2023 Kia Telluride Review

Name: 2023 Kia Telluride
Brand: Kia

Price Range: $25,500 - $43,399

Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Pro 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Great

8.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2023 Telluride is an impressive three-row SUV. It boasts a quiet and upscale cabin, impressive tech, extensive standard features, adult-friendly third-row seating, and a satisfying driving experience. It has a few minor weaknesses, but overall this Kia is a great pick for a three-row crossover SUV.

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Certified Pre-Owned Telluride

10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

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Price & Payment

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Average price: $35,244

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Kia Telluride model years

Kia Telluride for Sale

Pros

Plush ride and well-shaped seats offer all-day comfort
Spacious interior for large families
Lots of standard tech and safety features for the money
Driver assistance features work well and are easy to use

Cons

Less small-item storage in cabin than some competitors
Slightly jerky acceleration under full acceleration

What's new

Updated front and rear styling
X-Line and X-Pro trim levels debut
Updated interior with larger displays
Enhanced driver assist features
Part of the first Telluride generation introduced for 2020

2023 Kia Telluride Video Shorts

by Edmunds Test Team

Overview

Written by automotive expert Mark Takahashi

4/13/2022

The Kia Telluride is quite simply the best three-row SUV you can buy today. Since its debut in 2020, the Telluride has impressed us enough to award it an Edmunds Top Rated award every year since. In particular, the Telluride rises above the rest of the class with a smooth ride quality, luxurious interior, and a third row of seats that can accommodate adult-size passengers. On top of all that, you get a lot of features for the money as well as a generous warranty.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

1,084 listings

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2023 Kia Telluride
EX X-Line 4dr SUV
$31,000
great price
$4,341 below market
- 51,529 miles
- 7 Seats, 18 City / 24 Hwy MPG
- 67 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Bel Air, MD
Recent Arrival! Clean CARFAX. AWD 8-Speed Automatic 3.8L V6 DGI DOHC Dual CVVT*Your additional costs are tax, tag, title, registration, and electroni...
Vehicle History:
No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (18 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
5XYP3DGC5PG358597
Stock:
FU358597
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
04-17-2026
Price Drop
2023 Kia Telluride
EX 4dr SUV
$30,000
great price
$2,508 below market
- 53,141 miles
- 7 Seats, 20 City / 26 Hwy MPG
- 21 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Falls Church, VA
2023 Kia Telluride EX 4D Sport Utility 8-Speed Automatic Priced below KBB Fair Purchase Price! 20/26 City/Highway MPG 2023 CARFAX One-Owner. Gravity G...
Vehicle History:
No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
5XYP34GC2PG342891
Stock:
KFC250753A
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
04-18-2026

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Kia is also making a few updates to the 2023 Telluride, most notably introducing two new subtrim levels to the Telluride lineup: the X-Line and the X-Pro. Think of these more like option packages that can be added to a few of the existing trim levels to make them more rugged. The X-Line is offered on the EX, SX and SX Prestige, while the X-Pro is only offered on the SX and SX Prestige.

The X-Line features a slightly higher ride height and a reworked traction control system to better help the Telluride make its way over rough terrain. It also gains some exterior styling tweaks that include a distinctive grille, body-color door handles, bridge-type roof rails and 20-inch wheels. The lifted stance gives the Telluride X-Line about 8.4 inches of ground clearance, 0.4 inch more than the regular Telluride. That improves approach and departure angles very slightly, but at least gets in the conversation with the similarly outdoorsy Subaru Ascent (8.7 inches). The X-Pro's all-terrain tires are what gives it most of its added capability, and they are wrapped around 18-inch black-painted wheels. Additionally, the X-Pro adds a 110-volt power inverter in the cargo area and increases the Telluride's tow rating 500 pounds to a maximum of 5,500 pounds thanks to a more powerful electric fan for greater engine cooling.

Beyond the two new trims, the rest of the Telluride lineup gets a new set of displays, one for the instrument panel and another for the infotainment display, both measuring 12.3 inches and lined up side by side atop an updated dashboard. The updated infotainment display comes standard, while the larger instrument panel display is limited to SX models and above. Kia has also updated some of the driver assistance systems on the Telluride, making intelligent speed warning (a system that alerts the driver to changing speed limits and slows the car if necessary) standard and offering a front collision avoidance system that works at intersections and can track oncoming traffic as an optional extra. There's also an upgraded Highway Drive Assist system that can make automatic lane changes if the driver taps the turn signal while the system is activated, once again standard on the SX and above. Wrapping everything up is revised front and rear styling.

These changes only add to this SUV's appeal and help it continue to be an excellent choice for a three-row midsize SUV. Other possible models to consider include the popular Honda Pilot, the Hyundai Palisade (it's related to the Telluride) and roomy Volkswagen Atlas. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below for a full report on the Telluride's comfort, utility and more.

What's it like to live with?

We added a 2020 Telluride SX V6 AWD to the Edmunds long-term test fleet, where we lived with the vehicle for a full year to get the full ownership experience. While many test vehicles show their weaknesses, the Telluride reinforced our admiration. Note that while we tested a 2020 Telluride, most of our observations also apply to the 2023 model. Read our Telluride's 20,000-mile long-term test for more real-world impressions.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Great

8.4

out of 10

We drove the 2023 Kia Telluride on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8/10

How does the Telluride drive? The Telluride is a satisfying SUV to drive. Its V6 engine is responsive, though outright acceleration is ultimately average for a three-row SUV. In Edmunds' testing, our Telluride test vehicle sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, which is similar to the acceleration of the Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade. The brakes are strong and can bring the Telluride to a halt in a hurry. We recorded consistent stops from 60 mph in 123 feet, which is a bit shorter than average for the class. The brakes are also easy to control for consistent and smooth stops on the street.

The steering is light at parking lot speeds and weights up naturally in turns. The Telluride is stable when going around turns and doesn't exhibit excessive body roll. We also like that the engine's fuel-saving stop-start feature works smoothly and quietly. Transmission upshifts can be a little rough under hard acceleration, and the transmission can hunt around on certain grades, but these are pretty small concerns overall.

Comfort

9/10

How comfortable is the Telluride? The Telluride is quite comfortable. The seats are supportive and nicely contoured, with almost pillow-like headrests. Outside noise barely works its way inside, making for a luxury-car-quiet cabin even at freeway speeds. Engine noise is present, but it's never unpleasant or intrusive. For a three-row SUV, the Telluride is generally smooth-riding, although it can get a little rough over uneven pavement. The off-road-oriented X-Pro turns out to be great on pavement as well, providing another layer of ride comfort and insulation from potholes and road seams.

The climate control system is easy to use and properly regulates temperature in all three rows. While the seat heating and ventilation aren't the strongest on the market, it's nice to see them available for both first- and second-row passengers.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? The Telluride offers a very roomy and upscale-feeling cabin with easy access to all three rows. Passenger space is excellent in both the second and third rows. The space feels more open thanks in part to the abundance of large windows. Only front-passenger knee room is a little tight.

The controls are clearly labeled and grouped logically. Kia has repositioned the touchscreen closer to the driver, making a once extra-long reach a thing of the past. Visibility is excellent thanks to plenty of large windows. The camera systems and parking sensors are helpful extras.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? All Tellurides come with numerous collision avoidance and mitigation systems as well as adaptive cruise control that operates down to a stop. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration also comes standard, and numerous USB ports are spread across all three rows, although only one can transmit data. Wireless smartphone connectivity remains conspicuously absent. A standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is mounted in a housing that puts it right next to the gauge cluster. It gives all trim levels a large display that's easily reached from the driver's seat.

SX models and above also get a matching 12.3-inch instrument cluster display. The larger instrument cluster display makes the blind-spot view system more useful. The previous display only measured 7 inches and was small and pixelated, but the new one looks much clearer and works well in tandem with the blind-spot warning system to give the driver helpful information. Kia's Highway Driving Assist system is great. It accelerates and slows down smoothly while keeping the Telluride centered in its lane without ping-ponging from side to side.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? Cargo space is generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row and 87 cubes with both rows folded down. The hatch opening is wide and accommodating, and there's a useful underfloor compartment too. With a max towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the Telluride matches class leaders.

Small-item storage is a weakness. While there are several options for organizing small items, there's much less space for small personal items than in some competitors. Got small children? Child safety seats fit easily, and the car seat anchors are easy to find.

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The all-wheel-drive Telluride's EPA-estimated fuel economy is slightly below average at 21 mpg combined (19 city/24 highway). On the plus side, our test Telluride achieved about 23 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, indicating that the EPA's numbers are realistic. You can run the V6 on regular gas, unlike some rival SUVs that require premium gas to return their rated power and fuel economy numbers.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Telluride a good value? The Telluride might be the best value in the class for what you get. At every price point you just get a little bit extra, from the driving experience to the interior to the standard and available features. And in top trims you get a near-luxury experience. Overall, we are very impressed with the quality of the Telluride. You also get Kia's impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Wildcard

9/10

It seems like Kia went hard for a "baby Land Rover" feel and nailed it without the Telluride coming across as a knockoff. It's bargain luxury in a good way, and the Telluride's space, design and driving experience are a step above competitors.

10-year/100,000-mile
Powertrain Limited Warranty

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2023 Kia Telluride trim level differences

The 2023 Kia Telluride is available in five trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX and SX Prestige. There are also X-Line versions of the EX, SX and SX Prestige, along with X-Pro versions of the SX and SX-Prestige. Each trim comes standard with a 3.8-liter V6 (291 horsepower, 262 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available, except for the SX Prestige that comes with standard AWD. Highlighted features include: Compare the 2023 Kia Telluride trim levels in-depth.

Which Telluride trim does Edmunds recommend?

It's tough to choose from the Telluride's trim levels. But our choice for the updated 2023 Telluride is the SX trim. It offers the upgraded instrument cluster with the 12.3-inch display, as well as more advanced driver assist features, leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats that add to cabin comfort.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$219/mo

$296/mo

Avg. Large SUV

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Reliability

The 2023 Kia Telluride has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 5 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, ranks it #2 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent

#2 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$404/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

0.13x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

7.4%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

Recalls

5 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 25V494000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC347
Number of vehicles affected:: 201149
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
Defect Consequence:: A detached trim piece can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace the belt molding trim assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 26, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC347.

Recall Number:: 24V407000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC316
Manufactured from:: 2019-01-09 to 2024-05-29
Number of vehicles affected:: 462869
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Defect Consequence:: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC316.

Recall Number:: 24V214000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC303
Number of vehicles affected:: 427407
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.
Defect Consequence:: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Corrective Action:: Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303.

Recall Number:: 23V298000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC270
Number of vehicles affected:: 108936
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Defect Consequence:: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

Recall Number:: 23V035000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC262
Number of vehicles affected:: 31943
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Telluride vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the wire harnesses for the second row seat side air bags may become damaged, causing them not to deploy in the event of a crash.
Defect Consequence:: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the air bag wire harnesses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC262.

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles

Kia Telluride Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.5

49 reviews

5(47%)

4(10%)

3(10%)

2(8%)

1(25%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2023 Kia Telluride videos

Off-Road Tested: Kia Telluride X-Pro vs. Subaru Forester Wilderness | Just an Appearance Package?

We know, we know: The Kia Telluride and Subaru Forester are different classes of SUV and not directly comparable. But that’s not the point of this comparison test! In this video, we put these two family SUVs’ off-road trims — the Telluride X-Pro and the Forester Wilderness — to the test to see if they really do bring added capability or if they’re just gussied-up…

2023 Telluride Features & Specs

Trim:

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$35,890
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$219/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	21.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Telluride models:

Blind-Spot View Monitor: Displays a live-camera view, in the gauge cluster, of blind spots when the turn signal is activated.
Safe Exit Assist: Warns if a vehicle or bicyclist is approaching your parked car and locks the doors to prevent you from opening them into traffic.
Highway Drive Assist 2: An enhanced adaptive cruise control system that works down to a stop in traffic and can perform lane changes on its own if prompted by the driver via the turn signal.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover15.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Good
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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