Since its U.S. debut, the Kia Telluride has enjoyed great popularity among SUV fans. This midsize SUV is good-looking, surprisingly opulent, and packed with value. For those reasons and more, the 2022 Kia Telluride earned the highest Consumer Reports rating among all vehicles for the new model year.

So, what exactly makes the 2022 Kia Telluride so special? 

The 2022 Kia Telluride at a glance

Three-row SUVs are popular because they provide families with a comfortable way to move people and their gear. With a sharp, rugged exterior and a plush interior, the Kia Telluride offers stiff competition to even luxury models like the Range Rover, according to Car and Driver.

The 2022 Telluride boasts an expansive selection of standard safety features and a dynamic infotainment system. Comfort, convenience, and luxury features abound. Even as you progress through the trim levels, you’ll notice the Telluride is still reasonably priced, starting from about $33,000 to $45,000.

It has set a high bar for the rest of its class and beyond, earning a spot on C/D’s 2022 10Best list.

Sure, the 2022 Telluride doesn’t offer the most thrilling ride or get the best gas mileage. But its V6 harnesses 291 hp, and the ride is smooth and composed. It handles body roll like a champ, tows up to 5,000 pounds, and tackles rough terrain when equipped with all-wheel drive.

The latest Telluride features the new Kia logo on its upgraded grille, rear liftgate, and steering wheel cover. Also for the 2022 model year, Kia has also added better standard features on the two lower trim levels — the LX and S — including a larger 10.3-inch touchscreen and automatic temperature control. Both of those trims also get semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control that uses the vehicle’s navigation system to adjust speed when cornering.

Why did the 2022 Kia Telluride score so high in Consumer Reports testing?

After Consumer Reports testers evaluated the 2022 Kia Telluride, they awarded it an overall score of 97 out of 100. It also earned a 97 on CR’s rigorous road test and a perfect 5/5 for predicted owner satisfaction and predicted reliability.  

The CR team rated the 2022 Telluride highly for its refined ride, intuitive controls, generous space, and outstanding features. They were impressed with its standard features for the price and its overall proficiency. The largest passenger model Kia makes, the Telluride competes with rivals such as the Subaru Ascent, Honda Pilot, and Chevrolet Traverse.

The Telluride’s powertrain includes an automatic eight-speed transmission that’s responsive and smooth. CR’s testers got 21 mpg overall in fuel economy, which isn’t better than average, but that’s one of the few flaws they found.

Otherwise, the 2022 Telluride is hard to knock. It provides a quiet inside, and the suspension easily absorbs the blows from the road. The cabin offers an attractive balance between comfort and visual appeal with quality materials. It also has generous cargo space, a must for any family. 

In addition, the advanced safety features help with the predicted owner satisfaction rating. The latest Telluride offers automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and forward-collision warning. It also comes equipped with a rear-seat reminder system and a setting that won’t allow the rear doors to open if a vehicle approaches from the rear.

2 more 2022 models with high overall Consumer Reports scores

Two other models earned top overall scores from Consumer Reports: the 2022 BMW X5 and the 2022 Toyota Avalon. 

The BMW X5 is redesigned for 2022. CR considers it one of the best SUVs they’ve tested, with an overall score of 90 out of 100. With its comfortable, composed ride, the 2022 X5 offers a good balance of agility, comfort, performance, and quality.

CR testers found the X5 to be efficient yet powerful, an uncommon combination. Its V6 jumps off the line and can go from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable six seconds. Like the Telluride, the X5 benefits from a smooth-shifting automatic eight-speed transmission. But it gets 23 mpg overall, leading the class for gas-powered SUVs.

Consumer Reports also gave the 2022 Toyota Avalon an overall 90. Toyota redesigned the Avalon in 2019, enhancing this full-size sedan in many ways. CR tested the hybrid model, which earned a stunning 42 mpg combined — incredible gas mileage for a car of its size.

A more reasonably priced alternative to luxury cars, the Avalon offers an opulent ride, a stylish design, and impressive agility.