The Kia Telluride, the brand’s flagship SUV, has been named the Family Vehicle of the Year by the Hispanic Motor Press, a nonprofit organization that evaluates new vehicles for the Hispanic market in the United States. The award recognizes the Telluride’s excellence in design, performance, safety, technology, and value, as well as its appeal to Hispanic families.
How the Telluride Impressed the Judges
The Hispanic Motor Press Awards are determined by a panel of 24 automotive experts, journalists, and influencers evaluating more than 100 vehicles annually. The judges consider various factors, such as driving satisfaction, environmental impact, mechanical reliability, and overall ownership experience. The Telluride stood out among its competitors in the three-row SUV segment for its spacious and luxurious cabin, smooth and powerful V6 engine, advanced safety and infotainment features, and attractive pricing.
According to Ricardo Rodriguez-Long, the founder and president of the Hispanic Motor Press, the Telluride is “the perfect vehicle for the Hispanic family.” He praised the SUV’s versatility, comfort, and quality, as well as its ability to meet the needs and desires of Hispanic consumers. He also noted that the Telluride is manufactured in the U.S., contributing to the local economy and creating jobs for the Hispanic community.
What the Telluride Offers to Hispanic Families
The 2023 Kia Telluride is a midsize SUV that can seat up to eight passengers in three rows of seats. The SUV offers ample headroom and legroom for all occupants, as well as generous cargo space behind the third row. The Telluride also features a sliding and reclining second-row seat that provides easy access to the third row and available captain’s chairs for the second row that enhance comfort and convenience.
The Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivers 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that provides smooth and responsive shifts. The Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, making it suitable for hauling trailers, boats, or recreational vehicles. The Telluride also offers a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, as well as four drive modes (Smart, Eco, Sport, and Comfort) and two terrain modes (Snow and AWD Lock) that optimize the performance and handling of the SUV according to different road and weather conditions.
The 2023 Kia Telluride is equipped with a host of safety and driver-assistance features that help prevent or mitigate collisions, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Telluride also offers some innovative features that enhance safety and convenience, such as a blind spot view monitor that displays a live video feed of the blind spot on the instrument cluster, driver attention warning that alerts the driver if it detects signs of fatigue or distraction, a safe exit assist that warns the passengers if there is a vehicle approaching from behind when they open the door, and a rear occupant alert that reminds the driver to check the rear seat for children or pets before leaving the vehicle.
The 2023 Kia Telluride also boasts a sophisticated and user-friendly infotainment system that includes an 8-inch or 10.25-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, six or 10 speakers, satellite radio, and wireless device charging. The Telluride also offers some features that enhance the comfort and entertainment of the passengers, such as a dual-zone or tri-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, leather or synthetic leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 7-inch or 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, a surround-view camera, and a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.1-inch touch screens.
The Telluride has a starting price of $32,790, which is competitive among its rivals in the three-row SUV segment. The Telluride also offers a good value proposition, as it comes with a generous warranty that covers the powertrain for 10 years or 100,000 miles and the bumper-to-bumper for five years or 60,000 miles.
How the Telluride Compares to Other Three-Row SUVs
The 2023 Kia Telluride faces strong competition from other three-row SUVs in the market, such as the Hyundai Palisade, the Toyota Highlander, the Honda Pilot, and the Ford Explorer. Here is a comparison table that shows how the Kia Telluride stacks up against these rivals in terms of price, performance, fuel economy, cargo space, and safety ratings.
| Model | Base Price | Engine | Horsepower | Torque | MPG (City/Highway) | Cargo Space (Behind 3rd/ 2nd/ 1st Row) | IIHS Safety Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Telluride | $32,790 | 3.8L V6 | 291 | 262 | 20/26 | 21/ 46/ 87 cu. ft. | Top Safety Pick |
| Hyundai Palisade | $33,150 | 3.8L V6 | 291 | 262 | 19/26 | 18/ 45/ 86 cu. ft. | Top Safety Pick+ |
| Toyota Highlander | $35,085 | 3.5L V6 | 295 | 263 | 21/29 | 16/ 48/ 84 cu. ft. | Top Safety Pick+ |
| Honda Pilot | $33,725 | 3.5L V6 | 280 | 262 | 20/27 | 16/ 46/ 84 cu. ft. | Top Safety Pick+ |
| Ford Explorer | $33,470 | 2.3L Turbo I4 | 300 | 310 | 21/28 | 18/ 47/ 88 cu. ft. | Top Safety Pick+ |
As the table shows, the Kia Telluride offers a good balance of performance, fuel economy, cargo space, and safety, as well as a lower base price than most of its competitors. The Telluride also has a more upscale and spacious interior than some of its rivals, as well as a longer warranty. However, the Telluride is not the best in every category, and some buyers may prefer other SUVs that offer more power, efficiency, or off-road capability.
Conclusion
The Kia Telluride is a well-rounded and well-reviewed three-row SUV that has earned the Family Vehicle of the Year award from the Hispanic Motor Press. The Telluride offers a lot of features and benefits that appeal to Hispanic families, such as a roomy and comfortable cabin, a smooth and powerful engine, a host of safety and infotainment features, and a reasonable price tag. The Telluride also has a strong reputation for quality and reliability, as well as a long warranty that provides peace of mind. The Telluride is not without flaws, and some buyers may find it hard to find one in stock or prefer other SUVs that offer more variety or capability. However, the Telluride is a great choice for most families looking for a versatile and value-packed three-row SUV.
- Add new comment
- 127 views
