Rarely does a new nameplate enter the market and make such a splash as the Kia Telluride. For the first 3 model years, super high demand has made them very hard to find, but that’s not keeping Kia from improving this popular model. This is the refreshed 2023 Telluride, which has gotten a bunch of design changes, feature updates, new trims and more! So, is the Telluride even better than before? Keep reading to find out!
Please note that we got our hands on the Telluride quite early, so information for this new refreshed model is limited at the time of publication.
What’s New for 2023
- New X-Line and X-Pro models
- More towing capacity with Tow Mode, higher ground clearance, Continental All-Terrain Tires, Raised Roof Rails, and Downhill Brake Control
- Refreshed exterior appearance
- Refreshed interior with more technology and additional features
- Enhanced safety features
Trim Structure
LX -> S -> EX -> X-Line (AWD only) -> SX -> X-Pro (AWD only)
The most obvious changes to this refreshed Kia Telluride can be found by looking at the exterior of the vehicle. The Telluride retains the same overall design, however; the grill has been made more refined and slightly different. Each trim will have a slightly different “face,” with nicer finishes being added to the top models. The “Telluride” branding that used to sit above the grille has now been replaced for a Kia badge. The ground clearance on this Telluride will be 7.9 to 8.0 inches, depending on which trim you opt for. LED headlights will be standard on all Telluride trims now, including a new design and optional LED Fog lamps.
Heading to the side of the Telluride, you will find each trim level with a different set of wheels with updated designs for 2023, ranging with what we assume will be a variety of 18-20-inch options, dependent on trim. These wheels will cover 13.4-inch vented disc brakes in the front and 12-inch solid discs in the rear. Up to the mirrors, you will find power adjusting, heated, auto dimming, and blind spot monitoring mirrors on all trims with power folding on the EX and SX. The side retains a similar design from last year, measuring in at 196.9-inches. The only change on the side is some revised trim options on the lower door area. The rear of the car has also seen some refinement yet retains the same classy look the Telluride has always had. Newly designed LED taillights will be standard on all trims. Towing is now rated at 5,500lbs if you go for the new X-Pro trim.
The Telluride will be equipped with Kia’s long-lasting 5-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Telluride for 2023 will come standard with all of Kia’s basic safety systems, including:
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
- High Beam Assist
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear
- Driver Attention Warning
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Highway Driving Assist 1.5
- A more advanced 2.0 Version is now available for 2023
- Lane Following Assist
Next, we’ll head to the interior, where Kia has continued to throw in some more updates.
To get inside this refreshed 2023 Kia Telluride, smart entry and push button start will be standard on all trims. Kia’s Digital Key will also be available as part of the refresh for 2023. When it comes to interior materials, we are unsure of the full availability, but assume there will be a variety of leatherette and leather seating surfaces, with a sturdy, waterproof material on the new X Models. If anything like last year, the seats will be manual adjusting for the LX, 8-way power on the other trims, and 10-way reserved for the SX trim, and possibly X-Pro.
Specs: Not yet known for 2023
The 2023 Telluride will now have an available 12.3-inch digital cluster display, paired with Kia’s blind view monitor and an upgraded 10-in heads-up display. Sitting in front of the gauges will be a leather wrapped steering wheel. The Telluride will come with a standard shifter, and we assume rain-sensing wipers will be available on some models.
Technology will be plentiful within the Kia Telluride’s cabin, starting out with standard dual-zone automatic and wireless charging offered on some trims. Heated seats should be standard on most trims with ventilation reserved for the top models. Most Telluride trims should expect to have a six-speaker sound system, while the top trims will have a 10-speaker Hardon Kardon audio system. At the center of the Telluride’s cabin is a large 12.3-inch digital display on all trims, newly standard for this refresh. A backup camera is standard along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Navigation. A new smart mirror is available for 2023, along with auto-dimming and HomeLink remotes. A traditional or dual panel moonroof is also included, dependent on trim.
Rear Spaces
The rear seats will continue to capitalize on the Telluride’s design, with 42.4-inches of legroom and 40.2-inches of headroom. Captain’s Chairs and sunshades will be offered on certain trims in the refreshed Telluride, with heating and ventilation ability as well. For the third row, passengers will be pleased with 31.4-inches of legroom and 38.1-inches of headroom and reclining abilities. The tailgate will be hands-free power opening on the top trims, with 21.0 cubic feet behind the 3rd row, 46 cubic feet behind the 2nd row, and 87 cubic feet as a maximum.
Powertrain & Driving Impressions
Kia has no changes here in the engine department for this refresh. The only option is a 3.8L V6 engine with 291 hp and 262 lb. ft of torque. Paired with this engine is an 8-speed automatic and standard FWD, with optional AWD. The Telluride will consume fuel at 20/26/23 MPG for the FWD and 18/24/21 MPG for AWD.
Behind the wheel of the Telluride, we found the driving dynamics to be pretty much unchanged for this refresh, which makes sense with no changes under the hood. It’s not the fastest car in the world, but it will get you where you need to go, and quite comfortably at that. To get an in-depth perspective on our full driving impressions and more, watch our full review down below!
Pricing
Prices have increased with this refresh, with the base LX jumping about $3,000. All prices are for FWD unless stated otherwise:
LX: $35,690
S: $37,590
EX: $41,290
X-Line (AWD): $45,485
SX: $45,490
X-Pro (AWD): $49,885
Overall, this refreshed Kia Telluride continues to impress when it comes to practicality and value, offering quite a few luxury features for its price point. The refresh continues to build upon an already attractive vehicle, and more standard features on the interior and more rugged trim levels will be sure to give this car even more buyers than it already had before. Compared to the competition, the Kia Telluride sure seems like a winner to us!
Recent Comments