The 2024 Kia Telluride X-Pro has been making waves in the automotive market, offering a blend of family comfort and off-road capability. Built on the same platform as the Hyundai Palisade, the Telluride X-Pro boasts rugged features designed to tackle light off-roading while providing a spacious and luxurious interior.
Priced around $53,000 in the States, the Telluride X-Pro is positioned as a compelling choice in its segment. However, if that figure seems steep, the range starts at a more accessible $36,000. Competing with formidable rivals like the Hyundai Palisade, Mazda CX-9, and Nissan Pathfinder, Kia’s offering boasts a potent petrol V6 engine under its hood. In this review, we’ll dissect its features, performance, and off-road prowess, providing a comprehensive look at what the Telluride X-Pro brings to the table.
Exterior
Diving into the exterior aesthetics of the 2024 Kia Telluride X-Pro, there’s a plethora of optional colours to choose from, each adding a unique touch to the SUV. Priced around $500, I’m particularly drawn to the Nardo Gray option, a colour that’s currently in vogue across various brands, including recent iterations of the Lexus GX.
At the forefront, the Telluride X-Pro showcases a commanding presence with its imposing grille, although much of it is closed off, primarily serving as a design element rather than for cooling purposes. Underneath the hood lies a naturally aspirated petrol V6 engine, complemented by an all-wheel-drive configuration—a notable departure from its Australian counterpart, the Palisade, which typically comes with front-wheel drive when paired with the V6 engine.
Moving around the vehicle, attention is drawn to the full LED headlights adorned with orange running lights, adding a distinctive flair to the Telluride X-Pro’s nighttime presence. The side profile reveals a rugged stance, accentuated by a set of 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in beefy all-terrain tyres, signalling the SUV’s off-road prowess. With a slightly higher ground clearance of over 200 mm, Center diff lock, and self-levelling rear springs, this variant is well-equipped to tackle diverse terrain.
Further enhancing its exterior appeal are body-coloured wing mirrors, roof rails, and privacy glass, contributing to the Telluride X-Pro’s bold and adventurous persona. Transitioning to the rear, LED taillights with a teardrop design, dual exhaust pipes, and Telluride branding underscore the SUV’s modern and sporty aesthetic.
Interior
Stepping inside the Kia Telluride X-Pro, one is greeted by a host of premium features and thoughtful design elements. The key itself reflects Kia’s commitment to modernity, echoing the design seen in the EV9, complete with a proximity sensing feature and remote start function for added convenience.
The interior ambience exudes a sense of luxury, with wood grain trim adorning the dashboard and soft-touch materials throughout. While the infotainment system may not boast the latest wireless connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it still impresses with its user-friendly interface and a plethora of innovative functions, including Passenger Talk, Voice Memos, and Quiet Mode. Additionally, the inclusion of HD Radio Data and traffic information adds another layer of convenience for occupants.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Moving to the centre of attention, the dual 12.3-inch displays offer a seamless integration of technology and comfort features, including USB and USB-C connectivity, wireless phone charging, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The top-tier SX Prestige trim level elevates the experience with electric seat adjustment, a digital rearview mirror, and a luxurious suede Alcantara-style headlining.
Practicality
Transitioning to the second row, occupants are treated to a spacious and comfortable environment, especially in the six-seat configuration with two captain’s chairs. With ample knee room, toe room, and headroom, passengers can relax and enjoy the journey, supported by heated and cooled seats, privacy blinds, and individual climate control settings.
Venturing into the third row, while legroom may be limited for adults, the inclusion of USB-C connectivity, cup holders, and air vents ensures a comfortable ride for all passengers. Furthermore, the versatile cargo space offers impressive storage capacity, with over 240 litres behind the third row, expandable to over 2,400 litres with both rear rows folded down.
Safety and Driver assistance features
On the safety front, the Telluride X-Pro doesn’t disappoint, boasting a suite of advanced driver assistance features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and radar cruise control. The inclusion of a 360-degree camera system further enhances safety and manoeuvrability in various driving scenarios.
On the Road Performance
Alright, so we’ve just hit the road in the Kia Telluride X-Pro, and I have to say, it feels quite familiar to the Palisade. It’s interesting how they share the same underpinnings but come from different factories and likely different engineering teams. The Telluride is strictly built for the US market, and you can feel that intention in its design and performance.
Engine and Power
Powered by a 3.8L naturally aspirated 6-cylinder petrol engine, it generates 217 kW of power and 355 Nm of torque. While it’s not a huge amount of power, the engine has a good sound, but you do need to rev it out a bit to get moving, especially since it reaches peak torque later in the rev band. It also comes with stop-start functionality to save fuel, though it only activates when the car comes to a complete stop.
One significant difference between the Telluride and the Palisade is that the Telluride is available in all-wheel drive, which provides better traction, especially in rough conditions. The torque distribution is predominantly to the front wheels, but it can send power to the rear as needed.
Fuel Economy
In terms of fuel economy, it’s a bit thirsty, averaging around 15.1 miles per gallon, though the official figure is a little over 11 litres per 100 kilometres. Hopefully, Kia will develop a hybrid version down the line to improve fuel efficiency.
Drive modes
The Kia Telluride X-Pro offers various drive modes, including Comfort, Sport, Smart, Eco, and Snow. Additionally, it features a centre differential lock, which provides better traction in off-road situations. In Sport mode, it still feels planted on the road, despite its size and the all-terrain tyres surprisingly offer good traction.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, the ride is quite decent, thanks in part to the all-terrain tyres. While there is some road noise, especially on chip roads, overall visibility is great, and the blind spot monitoring system is a helpful addition.
Towing Capacity
For towing, the Kia Telluride X-Pro offers a tow mode with a capacity of around 2500 kilograms, along with helper springs on the rear to maintain balance when towing heavy loads.
Off-Road Capability:
Ready to explore the great outdoors? The Kia Telluride X-Pro is up to the challenge. With its rugged construction and advanced off-road features, this SUV is built to tackle rough terrain with confidence. Whether you’re traversing rocky trails or navigating muddy roads, the Telluride X-Pro’s all-wheel drive system, centre diff lock, and traction control ensure maximum traction and stability in any situation. Plus, with its generous ground clearance and durable all-terrain tyres, you can conquer steep inclines and uneven surfaces with ease, making every off-road adventure a thrilling experience.
Pricing
In terms of pricing, The 2024 Kia Telluride X-Pro starts at $51,880 MSRP.
