Kia Telluride SX Prestige 2023: Review, Features & More!

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the 2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige, a ride that's been making waves in the SUV world. If you're in the market for a family-friendly vehicle that doesn't skimp on luxury and tech, you've probably got the Telluride on your radar. Let's break down what makes the SX Prestige trim such a hot commodity and see if it lives up to the hype. Buckle up!

Exterior Design: Bold and Beautiful

The 2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige makes a strong first impression with its bold and boxy design. It's not trying to be sleek or sporty; instead, it embraces a rugged, confident stance that commands attention. The front grille is imposing, flanked by distinctive LED headlights that give it a modern and sophisticated look. The overall design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, making it a standout in a crowded SUV market.

One of the most noticeable features of the SX Prestige is its exclusive exterior trim. You'll find chrome accents around the grille, door handles, and window frames, adding a touch of elegance. The 20-inch alloy wheels are not only stylish but also enhance the vehicle's overall presence on the road. Around the back, the LED taillights are connected by a bar, creating a wide and planted look. The dual exhaust outlets hint at the power under the hood.

Kia offers a range of eye-catching colors for the Telluride, allowing you to personalize your ride. Whether you prefer a classic black or white, or something more adventurous like a deep blue or rich brown, there's a shade to suit every taste. The SX Prestige also comes with practical features like a hands-free power liftgate, making loading and unloading cargo a breeze. Roof rails are standard, providing additional storage options for those family road trips. All in all, the exterior design of the Telluride SX Prestige is a winning combination of style and functionality.

Interior Comfort and Technology

Stepping inside the 2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige, you're greeted by a luxurious and well-appointed cabin. Kia has clearly put a lot of thought into the interior design, using high-quality materials and paying attention to detail. The seats are wrapped in premium Nappa leather, which feels soft and supple to the touch. The front seats are both heated and ventilated, ensuring maximum comfort no matter the weather. The driver's seat has multiple power adjustments, including lumbar support, so you can find the perfect driving position.

The second-row seats are equally comfortable, with plenty of legroom and headroom for adults. The SX Prestige comes standard with captain's chairs in the second row, which not only provide more personal space but also make it easier to access the third row. Speaking of the third row, it's surprisingly spacious for an SUV of this size. Even adults can sit back there without feeling cramped, making the Telluride a true three-row SUV.

On the tech front, the Telluride SX Prestige is loaded with features. The centerpiece of the dashboard is a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, which is crisp, clear, and responsive. The infotainment system is easy to use, with intuitive menus and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get a premium Harman Kardon sound system, which delivers rich and immersive audio. Other tech highlights include a head-up display, a surround-view monitor, and a digital rearview mirror. With all these features, the Telluride SX Prestige feels like a true luxury SUV.

Performance and Handling: Smooth and Confident

Under the hood, the 2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides plenty of power for everyday driving, whether you're commuting to work or hauling the family on a road trip. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which shifts smoothly and efficiently. The Telluride is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on your needs and preferences.

On the road, the Telluride SX Prestige delivers a smooth and comfortable ride. The suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and potholes, providing a composed and refined driving experience. The steering is precise and responsive, making it easy to maneuver the Telluride in tight spaces. The brakes are strong and provide confident stopping power. Overall, the Telluride SX Prestige is a pleasure to drive, offering a good balance of comfort, performance, and handling.

For those who like to venture off the beaten path, the Telluride SX Prestige offers an all-wheel-drive system with a variety of drive modes, including Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart. There's also a Snow mode for improved traction in slippery conditions. While the Telluride isn't designed for serious off-roading, it can handle light trails and gravel roads with ease. With its combination of power, comfort, and capability, the Telluride SX Prestige is a versatile SUV that's ready for anything.

Safety Features: Peace of Mind

When it comes to safety, the 2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige doesn't hold back. It comes standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features, designed to protect you and your passengers. These features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Telluride also has adaptive cruise control, which can automatically adjust your speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

In addition to these standard features, the SX Prestige trim also includes some additional safety technologies. One of these is a blind-spot view monitor, which displays a live video feed of your blind spots in the instrument cluster when you activate the turn signal. This can be a huge help when changing lanes on the highway. The Telluride also has a rear cross-traffic alert system, which can warn you of approaching vehicles when you're backing out of a parking space.

The Telluride has earned top safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In fact, it was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, which is the highest rating a vehicle can receive. With its long list of safety features and its excellent crash-test scores, the Telluride SX Prestige provides peace of mind for you and your family.

Trim Levels and Options

The 2023 Kia Telluride is available in several trim levels, each offering a different combination of features and equipment. The base LX trim is well-equipped, with standard features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a suite of driver-assistance technologies. The S trim adds features like heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and a sunroof.

Moving up to the EX trim, you get leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The SX trim adds features like a premium Harman Kardon sound system, a surround-view monitor, and a blind-spot view monitor. Finally, the SX Prestige is the top-of-the-line trim, with exclusive features like Nappa leather upholstery, a head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror.

In addition to the various trim levels, Kia also offers a range of optional features and packages for the Telluride. These include things like a tow package, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a variety of appearance packages. With so many choices, you can customize your Telluride to perfectly suit your needs and preferences.

Fuel Economy: Not the Best, But Acceptable

Fuel economy isn't the 2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige's strongest suit, but it's not terrible either. The front-wheel-drive model is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, while the all-wheel-drive model gets 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. These numbers are pretty typical for a large SUV, but they're not class-leading.

In real-world driving, you can expect to see fuel economy numbers that are close to the EPA estimates. Of course, your actual mileage will vary depending on your driving habits and conditions. If you do a lot of city driving or have a heavy foot, you'll probably see lower numbers. On the other hand, if you do mostly highway driving and drive conservatively, you may be able to beat the EPA estimates.

If fuel economy is a top priority for you, there are other SUVs that offer better mileage. However, the Telluride SX Prestige makes up for its mediocre fuel economy with its spacious interior, luxurious features, and long list of safety technologies. For many buyers, these factors are more important than saving a few dollars at the pump.

Pricing and Value: Worth the Investment?

The 2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige isn't the cheapest SUV on the market, but it offers a lot of value for the money. The base price for the SX Prestige trim is around $50,000, which is competitive with other luxury SUVs in its class. And when you consider all the features and equipment you get for that price, it's hard to argue that the Telluride isn't a good deal.

Compared to its rivals, the Telluride SX Prestige offers a similar level of luxury and features at a lower price point. For example, the Acura MDX and the Volvo XC90 both cost significantly more than the Telluride, but they don't necessarily offer a better driving experience or more features. The Telluride also comes with Kia's industry-leading warranty, which provides added peace of mind.

Of course, whether the Telluride SX Prestige is worth the investment depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're looking for a spacious, luxurious, and well-equipped SUV that won't break the bank, the Telluride is definitely worth considering. However, if you're more concerned with fuel economy or off-road capability, there may be other SUVs that are a better fit.

Conclusion: A Top Contender in the SUV Segment

Overall, the 2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige is an impressive SUV that offers a winning combination of style, comfort, performance, and value. It's not perfect, but it gets a lot of things right, making it a top contender in the crowded SUV segment. If you're in the market for a three-row SUV that can do it all, the Telluride SX Prestige is definitely worth a look. Just be prepared to deal with long waiting lists, as demand for this SUV is high! You're getting a fantastic package that's hard to beat. What do you guys think?