Kia Telluride SX 2019 first drive

Kia continues the SUV revamp of its North American line-up with the new Telluride, a mid-size, three-row crossover. It’s a hotly contested, growing segment that includes US-made family transport staples such as the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

You’d be right in thinking that Kia already has a seven-seat SUV in the line-up, but the Kia Sorento is not large enough to compete in this class. The new Telluride – named after a Colorado ski resort – is 200mm longer, 100mm wider and 65mm taller.

Under the bonnet is a 3.8-litre, direct-injection petrol V6 that runs on the Atkinson cycle to mitigate the two-tonne SUV’s appetite for fuel. Its 291bhp is par for the course in a class where powerful, large-capacity V6s remain the norm. We drove the Telluride in Canada, where all-wheel drive is standard; it’s optional in the US.

The Telluride hit the market for the 2020 model year and will be joined this summer by its platform sibling, the Hyundai Palisade. Neither will be sold in the UK.

There’s no mistaking the Telluride for anything else. Its size is accentuated by distinctive, squared-off styling that gives it plenty of presence, and finished with nice detailing like the unusual orange, trapezoidal running lights.

The exterior style is matched by a classy interior, at least on the mid-range SX model that we drove. The wood and satin-metal dashboard and door trim look the part, and everything feels well screwed together. The front seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustment. A 10.25in touchscreen with sat-nav and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity is standard across the range.

You won’t be short of space, wherever you sit. Seating for up to three in the back takes the Telluride’s passenger capacity to eight, depending on whether you specify a second-row bench or two captain’s chairs. It’s still only children who will want to occupy those rearmost seats for anything longer than a short run in town, however.

With the third row down, the huge, flat-floored boot will swallow everything the average family will throw at it. With it up, Kia claims the 601-litre luggage capacity is still class leading.

On the move, the smooth-shifting auto’s ratios are well matched to the big V6, which is quiet unless pushed hard. Natural aspiration and a conventional auto remain our powertrain combination of choice for an SUV of this size, and Kia has nailed the calibration here.