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Cool dad among crossovers. The first test drive Kia Telluride

To match the attractive appearance and beauty. Here style reigns (even in the initial configurations), unlike the Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent, in which pragmatism and functionality are in the first place. The problem with them is that with this approach, expensive versions also do not pull on $ 50,000 in appearance and sensations. And Kia Telluride is free from this minus. The car tested by us in the top-end SX version can boast a salon that meets its price close to the value of a luxury car. Everywhere in the cabin there are high-quality wood inserts, soft leather and leather imitation finish, and on options the car has no equal in class. Moreover, the popular version of EX, which stands a notch, does not lose in style, only some premium “bells and whistles” were sacrificed.

If interest in the Hyundai Palisade, technically close to Telluride, grew gradually after entering the market, the big Kia, it seems, immediately broke the bank. Although the characteristics of both models are incredibly similar to each other. They have the same wheelbase, a total 3.8-liter V6 engine, the same 8-speed automatic gearbox and a similar maximum allowable weight of the towed trailer – 2268 kg. Kia is only 2 cm longer and 1 cm taller than Hyundai, but it has 4.6 cm more space above the heads of third-row passengers and 84 liters more luggage capacity. Perhaps these are the most significant differences.

Also, Kia Telluride is larger and more spacious than popular models like the Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander. Compared to these three-row crossovers, only the new Ford Explorer and the huge Chevrolet Traverse are ahead in size.

More importantly, inside Telluride is large enough for buyers to put it a step higher than the Kia Sorento, which also has three rows of seats. Everything is simple: Kia Sorento is a car for those who will sometimes use the third row for trips over short distances and / or for transporting low passengers. And in Telluride, the third row of seats can be used by anyone at least every day. This is true: with my height 1 meter 92 cm, I was able to sit comfortably in the “gallery”, although the driver’s seat and the second row of seats were pushed back to my height. There is plenty of space above your head, the backs of the seats are adjustable, and thanks to the large rear windows claustrophobia does not occur (you often feel it in places of the “third grade” in other cars).

As for the second row of seats, you can choose either a sofa that folds in a 60/40 ratio (in this configuration, the car has eight seats) or comfortable “captain’s chairs” (standard in the SX version). They can be moved back and forth with one keystroke, and for a surcharge they get a ventilation system – not the most common option for an SUV of any size and cost. Also, rear passengers will appreciate the abundance of connectors for charging gadgets: two USB ports on each row. And for the passengers of the second row, the jacks are originally placed in the backs of the front seats, which is very convenient for use. Ports in front of as many as three. In total, there can be from five (in the basic version of the LX) to seven (in the majority of complete sets).

In addition, the LX version is priced from $ 32,735 by default equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, which in other Kia is offered as an advanced option. In Telluride, the new 10.25-inch widescreen display on EX ($ 38,135) and SX ($ 42,535) plays such a role. It has wider functionality: the screen can be divided into two parts, for example, on the left you can place the navigation, and on the right – the audio control unit. And it looks very cool. Support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite radio is present in any configuration, while the EX version also includes wireless charging for a smartphone, a built-in navigation system and a Driver Talk function that allows you to broadcast back the front riders’ voices to be heard better. A similar option is also in Honda and Toyota. In the SX version, the Harman Kardon audio system is added to the equipment list.

Telluride LX (left) and SX (right)
In fact, all these multimedia gadgets, impressive both in their quantity and functionality, are only the tip of the iceberg: there is generally “a lot of car” for your money. It is worth mentioning the system of automatic emergency braking, which is already in the “base”, the system of retention in the strip and other developments aimed at preventing accidents. Our extremely test-packed car costs more than $ 46,000, but not a single model in this segment even has a similar content, even though some of them are more expensive.

On the move, Telluride does not have the sharp, gambling handling of Stinger and other Kia sports. Banks are big, but the car is well controlled. Suspension behaves well in turns, keeping collected on large bumps and a comb.

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