2025 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Line Review: The Best-Selling Midsize SUV?

Exterior Design and Features

• 💙 The 2025 Kia Telluride in Midnight Lake Blue features an X-Line trim with extensive blacked-out accents.
• 💡 The exterior refresh includes a distinctive quadrant LED headlight design with vertical LED daytime running lamps and turn signals.
• ⚠️ The reviewer notes the fake corner air curtains on the front bumper as a design drawback.
• 💎 The X-Line trim boasts unique 20-inch wheels with a gloss black finish and color-matched mirror caps.
• 🚀 The rear design is highlighted by a waterfall effect with LED lighting, though the rear wiper is considered a point of detraction.

Powertrain and Performance

• ⚙️ Under the hood is a 3.8L naturally aspirated V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
• 💨 Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is achieved in 6.8 seconds, with a top speed of 132 mph.
• ⛽ Fuel economy is rated at 18 MPG city and 24 MPG highway, with a curb weight of 4,469 pounds.
• ⚓ The Telluride can tow up to 5,000 lbs.

Interior Comfort and Technology

• 🛋️ The SX Prestige X-Line trim offers a luxurious interior with soft-touch materials, real open-pore wood trim, and Alcantara headliner.
• 🔊 A Harman Kardon 10-speaker sound system is included, along with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• 🗣️ Features like Passenger Talk (which uses the speaker system to communicate with rear passengers) and Quiet Mode enhance the cabin experience.
• 💺 Front seats offer three stages of heating and ventilation, with electric assist for both driver and passenger.
• 🖼️ The digital gauge cluster is 12.3 inches, and the vehicle includes a head-up display (HUD) and blind spot cameras.

Seating and Cargo Space

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The mid-row offers heated and ventilated seats, manual sunshades, and convenient AC controls with ample vents.
• 🤏 Access to the third row is facilitated by a button that slides the second-row seat, though space in the third row is described as tight with knees positioned high.
• 📦 With the third row up, there is just over 20 cubic feet of cargo space, with additional storage available underneath.
• 🧺 The cargo area features carpet, which the reviewer notes could be a drawback for carrying dirty items.

Driving Experience and Verdict

• 🛣️ The driving experience is characterized by smooth shifts, comfortable seating, and good visibility, even with 20-inch wheels.
• 🔊 Acoustic glass and sound-deadening material contribute to a quiet interior, enhanced by the digital rearview mirror.
• 🏆 The reviewer concludes that the Kia Telluride, particularly in this high trim, offers a superior interior experience compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-90, solidifying its position as a top contender in the midsize three-row SUV segment.