The Best Three-Row Vehicle From Kia (2024)

The Korean automaker Kia has been absolutely killing it lately. In just about every vehicle segment, they have a competitive car that offers amazing value and stalwart reliability. If you’re looking for a three-row vehicle capable of carrying the whole family, they have more than one option promising tons of interior space and a bevy of features.

Of the many choices available to you, there is one Kia which stands above the rest as being the best value for money. The current generation of the Telluride has been consistently praised as being one of the best SUVs on the market, especially given its extremely reasonable price tag.

We take a look at what makes the Telluride such a special offering, diving into how much you can expect to pay for one, how big its important third row of seating is, and what kind of features and capabilities you can expect. We also look at the other three-row options that Kia offers and why the Telluride is the better choice in most cases.

The Kia Telluride Is An Exceptionally Affordable Three-Row SUV

One of the main reasons the Kia Telluride is such an attractive proposition is its extremely palatable price point. Compared to the competition, the Telluride is cheaper and offers a ton more standard equipment, such as a usable third row of seats. The ceiling for luxury is also impressively high.

Trims

There is a large difference between the most affordable and the most expensive trim on the Telluride, with its starting price sitting fairly low and the high-end models featuring quite a large premium. Opting for the more expensive SX is something that we would suggest, if you have the budget, as it offers tons of value and a near-luxury interior.

The trim lineup of the Telluride might be slightly overwhelming if you're unfamiliar with what the X-Line and X-Pro packages entail. Models that come with the X-Line package feature some unique styling elements, including things like 20-inch wheels and a more aggressive looking front end. X-Pro models are better equipped for traveling off the beaten path.

New For 2024

Last year, the Telluride underwent a major styling overhaul, with major changes to the overall look of the three-row SUV. Everything from the headlights to the front bumper was changed. On the inside, Kia installed a new dual 12.3-inch screen layout which mimics the systems that some more luxury-oriented vehicles have.

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The 2024 model, however, continues largely unchanged. Amber-colored day-time running lights are now standard on all Tellurides. Instead of the metallic look from last year, X-Line and X-Pro models now feature glossy black exterior trim. Other than that, the SUV is the same as the 2023 model.

The Telluride’s Interior Helps It Punch Well Above Its Weight

The Telluride's bold exterior styling is something that people either love or hate. We think it looks the business. Something that no one can deny, however, is how brilliantly upscale the three-row SUV's interior is. For such a mainstream offering, the Telluride has the chops to compete with much more expensive premium SUVs.

Interior Space

The Telluride is much more spacious than some other three-row SUVs at this price point. It has seating for up to eight passengers when equipped with a second-row bench. Second-row captains chairs are available, though, which reduces passenger capacity to seven, but provides a much more upscale experience.

Storage space in the Telluride is also plentiful. Throughout the cabin there is a plethora of bins and cubbies which offer space to store your goods. In the back, the Telluride has plenty of space for cargo, with 21 cubic feet behind its third row of seating. Put the third row away and cargo capacity shoots up to 46 cubic feet. Maximum capacity is 87 cubic feet with both the second and third rows stowed.

Features And Tech

The Telluride is fitted with plenty of upscale materials, especially on the higher tier trims. The SX trim comes with the most luxury-like options, with features like memory foam in the driver's seat, a heads-up display, Nappa leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated rear seats.

Two 12.3-inch screens share the same bezel in the Telluride, with one screen operating as the infotainment system and the other as the customizable gauge display. The infotainment system features all the modern standards, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is an available feature, as is a 110-volt power inverter.

A Fantastic 291 Horsepower V-6 Powers Every Telluride

Usually, when you're looking at an affordable three-row SUV, the one place where you have to compromise is the powertrain. Many of the Telluride's competitors come with under-powered and gruff engines under the hood. Kia, however, has given the Telluride a rev-happy V-6.

Performance

Every Kia Telluride comes with a naturally aspirated V-6 under its hood, outputting a respectable amount of horsepower. This is a dying format in the era of hybrids and turbocharged inline-fours. While it gives the Telluride an edge when it comes to performance, the downside is that it is a little heavier on fuel. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic across the board. Front-wheel drive is the standard configuration, but all-wheel drive is available on every model.

The most capable Tellurides, those equipped with the X-Pro package, come with 8.4 inches of clearance which comes in handy when traveling off-road. They also come with a cooling system which helps to increase maximum towing capacity by 500 pounds over other models, bringing the max towing capacity to 5,500 pounds.

Fuel Economy

The most economical Telluride that you can buy are those equipped with front-wheel drive. They perform particularly well if you regularly travel on the highway, achieving up to 26 miles per gallon. Going with all-wheel drive unfortunately comes with the penalty of decreased fuel efficiency.

The Sorento And Carnival Are The Other Three-Row Options Offered By Kia

While we've established the merits of the Telluride, outlining its strengths in the three-row segment, Kia has some other options for families. The Kia Sorento and Carnival are still exceptional offerings that cater to large families, coming with their own sets of strengths and weaknesses.

Kia Sorento

If the Telluride is a little outside of your budget, the Sorento is another of Kia's mid-size three-row SUVs which starts a little cheaper. With a starting MSRP of $31,990, the Sorento starts a whole $5,000 cheaper than the bigger Telluride. The main place that you make sacrifices is interior space, with the Sorento featuring a noticeably smaller third row of seating.

A non-turbocharged 191 horsepower inline-four is the standard powertrain in the Sorento, which matches with an eight-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional across the board and certain models feature a 281 horsepower turbocharged engine instead. While still a good choice, the Sorento is smaller and less capable than the Telluride, which isn't that much more expensive.

Kia Carnival

The Carnival is one of the last minivans still offered in the United States. This fantastic offering is one of the most practical family vehicles that money can buy. If interior space is your top priority, then the Carnival is the way to go. It is also priced similarly to the Telluride, with a starting MSRP of $36,500.

The Carnival features a 287 horsepower V-6 engine, which is paired with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Carnival is not nearly as capable as the Telluride, unable to match its off-roading prowess or its maximum towing capacity. All-wheel drive is not an option on the Carnival.