Hello friend! I hope you’re doing well. Today I want to chat about the Kia Telluride, a big-three-row SUV that’s been getting a lot of attention. I’ll write this in an easy, normal style—like we’re just two people talking about a car we like. I’ll cover how it looks, drives, what’s special, and yes, in our town what it would cost. Let’s dive in.
Meet the Kia Telluride
Right off the bat, the Kia Telluride is a three-row SUV aimed at families or anyone who wants space and comfort. According to Kia’s own US site, the starting price in the US is US $36,390 for the base model.
Now, if we translate that roughly into Indian rupees (given current rates), it would be somewhere around ₹30-35 lakh depending on import duties, taxes and local adjustments (just a rough idea for our town in India). It may be higher though because large imported SUVs cost more here.
So brother, when we say “in our town”, imagine something like “around ₹30-35 lakh onward” (or more, depending on local taxes) for the base version. For higher trims, it could easily go above that.
Design & Presence
One thing you notice instantly is that the Kia Telluride has a bold, boxy and premium look. It doesn’t try to hide being a big SUV. That’s a good thing if you want presence.
Inside, space is generous. You really feel like you’ve got a roomy cabin for seven or eight people (depending on seat configuration). The third row is usable rather than just a token.
Do you know it’s very special that Kia designed this SUV especially for the US market? According to its Wikipedia entry, it was the first Kia built with US design work specifically for America. So it’s not just a rebadged small car—it’s made to compete with big players.
Engine & Performance
Now, how does it drive? Let’s get into the heart of the beast. Under the hood is a 3.8 litre V6 engine, producing about 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
That means, yes, it has real power. On our Indian roads, if it were imported and tuned for local fuel, you’d feel it when merging, overtaking, going on the highway.
The transmission is an 8-speed automatic. And you’ve got the option of all-wheel drive (AWD) in many trims—helpful if you deal with rough roads, monsoon water‐logging, or occasional off-road bumps.
But friend, one honest note: some reviewers say the ride is a little “firm” on rough pavement. Meaning if your local roads are very broken, you might feel the bumps more than a softer ride SUV.
Features & Comfort
Let’s talk features—because with a big SUV like this, you expect more than just seats and engine.
In many trims, the Kia Telluride offers premium features, including large infotainment screens, high-quality upholstery, a good sound system, and second-row comfort. According to Wikipedia summary: “a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio, wireless smartphone charging… heated and ventilated seats…” So yes, brother, you’ll feel like you’re in a comfortable, premium car.
Also, in terms of space: the cargo area is decent. According to one spec sheet, the total seating is 7 (in a common configuration) and cargo behind the third row is around 21 cubic feet (which is okay). So if you pack for a family weekend trip, you’ll manage.
Safety & Technology
Safety is important. The Kia Telluride has many driver-assist features: collision avoidance, lane change assist, and many sensors. On the Kia spec site, you’ll see things like “Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/ Pedestrian, Cyclist, Junction Turning” etc.
Good to know: in real-life usage, these features boost confidence—especially when you have kids or passengers in the back.
Why I Think It’s a Good Choice
Now let me tell you why I personally like this vehicle and why it might work in our context.
- Big family friendly: In India, many times we travel with parents, kids, maybe grandparents. The Telluride gives spacious seats three rows, meaning everyone gets room.
- Premium feel without ultra-premium price: Compared to luxury brands, this gives a lot of value.
- Strong engine and real size: If you’re buying big, you want it to feel big and capable. This one does.
- Brand trust: Kia has become more reliable over time; the Telluride has got good reviews.
Imagine this real life scenario: You are driving from Patna to a weekend getaway near hill station (assuming you imported this car or local version arrives). You’ve got six of your family inside, bags in the trunk, maybe picnic gear. You hit the highway, you overtake with ease because you’ve got the V6 power. You arrive in style, lots of space to stretch. That is what this car offers.
Things to Keep in Mind / Potential Downsides
I have to keep it real—no car is perfect.
- Fuel economy: With a large V6 and big body, mileage will not be great. On Indian roads with traffic, cost of fuel will be significant. According to spec sheet, combined MPG (US measure) is about 20 mpg for AWD. So your fuel bills will be higher than small SUVs.
- Size: In narrow city streets, parking, tight lanes, big SUVs can be a challenge. In Patna or older neighbourhoods, manoeuvring might be trickier.
- Price and maintenance: If you import or if this model arrives here, cost may be high; parts may be costlier; service network should be checked.
- Ride firmness: As mentioned, some say the ride is on the firmer side; on rough roads that may matter.
- Local version availability: Depending on our market, we may not get every trim or engine; local pricing may differ a lot.
Pricing in “Our Town” Terms
As I said earlier: In the US the base model starts at US $36,390 (≈ ₹30-35 lakh roughly).
But for our town (Patna, Bihar, India), import duties, shipping, local taxes could add a lot. So realistically you might be looking at ₹40 lakh or more for a fully-loaded version. If Kia launches locally with CKD or assembly, maybe less—but until then budget more.
Also for higher trims (EX, SX) the US pricing is around US $42,000–$48,000 depending on trim.
So in rupees that’s something like ₹35-40 lakh upward for the model that I would pick if I were buying.
So if you were telling your friends: “Hey, this huge SUV, space for the whole family, costs around ₹40 lakh in our town for the good version” — that gives the right idea.
My Verdict
So after going through the size, features, engine, pros & cons, here’s what I think:
If I were you and had the budget, and you really need a big SUV for family, for long trips, for comfort and presence, I would say go for the Kia Telluride. It gives a lot of value in that segment.
But if your usage is mostly city traffic, tight roads, and you don’t really need three rows often, then maybe you’d consider something smaller and more fuel efficient.
In summary: Yes, it’s a strong choice for a big SUV with good features; just check local pricing, service infrastructure and your actual needs.
Final Thoughts
Brother, thanks for reading through. I hope this helped you understand the Kia Telluride in plain language, with real-life pictures in mind. If I were to pick one line: “The Kia Telluride is a spacious, feature-rich three-row SUV that gives serious value if you need size and comfort.”
If you like, I can check what this model would cost exactly in Patna, including import duties, and compare it with rivals in India. Would you like me to do that?
Read more:- Leapmotor C10 Electric SUV
FAQs
1. What is the engine of the Kia Telluride?
It uses a 3.8 litre V6 engine producing around 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.
2. How many people can it seat?
It typically seats +7 people (three rows) and has a decent cargo space behind the third row.
3. What is the starting price “in our town”?
In the US it starts at US $36,390. For our town (India) you would realistically consider something like around ₹40 lakh or more depending on trim, taxes, import duties.
4. Is it good for city use?
Yes it works, but because of its large size, fuel costs, and tight parking, you should be okay with those trade-offs.
5. What are the standout features?
Spacious three-row interior, premium feel, strong engine, modern safety and tech features. Also the presence – you feel like you’re driving something big and capable.
