MT GARAGE
ARRIVAL: 2020 Kia Telluride S V6
EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ
20/26/23 mpg
“This isn’t the fanciest Telluride Kia offers, but even the lower trims come packed with value.”
William Walker
Base price $35,085 As tested $36,015
Any readers unfortunate enough to have followed my disappointing year with our long-term 2018 Volkswagen Atlas know it was a complicated one. A cavernous, comfortable interior and gutsy V-6 were not enough to overcome the deficiencies in driving dynamics and a persistent steering problem. Although my opinion changed for the better after the steering issue was remedied, it wasn’t enough to leave me with a positive outlook from my year with the supersized VW.
Say hello to the newest member of the MotorTrend long-term fleet, our 2020 SUV of the Year, the Kia Telluride. Whether it’s battling all the new or significantly changed SUVs during this year’s Of The Year event or playing one on one against the Hyundai Palisade during a comparison test, the Telluride has thus far been victorious. I’m just hoping it will be the salve to help heal the wounds of frustration left by the Atlas.
On paper, the Telluride and Atlas look pretty similar. Three rows of comfortable seating: Check. V-6 engine feeding power through an eight-speed automatic: Check. Front-drive: Unfortunately, check. With an MSRP of $36,015, our Telluride S V6 actually comes in $2,250 less than the $38,265 commanded by the outgoing Atlas. With the spec charts aligning so well, this year should be full of comparisons between my old dog and the new pup.
Starting one step up from the bottom LX trim, our Telluride S started at an impressive $35,085. For comparison, the base Atlas V6 with FWD will set you back $36,490.
The S trim gets a few upgrades from the LX. On the inside we get a powered and heated driver’s seat, LED interior lamps, and a leather-wrapped shift knob. The most important upgrades are found on the outside and include 20-inch wheels, a more premium-looking front grille insert, a sunroof, dual exhaust tips, and satin chrome–finished exterior trim pieces.
It’s not that the LX version is a bad-looking vehicle, but the added touches that come along on the S trim make it look even better. Likewise, jumping all the way up to the top-dog SX trim continues the visual improvements with slick black-finished wheels, dual sunroofs, and LED headlamps and foglights. Alas, we will continue to be envious of those who forked over the additional $7,500 for the coolest version of the Telluride.
Our Everlasting Silver Telluride S is powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 making 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft, and it sends all that power through an eight-speed transmission to the front wheels. Does all of the power going through the front wheels result in any torque steer? Yes, it does. Also, in Sport mode, it will light up the front tires if you give it too much throttle from a
