An Ultimate Adventure SUV: the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line
29 Sep 2023
If you are searching for an adventure-ready crossover that offers uncompromising style, comfort, and performance, the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line is a fantastic choice. With a rugged and sporty look, this impressive SUV comes loaded with essential features that cater to the needs of off-road enthusiasts and families alike. So, let’s dive deep into the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line review and discover what makes it an ultimate adventure SUV.
Exterior
The Kia Telluride’s bold and muscular design makes it stand out in a crowded market of SUVs. The X-Line trim comes with a blacked-out grille, colour-matched bumpers, and roof rails that give it a sporty and aggressive look. Our test unit had the Wolf Gray paint. The 20-inch dark finish wheels and taller ground clearance add a rugged appeal and enhance the off-road capabilities. The headlights, taillights, and foglights feature LED technology providing strong visibility. Overall, the design of Telluride X-Line is undoubtedly striking from every angle.
Rating: 9.0
Interior
The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line interior is an absolute showstopper. Kia has outdone themselves with the luxurious design and attention to detail. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted with an abundance of high-quality materials, such as soft-touch leather and real wood accents. The comfortable captain’s chairs are inviting and provide ample space to stretch out during long road trips. The dashboard is sleek and modern, with a user-friendly touchscreen display that allows you to easily control the vehicle’s features. There are plenty of storage compartments throughout, making it easy to keep your belongings organized. Our test unit had the Terracotta Brown interior, which is quite nice – but in my opinion, was not the best interior choice to complement the exterior Wolf Gray colour. Interior colours also include Mahogany and Sage Green. Overall, the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line interior is a prime example of the perfect combination of style and functionality.
Rating: 9.0
Power
This SUV packs a serious punch in the power department, thanks to its impressive naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine that churns out a whopping 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Now while that may not seem like a lot for a vehicle this size, it is more than satisfactory. We had two adult passengers and luggage for our road trip and the Telluride was very peppy when we needed to overtake on the highway. Its smooth and responsive transmission delivers seamless gear changes, ensuring a seamless and thrilling driving experience. With its powerful engine and exceptional performance capabilities, the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line is a true force to be reckoned with.
Rating: 8.5
Drive
This SUV is built to cater to every road condition, with enhanced capabilities that give it an edge on the toughest terrains. Its 3.8-liter V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission work together seamlessly to deliver a smooth and responsive driving experience. The X-Line also boasts a four-wheel-drive system that can handle anything from mud to snow, making it the perfect companion for nature outings. The torque vectoring cornering control (TVCC) accentuates its drive abilities and gives the driver a sense of confidence and control on winding roads. Whether you’re cruising down scenic routes or navigating city streets, the Kia Telluride X-Line offers a smooth and quiet ride that will leave you craving more.
Rating: 9.0
Fuel Economy
The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line boasts impressive fuel economy for its size, making it an optimal choice for both adventure-seekers and eco-conscious drivers. This larger SUV offers a perfect balance of power and efficiency, with a V6 engine capable of producing up to 291 horsepower while still achieving up to 9.8 L/100 km on the highway, 12.8 L/100 km in the city, with 11.4 L/100 km combined.
Rating: 8.0
Safety
The Kia Telluride X-Line prioritizes safety and comes loaded with advanced features that offer maximum protection for passengers. From the advanced airbag system to the blind-spot collision avoidance technology, every aspect of the Kia Telluride X-Line’s safety features is top-notch. The vehicle is also equipped with lane departure warning and forward collision warning to help drivers avoid accidents before they happen. Additionally, the Kia Telluride X-Line comes with a surround view monitor that provides real-time 360-degree views of the vehicle’s surroundings, ensuring the driver is always fully aware of potential hazards. One of my favourite features is the Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) when singling – it shows what you would not normally see when making a turn. All in all, the Kia Telluride X-Line is an SUV that puts safety first, making it a reliable and trustworthy option for anyone in the market for a new vehicle.
Rating: 9.0
Comfort
The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line is a true masterpiece and boasts an impressive interior that promises nothing but optimum comfort and convenience. The plush leather seats are designed to fit your body perfectly, providing a cozy feeling during your journey. With room for up to eight passengers, there’s plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy the ride. As a bigger guy, I always look for comfortability in the cockpit, and the Telluride delivered. Ample headroom and legroom for both driver and passengers and I did not feel crammed in any of the seats in the first and second rows. The third row was quite tight, but with a family of 4, I wouldn’t sit back there anyway. This SUV is truly unparalleled in terms of passenger comfort.
Rating: 9.5
Tech
The advanced widescreen infotainment system is intuitive and easy to use. Equipped with a stunning display panel, voice-controlled commands, wireless charging and exceptional sound quality, the Telluride X-Line provides an unparalleled experience while on the road. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is both stunning and user-friendly, providing you with all the crucial information you need at your fingertips. In addition, the advanced widescreen infotainment system is intuitive and easy to use. The interface seamlessly integrates with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing easy access to your favourite apps, music, and navigation. The Telluride X-Line also features Kia Connect, which allows you to control your SUV with your smartphone, including remote start/stop, climate control, and car status alerts. The Telluride also offers WIFI capability with 4G LTE connection for up to five devices.
Rating: 9.0
Storage
The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line is the perfect crossover SUV for those who require ample cargo space. With a whopping 86.7 cubic feet of cargo space available when folding down the second and third-row seats, you can fit almost anything you need for your journey. Whether it’s camping gear or sports equipment, or luggage for the entire family, there is tons of room available. And the best part? You won’t even need to sacrifice any passenger space to enjoy all that room. The vehicle’s beautiful exterior design may catch your eye, but it’s the cargo space and practicality that will keep you hooked on this bad boy. The combination of style and substance is what makes the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line a standout model in its class.
Rating: 9.5
Value
The 2023 Kia Telluride with the X-Line trim has a starting price of $60,995.00 (CAD). Our test model had a sticker price of $63,245.00 (CAD) – an excellent price point for a decently equipped larger 3-row SUV with substantial room and storage.
Rating: 9.5
Overall Rating
The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line is an ultimate adventure SUV that offers a perfect blend of luxury, performance, versatility, and safety. With its rugged and sporty look, superior performance and capability, and advanced features inside and out, this SUV is an ideal choice for those who are always on the move.
Based on the 10 different categories covered above, I gave the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line an overall score of 90.0.
If you are looking for an SUV that can take you anywhere and everywhere in style, comfort, and safety, the Kia Telluride X-Line is a great option that should be on top of your list.
Overall Score: 90.0
Specifications
The following are key specifications. For trim-specific specs, please visit the Kia website.
Chassis
Vehicle Type: 4-door SUV
Wheels: 20” alloy
Tires: Continental 245/50R20
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts
Rear Suspension: Multi-Link
Front Brakes: Vented disc (13.4”)
Rear Brakes: Solid disc (12”)
Braking System: 4-wheel ABS
Powertrain
Engine: 3.8L V6 GDI (Gasoline Direct Injected)
Displacement: 3,778 cc
Horsepower (hp/rpm): 291 @ 6,000 rpm
Max. Torque (lb-ft/rpm): 262 @ 5,200 rpm
Valvetrain: Dual Over Head Cam (DOHC) Dual Cam Variable Valve Timing (D CVVT)
Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
Driving System: AWD
Recommended Fuel: Regular Unleaded Gasoline (87 octane or higher)
Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs): 5500
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 2,900 mm
Length: 5,000 mm
Width: 1,990 mm
Height (with roof rails): 1,790 mm
Total Interior Volume: 5,043 L
Volume (behind 1st-row seating): 2,455 L (86.7 cu.ft)
Volume (behind 2nd-row seating): 1,304 L (46 cu.ft)
Volume (behind 3rd-row seating): 601 L (21.2 cu.ft)
Minimum Curb Weight: 4,378 lbs
Minimum Curb Weight: 4,524 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight: 5,917 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity: 71 L
Fuel Economy
Combined: 11.4 L/100 km
City: 12.8 L/100 km
Highway: 9.8 L/100 km
Competitors
• Ford Explorer
• Volkswagen Atlas
• Buick Enclave
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Hyundai Palisade
I’ve Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash
Now I’m not usually one for country songs, but you’ve gotta love that walking bassline and the guitar work of the man in black. This song talks about going everywhere, and what better vehicle to take you to all of the cool places mentioned than one that with a ton of room, is super comfortable, and is a pleasure to drive? The 2023 Kia Telluride, man!
“I’ve been to Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa
Tennessee to Tennesse Chicopee, Spirit Lake
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete’s sake”
I really hope you enjoyed this edition of Motors & Music featuring the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and I’ve Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash.
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Craig Silva
Craig is a husband, father, team leader, travel and food writer, senior youth group coordinator, designer, brander, community builder, volunteer, and social media strategist. He likes to travel, go camping, go on road trips, watch movies, build stuff, operate the grill, and sing with his band. Craig is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association and Travel Media Association of Canada. If you are a PR agency or brand and would like Craig to review a travel destination, vehicle, restaurant, product or service, please send him an email.
