“Best” is a hard description to achieve, especially when there is such a large pool of “good”, and, “great” surrounding whatever you’re describing.
That being said, there is yet another SUV that is going to be hitting the market in the next few months that could actually be the best yet: the Kia Telluride.
So, what makes it the best?
Technically, we can’t say until it actually comes out and integrates with the real world for a little bit. We can say with confidence that it has great potential to take that spot.
To start, the Telluride is large. It has unseated the Kia Sorento as the largest vehicle in the Kia lineup as a true, three-row SUV.
More and more people are looking to get their families into large SUVs. But rather larger SUVs like the Chevy Suburban, Ford Expedition, and other high-end luxury brand large SUVs, the Kia offers the large size for less money.
Many of the Japanese and Korean automakers have always done the whole value thing really well. Today, when value matters most, and competition has driven quality through the roof, The Telluride gives you the space you need at a relatively affordable price.
And, its shape greatly contributes to its practicality.
Much like their own Soul, the Honda Element (no longer in production), and the Nissan Cube (again, no longer in production), the Telluride is, dare we say… a little boxy.
Though, it isn’t boxy in the sense that the Element and the Cube were actually boxy.
Its edges and lines are smooth enough to make it look modern and classy. But the Telluride’s overall shape also makes it look much more robust and masculine than the Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Mazda CX-9.
It isn’t a cookie cutter SUV like so many of the others in its own segment or the segments below its own.
The presence it possesses from its design elements is just one reason for its potential greatness.
The Telluride possesses a character that is lacking in so many other vehicles even as it sits.
That isn’t the only thing that gives it character.
The V6 engine also sets it apart from many others within the class.
The Telluride won’t be compared to the Suburbans, Expeditions, and Sequoias of the world because its price points, size, and perceived value are in a different class.
Rather, it will draw comparisons to the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Mazda CX-9, all of which are more similar.
What isn’t similar is that the V6 in the Telluride is the only engine available to the SUV. All three competitors above have a four cylinder engine offering.
The Telluride might lag just slightly when it comes to fuel economy, but it’s not far behind the others. And, while the Mazda out-performs the lot in terms of gas mileage, its four cylinder engine is undoubtedly put under greater stress to carry the load of a large SUV.
Horsepower output is at 291, which is healthy, but not overwhelming. Certainly it’s adequate for the class, but again, the larger engine makes it easier than the ubiquitous four cylinder to move the Telluride forward.
The engine itself has also been used for a while now. It has proven itself to be reliable, and has several cousins already in the marketplace.
Add all this to the increasing quality of Kia and Hyundai products over the past 10 years, and the formula for success is set.
A lot of people have been waiting for Kia to offer something like the Telluride for a long time. An increasing amount of manufacturers are jumping into the SUV game, and Kia has arrived just in time.
Value has always been their strongest quality, and it will continue with the Telluride.
Though the Mazda CX-9 is the sharpest-handling and best-looking SUV in the segment, the Telluride makes up for that with bold, aggressive, and stately styling.
The Pilot is one of the more well-rounded large SUVs that you can buy, but the Telluride doesn’t look and feel as fragile. Plus, it’s larger overall.
The Toyota Highlander is undoubtedly a better known vehicle and more revered than the Telluride will be. But, the Telluride will offer better initial value, even if it doesn’t come with the reliability record of the legendary Japanese automaker.
All of these factors will make the Telluride the best large SUV that you can buy.
Though it is new, it won’t take very long to make a name for itself. If you have been looking for a great SUV to buy for the family, the Telluride should be at the top of your list.
For some more information on the Telluride, check out Doug DeMuro’s review!
