The Kia Telluride is a three-row midsize SUV built for the US market, on sale through the 2020-2024 model years before Kia replaced it with a redesigned second generation. It shares its underpinnings with the Hyundai Palisade, and both were developed for North America, where three-row SUVs are a high-volume segment. The Telluride sold well enough to become one of Kia’s top US models by volume for most of its run.
Every trim uses the same 3.8-litre naturally aspirated V6, producing 291 hp and 355 Nm of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims and standard on the range-topping SX Prestige. Kia did not offer a hybrid or turbocharged option on this generation; that arrived only with the redesigned model.
The cabin seats seven or eight depending on configuration, with second-row captain’s chairs available in place of the standard three-across bench. Cargo space runs up to 87 cubic feet with the third row folded. Trim levels ranged from the base LX up through S, EX, and SX variants, several offered with an off-road-oriented X-Pro package and X-Line styling.
At 5,001 mm long, 1,989 mm wide, and 1,750 mm tall, the Telluride sits at the larger end of the midsize three-row class. US pricing spanned $35,990 for the base LX to $53,185 for a fully equipped SX Prestige X-Pro AWD. Kia sold this generation exclusively in North America.
