Telly trim levels- why did you choose your trim level?

[DILLIGAF]

SXP AWD Tow, had everything I wanted. I drive cars until they fall apart, or they can't be repaired reasonably, or they are totaled from a wreck or deer crash, etc. I learned that getting what I wanted never caused me to have second thoughts or want to upgrade or have buyers regret and wanting to trade up after a few months. I'm seeing here and on FB that happens a lot so for me the higher price now gets easier with age and I don't have to run right out and trade it in for what I really wanted. I understand now (after reading the forum and FB) there are a ton of those type of buyers never seem to get out from the upside down car value, never ending car buying experience and forever payments. I don't like to be in car buying hell (and payments) for years. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy owning new cars, I just like to get my hard earned moneys worth. I don't buy on a whim, I research, I ask questions, I test drive, I go home and research more then I test drive again because I don't like being surprised as soon as I get home with something I didn't know about the car I just plunked down $50 K for. I don't buy on impulse and so after all that I generally get exactly what I thought I was getting and I know exactly what that car has on it and how much it should cost and how I am going to pay for it. I like to know just as much and in the case of the Telluride I knew more about the car than the salesman before I walk in to buy. Most of the time it is a better equipped vehicle, and best bang for the buck. I spent over a year researching and test driving cars in this SUV group and kept coming back to this one. I tend to like the top trim levels and in the long run for me it only costs a little more to go first class.

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This

 

[KeepYourLaneClean]

I chose the S model. I wanted a Telluride that I could afford comfortably as a single mom of 3. It was my birthday present to myself. I wanted to have the captain chairs, the sunroof, and the heated seats. Now that I think about it, I would have preferred to have the automatic lift gate. But everything else, I can do without. I love my remote start feature. I purchased the Everlasting Silver. I love that it looks silver from afar and periwinkle blue close up.

 

[superk1977]

I chose the S model. I wanted a Telluride that I could afford comfortably as a single mom of 3. It was my birthday present to myself. I wanted to have the captain chairs, the sunroof, and the heated seats. Now that I think about it, I would have preferred to have the automatic lift gate. But everything else, I can do without. I love my remote start feature. I purchased the Everlasting Silver. I love that it looks silver from afar and periwinkle blue close up.

Great color choice! Love how ES changes color in different lighting!

 

[DarkMossJustin]

I chose the S model. I wanted a Telluride that I could afford comfortably as a single mom of 3. It was my birthday present to myself. I wanted to have the captain chairs, the sunroof, and the heated seats. Now that I think about it, I would have preferred to have the automatic lift gate. But everything else, I can do without. I love my remote start feature. I purchased the Everlasting Silver. I love that it looks silver from afar and periwinkle blue close up.

Happy birthday @KeepYourLaneClean !!

Can't think of a better present to oneself than a Telly in the color you want! I've only sat in the 2nd row captains chairs once when the car was parked because I'm the driver, but they're just as comfortable and supportive as the front seats.

Kia did a great job with the cushioning and design of the seats.

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[anotherlostmonkey]

I went with the SX N/T/P for a few reasons, but the main reason was I keep cars for a long time and wanted all of the newish tech. My last car lasted 9 years, and I only sold it because it was rusting away, and planning for a family now. A rusty lowered 07 MazdaSpeed 3 isn't the greatest family car. The SX N/T/P checked all of the boxes I wanted: LED Lights, towing, heated seats, blind spot cameras, smart cruise control, HUD (was optional but i wanted it) and I liked the look. My wife and I looked at and drove every competitor in the 3 row SUV segment, and nothing came close in features and value. There was always something missing that we liked on the Telluride.

 

[KeepYourLaneClean]

Happy birthday @KeepYourLaneClean !!

Can't think of a better present to oneself than a Telly in the color you want! I've only sat in the 2nd row captains chairs once when the car was parked because I'm the driver, but they're just as comfortable and supportive as the front seats.

Kia did a great job with the cushioning and design of the seats.

Thank you for the birthday wishes! I agree, I can only sit in the captain's chairs for now because I am the only driver.

 

[here4now]

My #1 must have was no sun roof (had a horrid ongoing saga w a brand new car w sunroof in the not so distant past)- which is hard to find in any vehicle that don't have cloth seats. The LX base model more than covered all of my must haves - looks like leather, nice tech, no sunroof, the right size, the truckier body style - I love mine!

 

[MarkyMark]

Just a curious discussion on the trim levels. We already know why all of us have chosen the Telluride but what features on the various trim levels did you have to have or want to have. I'll start...

It's been 20 years since we have bought a car (stingy retirees here). So stepping into any new car nowadays was just a tad overwhelming . Whoa there, all those electronics and safety features! Just turning on the car was like stepping into the Tardis or Enterprise (yes, I'm a scifi fan). After alot of research and reading and looking at our budget, we decided that we really didn't need alot of the features on the higher trim levels. Yes, they would have been nice to have like that Nightfall edition (love that look) but just couldn't justify the prices and heck, we no longer care much on the looks. Must be the gray hair and wrinkles. Hell, we just upgraded to a smart phone from a flip phone this year (no cell service in our holler). So it all came down to AWD (necessity), heated front seats (old bones) and a sunroof (see old bones reason) and that pesky car payment. Bottom line=S trim AWD.

How about you? What were the features you had to have and/or nice to have?

KIA’s packaging is “odd” and has forced us into a particular model - the EX base configuration... The SX does NOT have a bench second row option, which my kids love, and for taking an extra friend along, invaluable. So the EX Is the highest and model that comes with the bench in the second row. Yet, adding the Premium or Nightfall package, both of those remove bench seats and add captains chairs...

Kia seemingly, unwittingly, is losing money with us - and anyone - wanting a high-end model, it needing a bench in the second row. Kia could be selling people like our family high-end SX models and instead is forcing us into a base EX models.

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[PittPa]

I picked up a 2020 SXP used with 7k on it. Unlike many, I rarely own a car more that 2-3 years. I generally get the highest trim levels possible and try not to do anything that effects the resell such as aftermarket parts or non OE additions. I generally buy preowned put a chunk of money on it (Usually from the previous trade) and usually trade or sell before the warranty is completely up. I do have one exception in that I own a vintage 911 (1989) and a 2007 MDX that has gone through everyone of my kids and now my daughter uses at college with 150K on it. My concern with the KIA is how exactly is this car going to hold up past 5 years? I know with Honda and Toyota, there is a track record for cars that are proven to be generally long lasting. I know there are exceptions but you can look at older Landcruisers and see they are still pretty solid. I will make my decision in a few years and see how it goes. If it can duplicate the MDX, maybe I will hold on it it. I am just not sure if any car these days with the tons of safety avoidance and advancing technology makes for a long term solution out of warranty that doesn't get exceptionally costly to maintain.

 

[2020Telly]

I made a list of Needs and Wants. The Needs were AWD and heated front seats. The S met the Needs, and I wasn't willing to pay more for Wants. The only thing I think would be an improvement would be the auto lift gate, but I've never had that on any other vehicle and lived to tell about it. Again, I wasn't willing to pay more for Wants.

I needed captains chairs. I wanted my hands on the title the soonest. The S gave me both. I wish I had seat memory on the drivers seat. Dual climate and power liftgate would be helpful, but I’m very happy otherwise.

 

[DarkMossJustin]

KIA’s packaging is “odd” and has forced us into a particular model - the EX base configuration... The SX does NOT have a bench second row option, which my kids love, and for taking an extra friend along, invaluable. So the EX Is the highest and model that comes with the bench in the second row. Yet, adding the Premium or Nightfall package, both of those remove bench seats and add captains chairs...

Kia seemingly, unwittingly, is losing money with us - and anyone - wanting a high-end model, it needing a bench in the second row. Kia could be selling people like our family high-end SX models and instead is forcing us into a base EX models.

@MarkyMark:

I felt that way too at first.

I wanted an SX-Prestige with bench seats as an option which currently isn't an option. I don't use the 3rd row so it would have been nice to have a 5-seater with just the front and 2nd rows.

That being said, I'm starting to really appreciate the 2nd row Captain's Chairs, and my occasional passengers love having a place between the seats to put stuff (Right now I just have an empty plastic jerry can wedged between the chairs. I was thinking of creating a quick detach mounting system for a center console, or just leaving a rolled-up towel for the pup.

Kia's undoubtedly considering and forecasting their production capacity and expected Telluride demand for the next few model years.

Right now the Telly offerings are pretty simplistic, which makes sense for a business launching a new model like the Telly.

One choice of engine, 4 basic trim levels, limited interior/exterior colors (I happen to think Kia made some great decisions for the limited choice set of available colors) and the bizarre seating offerings like LX bench, S captains, EX bench, EX Prem captains, SX captains.

For me, a priority was factory LED headlights + fog lights so I was headed SX.

I really took a chance on the Dune Brown Nappa Leather Seats which pushed me into the Prestige Package category.

Since I don't have kids (yet), and only occasional passengers, the bench seat hasn't been an issue.

I can certainly see how the 2nd row bench is a must for many families considering the EX. Wish they allowed a in EX-Premium

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I picked up a 2020 SXP used with 7k on it. Unlike many, I rarely own a car more that 2-3 years. I generally get the highest trim levels possible and try not to do anything that effects the resell such as aftermarket parts or non OE additions. I generally buy preowned put a chunk of money on it (Usually from the previous trade) and usually trade or sell before the warranty is completely up. I do have one exception in that I own a vintage 911 (1989) and a 2007 MDX that has gone through everyone of my kids and now my daughter uses at college with 150K on it. My concern with the KIA is how exactly is this car going to hold up past 5 years? I know with Honda and Toyota, there is a track record for cars that are proven to be generally long lasting. I know there are exceptions but you can look at older Landcruisers and see they are still pretty solid. I will make my decision in a few years and see how it goes. If it can duplicate the MDX, maybe I will hold on it it. I am just not sure if any car these days with the tons of safety avoidance and advancing technology makes for a long term solution out of warranty that doesn't get exceptionally costly to maintain.

@PittPa:

The engine is proven.

100,000 mile powertrain/drivetrain warranty is nice, right?

I’m going to keep this Telly and drive it until it dies.

Hopefully I’ll get anything major fixed/replaced before 90,000 miles and it’ll provide me with many more years of trusty service.

 

[KeepYourLaneClean]

I needed captains chairs. I wanted my hands on the title the soonest. The S gave me both. I wish I had seat memory on the drivers seat. Dual climate and power liftgate would be helpful, but I’m very happy otherwise.

I totally agree. I think we have the same needs and wants and nice-to-haves.

______________________________

 

[kalipto85]

Just a curious discussion on the trim levels. We already know why all of us have chosen the Telluride but what features on the various trim levels did you have to have or want to have. I'll start...

It's been 20 years since we have bought a car (stingy retirees here). So stepping into any new car nowadays was just a tad overwhelming . Whoa there, all those electronics and safety features! Just turning on the car was like stepping into the Tardis or Enterprise (yes, I'm a scifi fan). After alot of research and reading and looking at our budget, we decided that we really didn't need alot of the features on the higher trim levels. Yes, they would have been nice to have like that Nightfall edition (love that look) but just couldn't justify the prices and heck, we no longer care much on the looks. Must be the gray hair and wrinkles. Hell, we just upgraded to a smart phone from a flip phone this year (no cell service in our holler). So it all came down to AWD (necessity), heated front seats (old bones) and a sunroof (see old bones reason) and that pesky car payment. Bottom line=S trim AWD.

How about you? What were the features you had to have and/or nice to have?

The 20' black rims looked super sharp, the captain chairs worked best for our family, and my wife had to have the dual sunroof as she thought having no sunroof in the back made it seem like she was in a cave (she was never going to sit back there anyway but whatever.lol).

 

[Keniff536]

Regardless of the trim level, I think the Telluride is a sure bet. When it first hit the streets, I thought the EX was the best bang for the buck(and still do). But I ended up getting the SX for three main reasons. One was the blind-spot view monitor(BVM), this by far is my favorite feature on the vehicle, I can change lanes with confidence Smart cruise control is a close second, though. The second reason was because of the stereo, but not because I thought it was so much better than the EX, but because I have always installed after market stereos in every car I have ever owned. After talking to stereo shops and seeing the intergraded system in the KT, I knew I wasn't going to be able to upgrade the stereo any time soon, if ever. Third, was the wheels, I'm not crazy about the EX wheels. I have also installed aftermarket wheels on all my cars. My plan was to buy new wheels immediately after I bought the EX. So, after all that brainstorming, I decided on a '21 GG/black SX and I'm totally happy with it. I hope everyone is enjoying theirs as much as I am mine. ;-)

 

[Wiluride]

S AWD,

I would have preferred EX AWD with Premium Package, but none available near me in the color choice I wanted...

When a White S AWD suddenly appeared 10 miles away... it seemed like fate was saying "SOFINO Leatherette , can't be too bad"

I wasn't in the mood to wait 2 or 3 months to order anything

So.... I bought it. It has everything I need really. With the money saved I can get the Trailer Hitch, 7-pin harness, and bumper cover...

 

[TwoTelly]

we all know that each and every trim level is packed with value! I went with the SX-Prestige with towing for the pettiest reason though... my last car was a middle trim level and I got tired of seeing the empty black spots where buttons would have been haha. I was always seeing higher trim levels of my car on the road and kept thinking “I wish I would have gone with that” and I just didn’t want to do that again. I tow occasionally for work, and our pickup truck is always being used by employees so the towing was a must regardless of trim level. An extra vehicle that can pull is good to have. Now I guess the only envy I’ll be having of other Telly’s on the road is how much cleaner than mine they always are!

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[weekendtoy]

S in Sangria

I wanted the 20-inch rims, a factory tow package, and don't like blacked-out rims.

My wife wanted red.

I would have liked the Harmon Kardon system. I listened to it and wasn't overly impressed.

My wife would have liked the duel sun-roofs. We weren't ready to pay $10K for this.

Neither of us (frugal by nature/profession) could justify the higher trim levels.

To class things up a bit we added the Interior Lighting and Illuminated Door Sill Plates

 

[soNburst]

LED headlights alone justifies SX. No justification for prestige but I got it.

 

[DarkMossJustin]

LED headlights alone justifies SX. No justification for prestige but I got it.

Sure the LEDs are amazing and SX is a solid package, but the Prestige Package is well worth it IMO.

Heated and cooled 2nd row seats? Awesome

Did you get the Dune Brown Nappa Leather?

The HUD is nice.

The rain-sensing wipers work really well.

The 110V inverter is great if you want to plug in household appliances, etc.

The dark gray premium cotton microfiber headliner that completely cover the A-pillars and part of the B-pillars are nice too.

 

[qwikhit]

The inverter and HUD would be what sold me on prestige