Kia: What does the World Car Telluride offer?

So far, it's been fuel-efficient cars and e-mobiles that have won one award after another. So what does the Kia Telluride have to offer? Would it also find buyers in Europe and especially in Switzerland, which is enthusiastic about SUVs?

Typical appearance of the brand from Korea
With its typical Kia tiger-nose grille, wide track and vertically accentuated lights at the front and rear, the Korean looks sturdy and powerful. The rising trim element in the B-pillar has a modern look. And with a length of just under five meters and a width of almost two meters, it generously allows itself a lot of traffic space, which is mainly available in the United States.

Up to eight people have space
The dimensions correspond with a spacious interior: The Telluride offers space for up to eight people on three rows of seats. The trunk can be expanded from 595 to up to 2209 liters.

A wide, rather conventionally designed dashboard stretches out in front of the driver. The center central screen is intuitive to operate. The driver grips a beautifully drawn four-spoke steering wheel that contrasts pleasantly with the pseudo-sportiness of the three-spoke steering wheels in other SUVs.

As an option microfiber headliner
Particularly in the higher trim levels, it is noticeable how tastefully the Kia Telluride is also drawn in the interior and how high-quality they are.

This clearly sets it apart from its direct competitor, the Volkswagen Atlas, for example, which is not available in Europe, and achieves full premium level. The top model is even available with a microfiber headliner.

All-wheel drive for demanding terrain
Under the sheet metal, the Telluride offers proven technology. It has a front-wheel-drive architecture with optional all-wheel drive, which allows the SUV to live up to its looks.

Up to 50 percent of the power can be automatically directed to the rear axle. A 4WD lock mode can be used to fix this power distribution on challenging terrain.

The comfortably tuned chassis with McPherson front axle and multi-link rear axle is designed to understeer. It remains good-natured, whereby the limit range is announced early on.

Relaxed gliding is the order of the day
The Telluride's domain is not high cornering speeds, but relaxed gliding. This is also best suited to the only power unit currently available, a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine that goes by the lovely name Lambda II.

The power unit transmits its power to the road via an eight-speed automatic torque converter. According to our measurements, it propels the Telluride from 0 to 100 km/h in just over 7 seconds.

The U.S. cycle consumption of 10.2 liters per 100 kilometers can easily be undercut, especially if Eco mode is preselected.

Entry-level model costs from $31,890
And so the Kia Telluride presents itself as a cleanly designed, beautifully drawn car of today. This is available in the U.S. at sensationally low prices starting at $31,890.

You can only dream of that in Switzerland. The model will continue to be a big unknown, because there is no thought of an official import for the time being.

kia.ch