How I Would Buy It: 2020 Kia Telluride

So, I'm starting another new segment: How I Would Buy It! I'll discuss various new cars in these posts and how I would equip them if I were personally in the market. The 2020 Toyota Corolla and Lincoln Aviator will come next. Let's dive in!

The 2020 Kia Telluride is Kia's largest SUV ever.

Revealed at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, the 2020 Kia Telluride is a large crossover and the spiritual follow-up to the Kia Borrego from a decade ago. Kia’s marketing for the vehicle so far has positioned it as a more “rugged” alternative to other three-row family SUVs. It’s largely related to the also-new Hyundai Palisade, and will use the same 3.8-liter V6 engine good for 291 HP and 262 lb.-ft. of torque.

Trim levels according to Kia for the Telluride begin with the LX for $31,690, S for $33,990, EX for $37,090, and SX for $41,490. Eight-passenger seating, push button start, and Smart Cruise Control w/Stop and Go is standard. Fuel economy is rated at 20 city/26 highway/23 combined for FWD models, and 19/24/21 for AWD models - on par with key rivals like the Chevy Traverse.

For My Money...

SX Trim shown.

If my money were on the line, I’d get an S trim Telluride with Ebony Black paint, the Grey or Brown leather interior, and AWD. AWD adds $2,000 to the price of any Telluride and is always a worthwhile add on if available I say. Ebony Black paint is a $395 upcharge. Additionally, this trim adds heated front seats, second row captain’s seats, a power sunroof, and 20-inch black alloy wheels. That combination of features is all I need personally to be happy! This would bring the base price to $35,990 before any options or accessories, making Telluride a solid value play at under $40k, in classic Kia fashion.

For those who want additional features such as heated/ventilated 1st and 2nd row seats, Harman/Kardon audio, dual sunroofs, a towing package, wireless phone charging and more, I suggest you check out the EX and SX trims above the S trim. Kia’s Telluride is arriving at dealers now, as production in Georgia has already begun.

Looking forward to driving one of these myself at some point!

UPDATE 3/4/2019:

Top: 2020 Kia Telluride S; Bottom: 2019 Chevrolet Traverse RS

You can now build the Telluride on Kia's website! This is what my personal Telluride S with accessories would look like - final price is $40,140. This isn't as steep as some rivals, such as the Chevrolet Traverse, which in its blacked-out RS trim, offers leather seats, but stickers for roughly $6,000 more.

Copyright © 2019 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.