The Kia Telluride has made many buyers rethink everything they once thought about the Kia brand. Kia has established itself as one of the most reliable car brands of recent years. And with the Telluride specifically, Kia demonstrates that it knows how to deliver luxury on a budget. For the most lavishness on this mid-size SUV, you’ll want to go with the Telluride SX trim-level.

What makes the Kia Telluride SX trim worthwhile?

There are four different trim levels for the Telluride, and even the base model comes with many desirable features. That said, the SX is the grandest of them all. The SX trim starts at $41,490, which is $9K higher than the standard model. But even though the SX is pricier, its long list of amenities still makes it a bargain. 

You get leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats on the SX, plus a memory setting. This upscale car cabin adds dual sunroofs and is adorned with numerous premium finishings, including satin and wood. The SX is also a great choice for tech lovers. It comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon stereo; smartphone integration apps, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, are standard on all Tellurides. 

For more practical and luxurious features for your Telluride, you will also want to consider the SX Prestige package, which costs $2,300. This package includes helpful tools, like automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers. You also get Nappa leather seats added with this package too.

The amenities on the SX are easily comparable to what you would have on the Mercedes GLS, as MotorTrend put it. But the Telluride, of course, is far cheaper than a Mercedes SUV. Furthermore, Telluride is genuinely family-friendly and comfortable, and it can seat up to eight people across its three-rows.

More safety features come of the SX

Since the SX is the top-of-the-line for the Telluride, it only makes sense that it would come with more advanced safety equipment too. All models come with various safety features such as safe exit assist and a pre-collision warning and braking system. The SX comes with a few more items, including blind-spot monitoring. 

Driving the Telluride 

All Tellurides feature the same 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine linked to a smooth eight-speed automatic. Overall, this Kia accelerates well and is decent on fuel economy. This SUV also shines for being a stable, comfortable ride; bumps in the road are not a problem. 

For more control, consider adding all-wheel-drive for $2K. But if there is one weakness the Telluride has is in regards to its handling. As Consumer Reports highlighted, the Telluride isn’t as responsive as class rivals like the Mazda CX-9. 

Reliability and safety

The SX presents the most luxurious Telluride experience, but each trim is enjoyable in its own way. Additionally, the Telluride is considered one of the best SUVs because of its excellent reliability and safety ratings. CR named it one of the most reliable SUVs of 2020, and this model also earned top crash-test scores.