2020, and also Telluride has been Named Best 3-Row SUV for Families for Third Consecutive Year in US

How does this compare to vehicles which are rear wheel drive ?

Hi Alex Why does the scorecard say compared to 3 row CUVs under $80,000? What’s a CUV? Also, if the Telluride is a step above the Sorento why so many references to the Sorento? I would think the competition for the Telluride would be the Palisade, Pathfinder, Pilot, Explorer, Durango and the Chevy (can’t think of the name).

Alex, what would you choose between new Pathfinder and Telluride? I think this comparison makes more sense than Highlander, Explorer or Traverse.

Love my '21 Telluride SXL Nightsky, got it for $2500 under MSRP here in Toronto, it was just there sitting on the lot when I went to the dealership, I know in US if you found something that's been sitting on their lot it's instant $5-10k markup. Good thing this car is not that hot here, but nowadays I'm seeing more and more of it.

Refreshes are likely planned years in advance. I'm sure the refresh was in the works before they knew it would be successful as it has been. I have a 2020 SX Prestige and will likely keep it for 5 years. The 2023 has some updates but enough trade in for.

It’s worth it to me to drive or fly out-of-state to get the car I want at a better price. A lot of people eliminate that as an option and only look at dealers within 30 miles.

I'm starting to like the teliride as a budget Suberban which it is the same sizeish as my 2003 Suberban but costs $10 less then even that... So it is great as a vaule option if you can't aford a modern full size SUV but be warned it's meant for on road only unlike the old Suberbans at least and I guess the Traverse. Which can go offroad and do other truck things like tow and have massive payloads.

Alex by the way the traverse is more mini Suberban then minivan as minivans/station wagons are more big car and Full size SUVs and more truck so offroad worthy, can tow and have massive payloads... Which if you want those in a Van you need to ge a big van aka a full size coverstion van. Which costs the same if not more then a Full size SUV.

It only gets 21 mpg ! How can it be the best?

If this car gets a hybrid model I am absolutely sold

I would take a telluride or a Palisade instead of a new Highlander but an older Highlander like 2017 2020 looks much nicer

I wish the telluride Xl rumor was true, longer rear end for more cargo behind the 3rd row would be sweet. Might need some suspension tweaks for increasing payload and likely a worse departure angle but let's be honest that last on is rarely going to be an issue for the intended market outside of some fantasy of offloading thier crossover like a wrangler

I'm hoping to get a refreshed Palisade next year. hopefully the prices come down

Ruined by dealers and mark-ups that lift the price into luxury brand territory.

I’d love a performance hybrid system like in the RAM and Toyota Sequoia

Markup to MRSP in South Carolina has been at least $5000 or more.

I like this version better than the palisade but don't care for the redesign and I LOVE the 2023 palisade. I have to say I don't care for the fact these don't get a pano roof. That (and I prefer the dial shifter) are about my only criticisms. I might buy a plug-in hybrid if they offered one. My only other issue is dealer gouging. I'm waiting until things calm down to get a new vehicle.

I really like the new logo. I think it looks classy and I much prefer it to the previous logo. Power folding seats sound cool but they’re slow. I prefer the manual function because of the speed. I’m a huge fan of the Nissan V6 motors but the amount of squeaks, shakes and rattles emitted from Nissan interiors will forever keep me away. Kia/Hyundai need to step it up with wireless phone connections on these top trim models. I also want them to allow me to purchase my large suv with 8 seats at the top trim level. I know the Highlander is technically in this category but the second and third row comfort aren’t even close. The Highlander should really be sold as a 5 seater. Better not let Sofyan hear you talking about those wheels. He thinks every vehicle should be all blacked out. I completely agree that the Highlander aligns better space wise with the Sorento. The Explorer looks handsome and has really strong motors but nothing more as fast as I’m concerned. SUPER thorough review 👍👍👍

if they can come out with a hybrid of this, they have a sales winner on their hands.

Honestly the only direct competitors to this are the traverse and atlas, and MAYBE the pathfinder on a stretch, the other 3 row crossovers compete with the sorrento. That is why kia has both.

Do the moon roofs open?

I love how Alex do Forte joke for every Kia review🤣

My wife wants a hybrid 3 row SUV bad. We got a new Sienna and it can't be beat, but she still has that whole "mini vans are lame" stigma. Looks like the Telluride still has a pretty unusable storage behind the third row compared though

The most common question you'll get if you own this is "What's a K backwards N?" 😆

I would blackout the rear end Kia logo to match the "Telluride" badging color

I like the new KIA logo but I would definitely remove it from the back...it would definitely look better and no one would wonder who the manufacturer is.

Kia is killing it with a number of their new cars and redesigns

Not sure why you went through all the effort here re-reviewing this. The 2023 model refresh revealed at the NY Auto show has pretty significant changes and new trims. The one you’re showing has the new logo.

Dealers seem to think so with their $30k ADM.

Hey KIA, you should pre-load this video on your infotainment system.

I've seen a few used or CPO models still holding value.

Love the new kia logo...

I wanted to buy a telluride but their dealerships pushed me to the 2022 MDX

I like the new KIA logo, but it's just so big. Also, the obligatory joke about how the new logo says KN.

Sorrento is definitely smaller in the 3rd row and Cargo area. Also sorrento reminds me more of a minivan than a SUV...

Hybrid option or a mildly tuned v6 turbo will absolutely transform the telluride/palisade. The NA 6 cylinder does the job ok, but it's lacking low end juice, not to mention how hyundai/kia programmed the transmission (lazy shifts)

Difficult to compare with the hybrid cars. the problem is there isn’t one available for telluride. We have a hybrid we use for around town and our telluride is our trip cruiser. That 28-30 on highway isn’t all that bad and a hybrid probably wouldn’t improve that too much for the price increase it would demand. But I personally am all for any electrified version of the Telluride.

Alex, they just released the 2023 Telluride and you're doing a 2022 model year review? lol

Honestly, I wished the auto makers would offer colored plastic cladding instead of the basic black molding. It just looks/appears/says cheap in my opinion.

kia needs to put the collapsible 2nd row seat from the carnival for easy 3rd row seat access...

Every dealer and their markups for this ride. This ain’t even affordable anymore lol.

Telluride and Palisade seem to kill the Pilot.

Late to be reviewing a 2022 when the 2023 refresh has already been announced.

pathfinder not in the category?

22.5 mpg....BLAAAAAAHHHHHH

Hmmm..... It needs the Stinger's engine in there.

Good luck trying to find a dealer that is willing to see you one less than 10K above MSRP. So, NO PRICE advantage...

Show the key in every video Alex, please

As a European, I find it bizarre that the Sorento is the small one. Here, it's the big one!

If you’re upset of having to pay mark up, then maybe a slightly used one could work for you.. Oh wait, they’re more expensive used than new. So what would justify the sale of the new ones at MSRP?

The new logo is tastefully done well and the old logo was dated and screamed cheap..👏🏿

Alex, love your reviews! I have been following you for years. Question: why are you not comparing this to the Pathfinder more? I think they are the two main rivals to each other. In your stats the Pathfinder is not even represented much.

If this only comes with black rims, i'd get a good deal on tires/rims set.

Right price? The dealer markups were ridiculous even before the lockdown.

Removing ugly Ki logo as a MUST!

Looks like it's riding rough as hell.

6:20 - interestingly, the Palisade *does* have 4-way lumbar. But I think it doesn't have folding mirrors. I would love me a Telluride but for medical reasons, I really need a 4-way lumbar 😞 But P L E A S E give me a bench seat in that top end trim you're reviewing! Same problem with Palisade 😞 Why oh why???

Weird no mention of the Atlas in this video. You can get them much cheaper now than really any of the comparisons mentioned.

I love the new logo. Leave it

How do people afford these things? Like my wife and i make slightly more than the average household but would not spend that much bread on a suv

Palisade is my fav

+$8,000 for "Market Adjustment" in N. California on a loaded SX. Totally NOT worth that kind of mark-up gouging

I Doubt Kia/Hyundai will shoehorn their 1.6T/Hybrid combo into the Telluride/Palisades. (I have a Tucson HEV, possible oil dillution problem and other odd design choices) So unless they are willing to develop a V6/HEV combo, which would bump up the price......

2021 owner here. Not loving the refresh for 2023…

Best third row in the business

Thought it would be faster than the Pathfinder you tested a few weeks ago.