3-row SUV Battle

[YEH]

While doesn't include the Telluride (or Palisade), does include the Sorento and Santa Fe from the same era (since this battle includes SUVs from various eras, not really a fair comparison as opposed to seeing how AWD systems have improved).

Doubt many Tellurides will see such terrain (and snow covered), but it's nice to know that the Telluride is capable of such feats (with its higher ground clearance, on proper tires, should be even better than the Sorento and SF).

 

[DarkMossJustin]

While doesn't include the Telluride (or Palisade), does include the Sorento and Santa Fe from the same era (since this battle includes SUVs from various eras, not really a fair comparison as opposed to seeing how AWD systems have improved).

Doubt many Tellurides will see such terrain (and snow covered), but it's nice to know that the Telluride is capable of such feats (with its higher ground clearance, on proper tires, should be even better than the Sorento and SF).

The AWD Telluride is plenty capable.

I wouldn’t take it on jeep trails or climb anything in Moab but for some light stuff, why not?

If I score some 17-18” rims and A/T tires, the clearance is adequate for some light off-roading fun on snow, muddy fields (like in that one Telly commercial with the cows), and I can’t wait to visit Mojave to see the Kia test track in the desert. Cooled seats sound good about now. Warm hands, cool backs y’all

 

[Wiluride]

Well, I learned in the first 5 minutes or so, that Chevy sucks, later on learned that the Toyota also sucks. I was a little surprised to see how much the Subaru suffered, I guess their marketing had me believe they were a more capable AWD vehilce.

The 2019 Sorento, should have nearly identical drivetrain to that of the newer Telluride, they're all V6s, not sure exactly how much if any the AWD system changed, but the Telluride should at least be as capable.

 

[DarkMossJustin]

Well, I learned in the first 5 minutes or so, that Chevy sucks, later on learned that the Toyota also sucks. I was a little surprised to see how much the Subaru suffered, I guess their marketing had me believe they were a more capable AWD vehilce.

The 2019 Sorento, should have nearly identical drivetrain to that of the newer Telluride, they're all V6s, not sure exactly how much if any the AWD system changed, but the Telluride should at least be as capable.

Why your surprise at Subaru suffering?

Subarus are objectively fugly AF, pervasive eyesores all over the roads

Toyota also sucks?

I used to off-road with a body-on-frame 1990 4Runner back in the day. V6 + true 4WD + A/T tires + decent clearance + light blue metallic OEM paint made all the difference in the world.

This was way before the fugly new spindle grills that have ruined Toyota and Lexus front-ends for years. Now I can't stand the look of Toyota/Lexus cars, especially from the front.

I get what you're saying about Chevy and recent dips, but I still want a 1967-1968 SS Camaro and a classic Impala lowrider one day before I die.

Telly is a modern unibody vehicle that drives like a car with a slightly higher center-of-gravity that I don't take quite as fast as I would a 'Rari or 'Rati 'round those tempting curves of the PCH.

That being said, it handles amazingly well and the AWD in Sport Mode is a lot of fun, thanks also to Michelin for not being Goodyear and for the Primacy Tours on 20" rims that actually grip the road pretty well.

I'm used to RWD cars.

Telly in Sport Mode gives just enough of a push from the back wheels that the car feels planted and responsive and ready to take on pretty much anything I'm going to throw at it.

We had fun in the snow, in the mud, and in the desert and I'm good with that

All I need now is a Borla exhaust for some Sport Mode Sound.

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[Wiluride]

I don't care about the looks of the vehicles, I just watched to see how capable they are in difficult situations.

The Toyota they tested was the Highlander, and it sucked.

I assumed a Subaru would have much better AWD than it does based on the testing/conditions in the video, nothing more, nothing less ...

 

[DarkMossJustin]

I don't care about the looks of the vehicles, I just watched to see how capable they are in difficult situations.

The Toyota they tested was the Highlander, and it sucked.

I assumed a Subaru would have much better AWD than it does based on the testing/conditions in the video, nothing more, nothing less ...

Have you seen the rock trail tests from Driving Sports TV?

He posted some videos on YouTube.

Here's his test of the 2020 AWD Telluride from back in 2019:

 

[Wiluride]

No, I hadn't seen that, but I drove my 2019 AWD V6 Sorento in very similar conditions a couple summers ago. It did fine as long a your careful around the big rocks... I have no intention of doing anything too crazy in Telluride, but I like that it's got a couple more inches of ground clearance than the Sorrento, and my own needs for 90% of my driving don't require anything more.

I was considering buying a 4Runner, and if I was a single man I'd probably bought a 4Runner... but for my wife and daughter's sake I felt the Telluride was a better choice.

 

[DarkMossJustin]

No, I hadn't seen that, but I drove my 2019 AWD V6 Sorento in very similar conditions a couple summers ago. It did fine as long a your careful around the big rocks... I have no intention of doing anything too crazy in Telluride, but I like that it's got a couple more inches of ground clearance than the Sorrento, and my own needs for 90% of my driving don't require anything more.

I was considering buying a 4Runner, and if I was a single man I'd probably bought a 4Runner... but for my wife and daughter's sake I felt the Telluride was a better choice.

4Runner is purpose built to deliver when it counts off-road.

Telly is a better overall family car that can still have some fun with light off-roading.

Maybe when I have a family of my own, I'll chill with the traction control off / Sport Mode Saturday shenanigans, maybe

I'm glad that video exists to show us the limits of the AWD system and he gave a better explanation of the "LOCK" function than some salespeople who have called it a "locking differential" instead of giving a more detailed explanation of what it does.

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[stanaka1]

Here's my video of taking my nearly stock Telly to Cleghorn Rd. The only mod then was my Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tires on the factory 20" rims. I don't know how to edit well, so it's the full f-ing trip, so hit the mute button and skip around. Open in YouTube, it's an 8 video playlist.

 

[YEH]

Considering all this, the Telluride is more than capable for those owners who will take it for light off-roading...

2019 Mudfest - won class and overall runner-up to the Rubicon.
2019 Texas Off-road Invitational - won SUV category
2020 Rebelle Rally - came in 2nd in X-Cross class

The Kia Telluride Has Some Serious Off-Road Chops

I didn't expect the Kia to get far on one of the toughest trails in North Carolina. It made it to the top—but not without some drama.

www.popularmechanics.com