The Kia Telluride has been the big automotive smash hit of the 2020s. It’s big on space, big on comfort, and big on value. So many Americans fell in love with it that Kia dealers had trouble keeping it in stock during the pandemic.
So, Kia could have easily rested on its laurels for 2023. The Telluride, if left unchanged, would have sold like ice in summer. But Kia didn’t relax. For 2023, they gave the Telluride a significant update. A styling refresh upgraded the look inside and out, a new entertainment system gave it a more upscale feel, and two new off-road trims gave it added capability.
The result? It won our Best Buy Award in the 3-Row Midsize SUV category for a fourth consecutive year.
For the 2023 model year, Kia offers the Telluride in a remarkable ten trim levels, allowing shoppers to customize the right vehicle for their needs. The base LX model is well-equipped enough to meet most shoppers’ needs, with a 291-horsepower V6 engine, SynTex synthetic leather upholstery, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and one-touch sliding second-row seats.
But the top of the Telluride line adds near-luxury features for a non-luxury price.
Starting at $52,985, the top-end Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro has added performance features and luxuries that make it almost a rival to some luxury SUVs.
Here are some of the key features that come with the 2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro:
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Nappa leather seating
- Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel
- Smart power tailgate with auto close
- LED projector beam headlights
- X-Pro 18-inch wheels w/all-terrain tires
- Dual-pane sunroof with high-utility roof rails
- 12.3-inch driver’s instrument display
- 12.3-inch touchscreen display with navigation
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Surround-view camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Blind-spot detection technology
- Wireless smartphone charging
- 64-color interior ambient lighting
- Dual second-row captain’s chairs
- Heated second-row seating
- Second-row sunshades
- 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar adjustment, driver smart posture control, and thigh extension
- Auto emergency braking with pedestrian & cyclist detection & junction turning detection
Advanced Safety Features
Kia’s Drive Wise Driver Assist Technology suite has been updated for 2023. It now provides automatic emergency braking that can detect pedestrians and cyclists, even when turning. Rear cross-traffic collision avoidance also protects you when backing out of a parking spot or driveway.
Rear occupant alert with ultrasonic sensors helps remind you of kids or pets in the back seat (you’ll likely never need it, but you’ll be glad to have it anyway), and safe exit assist prevents child safety locks from disengaging if there’s a car approaching the rear doors.
The Telluride has always offered front parking sensors, but now they’re standard to the rear, too.
Upscale Interior Design
Kia designers are doing some of the best work in the automotive industry this year. The cabin of the Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro is lovely. The two screens — 12.3 inches for the driver and 12.3 inches for the central touchscreen — are mounted together to look like one huge, curving screen.
The Nappa leather seats are quilted in a chevron pattern that looks refined. And, while most automakers offer just black or tan interiors, Kia builds the Telluride with interesting upholstery colors like Sage Green or Terracotta. Alloy pedals lend a sporting flair.
It’s one of the most aesthetically-pleasing interiors outside the luxury classes.
Second-Row Captain’s Chairs
Like many luxury SUVs, the Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro skips the rear bench seat and puts a more comfortable set of captain’s chairs in their place. This is particularly nice if you’ll be transporting adults or teenagers in your Telly.
The Telluride’s third row is more spacious than those of many rivals. Neither the Toyota Highlander nor the Mazda CX-9 comes close. What’s more, all three rows get USB charging ports.
Outstanding Warranty
Every 2023 Telluride, regardless of trim, gets the same 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Most rivals offer coverage just over half that long. For many buyers, this is a crucial consideration — there’s a lot of peace of mind in knowing that major repairs may still be covered in 2033.
More 2023 Kia Telluride
Build and price your own 2023 Kia Telluride to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more. Or see Kia Telluride models for sale near you.
