The New 2022 Kia Telluride SUV - Review, Specs, Photos, Exterior, Interior, Release Date

The New 2022 Kia Telluride - Now Available!

It's the biggest of the bunch for the brand. That's all the talk now about the 2022 Kia Telluride Crossover vehicle. It's a definitive move that shows the brand is in it for the long haul, offering a vehicle for every driver, whether it's the Stinger, Forte, Optima, Sportage, Sorento, or even a Soul. In the case of the Telluride, it's a three-row, extra-large Sport Utility Vehicle, that borrows from the platform which also underpins the Kia Sorento, so you already know it has good bones, but the new Telluride is large enough to carry up to eight passengers in comfort, depending on whether you have a mid-row bench seat or opted for the available captain's chairs.

2022 Kia Telluride - Turning Heads and Changing Minds

From the tip of Kia's trademark Tiger Nose Grille, it's clear that the 2022 Kia Telluride is ready to take on the best of what the other SUV manufacturers have to offer. Headlights that are vaguely similar to other large SUVs in the market segment, and brushed metal trim under the front bumper, along the side rocker panels that make the Telluride appear ready for almost every situation.

To the casual observer, a few things will be obvious. At first glance they will see the long hood, wide grille, stacked headlights, and upright leaning windshield which lends to the airiness of the cabin as the Telluride approaches. At the rear, available LED taillights are standard on EX and SX trim levels, along with "below-bumper" integrated twin exhaust tips that allude to the Telluride's off-roading credentials.

2022 Kia Telluride Driveability

The 2022 Kia Telluride relies on power coming exclusively from an Atkinson Cycle LAMBDA II 3.8-liter V6 GDI engine making 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission which sends power to the front wheel drive, or available all-wheel-drive setup, or to a fully active-on-demand four-wheel-drive system. The on-demand all-wheel drive kit enhances performance by sending torque to the front or the rear wheels depending on road and grip conditions as well as driver inputs. The entire Telluride rides on a four-wheel independent suspension, with available self-leveling rear feature on EX and SX.

With the on-demand four-wheel-drive system, your Telluride should provide surefootedness regardless of road conditions. While in standard Eco and Smart modes, it will deliver up to 100 percent of the torque to the front wheels, while Snow and Comfort modes break it up into a variable 80:20 split. Finally, Sport mode will continually vary the power with a 65:35 front and rear bias, while Lock mode send equal torque to all four wheels. All that torque should be just the thing for towing up to 5,000 pounds on the Telluride's available trailer hitch.

Luxury, Technology, & Capability In One Package

This SUV is not just another pretty face. In addition to its tough looks, the 2022 Kia Telluride is loaded with new technology and assists that can offer occupant safety and help minimize driving fatigue at the same time. These include Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Driver Talk, Head Up Display, Quiet Mode and Rear Occupant Alert.

But as important as safety is, it's not all that the Telluride boasts of.

An available 10.3-inch color touchscreen with rearview monitor and parking guidance feature is here, looking almost as large as a 50-inch 4K monitor at home (we kid). Pumping out the jam is a 630-watt 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with Clari-Fi software that helps to re-establish the sound that is lost as a result of current digital recording technology. We have experienced it and enjoy the newfound details that appear in our music. Finally, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging and six USB charging ports round out the plug-in capabilities of your new 2022 Kia Telluride.

The 2022 Kia Telluride. It will have you rethinking the brand in an entirely different light.