Kia makes the 2023 Telluride in ten trim levels: LX, S, EX, EX X-Line, SX, SX X-Line, SX X-Pro, SX Prestige, SX Prestige X-Line, and SX Prestige X-Pro. Every trim gets a 3.8-liter V6 engine that puts out 291 hp and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. A front-wheel drivetrain is the rule in all but the X-Pro, X-Line, and SX Prestige, which are made only in all-wheel drive (which is optional for the other trims). On the fuel economy front, FWD Tellurides return an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, while those with AWD achieve 18 city/24 highway. Most trims can tow up to 5,000 pounds, but the X-Pro trims can pull an extra 500 lb.
The refreshed Telluride is filled to the brim with amenities. The LX has a second-row bench seat that allows for a passenger capacity of eight. It also gets LED headlights and daytime running lights, heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, proximity entry (Smart Key), push-button ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear-passenger settings, synthetic-leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an in-car PA system (Driver Talk), a rear quiet mode, five USB-C charging ports, three 12-volt power outlets (one in each row), 60/40-split second- and third-row seats, and a dual-level cargo floor. The S gains roof rails, a twin-tip exhaust, a wireless phone charger, a leather-wrapped shift knob, heated front seats with driver’s power adjustments, and second-row captain’s chairs, which reduce seating capacity to seven.
The second-row bench seat is returned in the EX, which also adds power-folding side mirrors, a sunroof, a power tailgate, LED taillights, an extra USB-C charging port, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, LED interior lighting, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats with passenger’s-side power adjustments, second-row sunshades, and wood interior trim. The stylish EX X-Line receives the captain’s chairs, along with a handful of signature upgrades in the form of a self-leveling rear suspension, special exterior accents, raised roof rails, LED projector beam headlights, downhill brake control, a tow mode, and a heated steering wheel.
The SX doesn’t have the EX X-Line’s specialized appearance, but it does get the projector beam headlights and second-row captain’s chairs. This trim also incorporates LED fog lights, reverse gear tilt-down side mirrors with position memory, two sunroofs, Digital Key, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a HomeLink universal garage door opener, 64-color interior mood lighting, a more comfortable driver’s seat with memory and a power thigh extender, and stainless-steel scuff plates and pedals. The SX X-Line is a mix between the SX and the EX X-Line. The SX X-Pro, meanwhile, sports all-terrain tires and a 110-volt cargo area power outlet. The SX Prestige builds off the basic SX equipment list but adds rain-sensing wipers, a 10-inch head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated second-row seats, and an upscale headliner. While it doesn’t get the 110-volt cargo area power outlet, it does have one in the second row. The SX Prestige X-Line and SX Prestige X-Pro combine the contents of the SX Prestige with the SX X-Line and SX X-Pro, respectively. It’s also worth noting that many of those higher-level features are available for the lower trims via packages.
The Kia Drive Wise suite of driver-assistive technologies is standard in all trims, but more of these advanced systems are provided in the higher-priced trims. The LX, S, EX, and EX X-Line all get forward collision warning with moving object and junction turning detection, plus blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane following assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, Highway Driving Assist (works with the adaptive cruise control and lane following systems to make commuting easier), intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention warning, rear parking sensors, rear occupant alert, and safe exit assist.
The SX and remaining trims receive the new advanced forward collision system with junction crossing, lane change oncoming, side lane change assist, and evasive steering assist. These trims also get parallel exit blind-spot collision warning, a blind-spot view monitor, adaptive cruise control with machine learning, a more advanced Highway Driving Assist system (a.k.a. Highway Driving Assist 2), front parking sensors, reverse parking collision-avoidance assist, and a surround-view camera.
The Telluride’s infotainment system has been revamped for this mid-cycle refresh. Each trim gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen with integrated navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming with multi-device connection, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. While the LX, S, EX, and EX X-Line have a six-speaker audio system, the SX and remaining trims instead have a deluxe 10-speaker Harman Kardon system.