2021 Kia Telluride Performance: What to Expect

Looking to Drive a Telluride in Edmonton?

The 2021 Kia Telluride’s performance is a big deal for drivers in the mid-size SUV segment. With its low center of gravity, it provides a smooth and comfortable ride with excellent handling on any terrain. The interior has been redesigned with an emphasis on comfort, convenience, and connectivity.

Is the Kia Telluride Right for You?

As Kia’s biggest vehicle, the Telluride is ideal for families. The California design team kept the robust family hauler shape while bringing the SUV back to its burly roots.

An Ideal Family Car

Yes, the 2021 Kia Telluride is an excellent three-row SUV. It features an upscale interior, airy seating for up to eight passengers and a spacious cargo hold.

Among its active safety features are vehicle blind spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking, as well as a straightforward infotainment system.

The Telluride offers the most passenger and cargo room among 3-row SUVs in its class, also scoring highly for safety and reliability, as well as receiving positive feedback from automotive journalists.

Comfortability

It is comfy and relaxing to drive the Telluride day to day, and its refined V6 engine makes it easy to drive. A high predicted reliability rating and Kia’s long 5-year/100,000-km powertrain warranty only add to the Telluride’s appeal.

Is the Kia Telluride Safe?

Telluride Crash Test Results

The U.S National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rated the 2021 Telluride 5 out of 5 stars for overall safety. Tests on the Telluride’s side-impact crash and rollover rated it five stars, while the front crash and rollover were rated four stars.

In all six crashworthiness tests, the 2021 Telluride received the highest rating of Good from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Crash Prevention

For grading collision avoidance features, the IIHS gave the Telluride the highest rating of Superior for its standard front crash prevention system.

Blind Spot View Monitor

Dashboard gauge clusters are available with Blind Spot View Monitors that show live footage of blind spots. The standard Blind Spot Collision Avoidance System and Assist-Rear will also help maintain your previous course if an object is detected in the blind spot as you attempt lane changes.

If speed limits are available in the area, Highway Driving Assist (HDA) can increase the cruising speed of the vehicle as well as change the speed limit.

Telluride Safety Features

Standard advanced safety features:

• Rearview Camera
• Rear Parking Sensors
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Forward Collision Warning With Pedestrian Detection
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Warning System
• Lane Keep Assist
• Driver Drowsiness Monitoring
• Rear-Seat Alert

Available advanced safety features:

• Front Parking Sensors
• Automatic High-beam Headlights
• Surround-view Parking Camera System
• Head-up Display

How Fast Is the Kia Telluride?

V6 Engine

The Kia Telluride boasts a 3.8-liter V6 engine that can deliver a horsepower of over 291 and 262 pound-feet of torque. It comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is optional.

In everyday driving, the V6 is brisk and hardy. The Telluride engine shuttles around the Edmonton area with ease, and it provides strong passing power on our city’s numerous highways. The transmission shifts smoothly and quickly.

All-Wheel Drive

There are even more features to enhance the performance of the 2021 Kia Telluride than just the single powertrain. While retaining a respectable estimated 12.6 highway L/100km, the vehicle provides control and traction on rough terrain.

Traction

In snowy and icy conditions, the Kia Telluride is equipped with available traction control modes and eight inches of ground clearance. The SUV also handles gravel roads and seasonal access trails with ease.

Wheels

Through tight turns, the Telluride feels stable and composed, and the self leveling rear suspension absorbs bumps and dips in the road comfortably, at least on models with 18-inch front and rear wheels. Although the ride is a bit nervous and jittery with the optional 20-inch with four wheels and low-profile tires, it is not uncomfortable. Also, the brakes slow down this SUV with confidence.

EPA estimates the fuel economy for the Kia Telluride would be around 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. For all-wheel-drive models, mileage falls to 19/24 mpg highway/city.

Towing Capacity

In order to make use of the towing capacity, EX and SX trim levels have a towing hitch.

It may look large and imposing, but the Kia Telluride drives just like a smaller car. It’s easy to maneuver in and out of tight parking spots due to its quick steering and light weight.

How Many People Can Fit In The Kia Telluride?

Cargo Space

Behind its third-row seats, the Kia Telluride has 21 cubic feet of cargo space, 46 cubic feet with these seats folded, and 87 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

Seats

Three rows of seats, fitting eight people, are available on the Kia Telluride SUV. There is also a seven-seat layout that replaces the second-row bench seat with two captain’s chairs. The Telluride can seat adults in all of the three rows very comfortably, a feat that few other midsize SUVs can achieve.

The ventilated second row seats will improve ride quality when going for a drive. The seating in the first and second rows is also plush and supportive.

Upholstery

The Telluride’s standard features also include synthetic leather upholstery and even a manually adjustable front seat for each row. There are power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and genuine leather upholstery.

This Kia Telluride is fitted with a high-end and stylish interior that borders on luxurious. The design is clean-cut and modern, and most surfaces are embellished with quality materials such as leather, soft-touch plastics, and crisp metal accents. Unlike many of its competitors, Telluride’s base trim level has high material quality. There is little wind or road noise.

LATCH Systems

The Kia Telluride comes equipped with three complete LATCH systems, one for each outboard second-row seat and one for the third row driver’s seat. Additionally, there are tether anchors on the second and third-row middle seats.

What Are the Other Features of the Kia Telluride?

Infotainment

The Kia Telluride has been praised for its user-friendly infotainment system. All models have a 10.2-inch touchscreen display.

Infotainment features include an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo, HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and five USB ports.

Available infotainment features: a 10.2-inch touch screen, navigation, an extra USB port, wireless smartphone charging, an intercom, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.

Knobs

In both systems, inputs are processed quickly, and the menus are simple and elegantly drawn. Additionally, there are physical knobs and buttons for adjusting the climate and audio settings while driving.

Speakers and Audio

All Telluride models come standard with popular features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition to the intercom, there are other options to consider, including a quiet mode for the stereo which mutes the speakers in the back.

Additional standard features: Smart Key (Keyless Entry), Push-button Start, and Remote Start

Other available features:

• 1 Subwoofer(S)
• 10 Total Speakers
• 3 Months Of Provided Satellite Radio Service
• USB Connection
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• USB With External Media Control
• Harman/Kardon Premium Brand Speakers
• Harman/Kardon Premium Brand Stereo System
• Satellite Radio W/Real Time Traffic Satellite Radio
• Surround Audio Surround Audio (Discrete)
• AM/FM Stereo
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Electric Power Steering
• Front And Rear Door Pockets
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Front Seatback Storage
• Front, Rear And 3rd Row Cupholders
• Front, Side, And Rear View Camera
• Keyless Ignition
• Overhead Console With Storage
• Power Rear Seat Easy Entry
• Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Universal Remote Transmitter (For Garage Door, Security System, Etc.)
• Audio And Cruise Controls On Steering Wheel
• Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror
• Heated Steering Wheel
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Turn Signal In Mirrors
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Three Zone Climate Control

Conclusion

The 2021 Kia Telluride is a great option for anyone looking for a vehicle with a spacious interior for everyday driving. It has a great amount of cargo capacity and good front row and third row seats. The Telluride sits as a good car properly equipped with enough power to get through long rides around the city, a smart navigation system, and great performance in volatile Alberta climate.

Throw in superb gas mileage, and you have a quality ride for you and your family.