Is there Any SUV with USABLE 3rd Row Close To Fully loaded Telluride near 55K?

[MG535]

If you are a car reviewer and you torch a model, even if it's truth, they'll never send you another vehicle to review. I'm curious as to how the majority of Chevrolet's models have been awarded best in initial quality by JD Power certain years. By coincidence? Ever owned a new Chevy? $$$$

The fact is, car manufacturers control the flow of information involving their product. Publications are one source information and they aren't only blowing smoke but as someone who's driven over 50 current vehicle models across many manufacturers, I can tell you that car reviewers aren't nearly as harsh as they should be. I've driven many vehicles that don't match up to their reviews in the big car publications.

I think I ruined some poor guy's day picking apart his Telluride at the gas station this summer. He asked what I thought of the Telluride, I answered. "I like it, but let me show you four or five things that are wrong with your particular car from what I can see." Sorry, man...

There’s a lot more nuance to the industry than you’re letting on.

First of all, there’s a massive difference between Consumer Reports and JDP. The former buys their long-term test fleet vehicles anonymously from dealerships; they are a non-profit funded mainly by their subscribers; and they do not sell the right to tout any awards in manufacturer advertisements. Guess who does?

Second, it’s one thing to be an individual blogger/YouTuber who may be at the mercy of getting test vehicles from the OEM (although many smaller vloggers thank their local dealer for the test car so they don’t seem to always rely on the OEM). It’s quite another for an OEM to say we are going to basically boycott the big media groups. When Edmunds, C&D, R&T, etc all torched their long-term Alfa Giulias for basically falling apart, what did FCA do? They stopped sending vehicles to be reviewed by all those entities?

But if your broader point is that reviews should only be a starting point and taken with a grain of salt, then I agree with you. Reviews are a good way to add something to a shortlist of what to test drive for yourself, and just as importantly a way to eliminate them because test driving 15-20 vehicles just isn’t practical for most people.

The Telluride won its comps basically by default, eg Pilot too old; Highlander too boring; CX9 too small, etc etc. It’s not the best thing since sliced bread. It just has fewer fatal flaws.

 

[Tailgunner]

“A fully loaded Limited” is an oxymoron considering there are 3 trims above the Limited.

The top trim starts at $65k for the V6.

You do know that you can add packages to lower levels to get a "loaded" vehicle...



21 MODEL YEAR GRAND CHEROKEE L LIMITED 4X4 THIS VEHICLE IS MANUFACTURED TO MEET SPECIFIC UNITED STATES REQUIREMENTS. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT MANUFACTURED FOR SALE OR REGISTRATION OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE OF THIS MODEL INCLUDING DEALER PREPARATION Base Price: $46,405 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE L LIMITED 4X4 Exterior Color: Bright White Clear–Coat Exterior Paint Interior Color: Global Black Interior Color Interior: Capri Leather Seats with Perforated Inserts Engine: 3.6L V6 24V VVT Engine w/ESS Transmission: 8–Speed Automatic 850RE Transmission STANDARD EQUIPMENT (UNLESS REPLACED BY OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT) FUNCTIONAL/SAFETY FEATURES Jeep Wave Membership (Retail Sales/50 States Only) Quadra–Trac I® 4WD System Selec–Terrain® System Remote–Start System Power Liftgate Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go Active Lane–Management System Full–Speed Forward–Collision Warning Plus ParkView® Rear Back–Up Camera Parksense® Rear Park–Assist with Stop Blind–Spot and Cross–Path Detection Advanced Brake–Assist Pedestrian / Cyclist Emergency Braking Automatic High–Beam Headlamp–Control Universal Garage–Door Opener Rear–View Day / Night Mirror Anti–Lock 4–Wheel Disc Brakes Electronic Stability Control Hill–Start Assist Tire Pressure Monitoring Display Compact Spare Tire Conventional Differential Front Axle w/ Disconnect Speed–Sensitive Power–Locks Security Alarm Rear–Seat Object Alert INTERIOR FEATURES Uconnect® 5 with 8.4– Inch Display Apple CarPlay® Google Android Auto™ Jeep Connect (Connected Services) w/ Trial 4G LTE Wi–Fi Hot Spot with Trial Included SiriusXM® with 360L SiriusXM® with 6–Month Radio Sub Call 800–643–2112 Heated Steering Wheel Heated Front Seats Heated Second–Row Seats 6 Premium Speakers 2nd Row Buckets with Manual Easy–Entry Slide OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (May Replace Standard Equipment) Customer Preferred Package 22E Trailer Tow Prep Group $695 Trailer–Hitch Zoom Automatic Headlamp Leveling System Rear Load–Leveling Suspension Full Size Spare Tire Luxury Tech Group II $2,295 Capri Leather Seats with Perforated Inserts Intersection Collision–Assist System ParkSense® Front and Rear Park–Assist with Stop Surround View Camera System Rain–Sensitive Windshield Wipers Rear–View Auto–Dimming Digital Display Mirror Rear Back–Up Camera Washer Wireless Charging–Pad Ventilated Front Seats Integrated Off–Road Camera Manual 2nd Row Window Shades Automatic–Dimming Exterior Driver Mirror Door and Liftgate Passive Entry Memory Steering Column Power Tilt / Telescope Steering Column 2nd Row 60/40 Bench with Manual Tip / Slide $695 Center Rear 3–Point Seat Belt Three Rear–Seat Head–Restraints 2nd Row Seat Center–Armrest with Cupholders 7 Passenger Seating Uconnect® 5 Navigation with 10.1–Inch Display $995 GPS Navigation 9 Amplified Speakers with Subwoofer 506 Watt Amplifier Connected Travel and Traffic Services 20–Inch x 8.5–Inch Polished / Painted Alum Wheels $1,495 265/50R20 BSW All–Season LRR Tires Destination Charge $1,795 TOTAL PRICE: * $54,375 WARRANTY COVERAGE 5–year or 60,000–mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. 3–year or 36,000–mile Basic Limited Warranty. Ask Dealer for a copy of the limited warranties or

 

[2020Telly]

“A fully loaded Limited” is an oxymoron considering there are 3 trims above the Limited.

The top trim starts at $65k for the V6.

That’s also max seating for 6. I see it as a luxury SUV in a different price point, not directly competing with the Telluride.

 

[Tailgunner]

That’s also max seating for 6. I see it as a luxury SUV in a different price point, not directly competing with the Telluride.

Or seven with a second row optional bench seating .

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[MG535]

That’s also max seating for 6. I see it as a luxury SUV in a different price point, not directly competing with the Telluride.

It’s not really a luxury SUV. It’s just a mainstream SUV that just happens to be a lot more expensive.

 

[y2jdmbfan]

Not a fan of the Jeep's, thanks though.

 

[2020Telly]

Or seven with a second row optional bench seating .

Sure, then you give up captains chairs, so it doesn’t compare with the Telluride.

 

[2020Telly]

It’s not really a luxury SUV. It’s just a mainstream SUV that just happens to be a lot more expensive.

Agreed but since Jeep doesn’t have a luxury label they just offer a very wide range of trims. A Trackhawk is $90k.

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[Tailgunner]

Agreed but since Jeep doesn’t have a luxury label they just offer a very wide range of trims. A Trackhawk is $90k.

They Certainly do . Wagoneer starts at $67,000 and Grand Wagoneer starts at $89,000 and goes over $100,000

 

[DJGBerg]

Wow, NDBlackEX, what has been your biggest issues with your car? Sorry it's been such a disappointment.

Well I must have been driving shitty cars because the Telluride hands down is the best ride I’ve ever owned and I’m on my second Telluride (but I’m trading in or selling my second for a K5, don’t need the big boy anymore).

 

[2020Telly]

They Certainly do . Wagoneer starts at $67,000 and Grand Wagoneer starts at $89,000 and goes over $100,000

Sorry, I meant brand. Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura, VW/Audi, etc. there is no luxury brand for Jeep, they are just barebones models all the way up to very expensively packed models. A Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are still Jeeps.

 

[NCBill]

Based on prior experience, my three choices were the Telly, the Highlander, and the Pilot. Telly has them all beat room wise. Honda is having some serious quality issues right now. In the end we went with the Telly, but the Highlander was a close second. But maximum room was not our concern. Not interested in any of the US brands or the European either.

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[ceenote]

Based on prior experience, my three choices were the Telly, the Highlander, and the Pilot. Telly has them all beat room wise. Honda is having some serious quality issues right now. In the end we went with the Telly, but the Highlander was a close second. But maximum room was not our concern. Not interested in any of the US brands or the European either.

My choices were close to yours, but i was looking at the highlander and the ford explorer... i had rode the explorer, but not the highlander... i test drove the telly n was sold at that point... plus with the warranty that comes with the telly... im good..

 

[MG535]

You do know that you can add packages to lower levels to get a "loaded" vehicle...



21 MODEL YEAR GRAND CHEROKEE L LIMITED 4X4 THIS VEHICLE IS MANUFACTURED TO MEET SPECIFIC UNITED STATES REQUIREMENTS. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT MANUFACTURED FOR SALE OR REGISTRATION OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE OF THIS MODEL INCLUDING DEALER PREPARATION Base Price: $46,405 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE L LIMITED 4X4 Exterior Color: Bright White Clear–Coat Exterior Paint Interior Color: Global Black Interior Color Interior: Capri Leather Seats with Perforated Inserts Engine: 3.6L V6 24V VVT Engine w/ESS Transmission: 8–Speed Automatic 850RE Transmission STANDARD EQUIPMENT (UNLESS REPLACED BY OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT) FUNCTIONAL/SAFETY FEATURES Jeep Wave Membership (Retail Sales/50 States Only) Quadra–Trac I® 4WD System Selec–Terrain® System Remote–Start System Power Liftgate Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go Active Lane–Management System Full–Speed Forward–Collision Warning Plus ParkView® Rear Back–Up Camera Parksense® Rear Park–Assist with Stop Blind–Spot and Cross–Path Detection Advanced Brake–Assist Pedestrian / Cyclist Emergency Braking Automatic High–Beam Headlamp–Control Universal Garage–Door Opener Rear–View Day / Night Mirror Anti–Lock 4–Wheel Disc Brakes Electronic Stability Control Hill–Start Assist Tire Pressure Monitoring Display Compact Spare Tire Conventional Differential Front Axle w/ Disconnect Speed–Sensitive Power–Locks Security Alarm Rear–Seat Object Alert INTERIOR FEATURES Uconnect® 5 with 8.4– Inch Display Apple CarPlay® Google Android Auto™ Jeep Connect (Connected Services) w/ Trial 4G LTE Wi–Fi Hot Spot with Trial Included SiriusXM® with 360L SiriusXM® with 6–Month Radio Sub Call 800–643–2112 Heated Steering Wheel Heated Front Seats Heated Second–Row Seats 6 Premium Speakers 2nd Row Buckets with Manual Easy–Entry Slide OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (May Replace Standard Equipment) Customer Preferred Package 22E Trailer Tow Prep Group $695 Trailer–Hitch Zoom Automatic Headlamp Leveling System Rear Load–Leveling Suspension Full Size Spare Tire Luxury Tech Group II $2,295 Capri Leather Seats with Perforated Inserts Intersection Collision–Assist System ParkSense® Front and Rear Park–Assist with Stop Surround View Camera System Rain–Sensitive Windshield Wipers Rear–View Auto–Dimming Digital Display Mirror Rear Back–Up Camera Washer Wireless Charging–Pad Ventilated Front Seats Integrated Off–Road Camera Manual 2nd Row Window Shades Automatic–Dimming Exterior Driver Mirror Door and Liftgate Passive Entry Memory Steering Column Power Tilt / Telescope Steering Column 2nd Row 60/40 Bench with Manual Tip / Slide $695 Center Rear 3–Point Seat Belt Three Rear–Seat Head–Restraints 2nd Row Seat Center–Armrest with Cupholders 7 Passenger Seating Uconnect® 5 Navigation with 10.1–Inch Display $995 GPS Navigation 9 Amplified Speakers with Subwoofer 506 Watt Amplifier Connected Travel and Traffic Services 20–Inch x 8.5–Inch Polished / Painted Alum Wheels $1,495 265/50R20 BSW All–Season LRR Tires Destination Charge $1,795 TOTAL PRICE: * $54,375 WARRANTY COVERAGE 5–year or 60,000–mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. 3–year or 36,000–mile Basic Limited Warranty. Ask Dealer for a copy of the limited warranties or

If there are features not available in the optional packages on the lower trim, then by definition it’s not fully loaded.

 

[Tellmeride]

Based on prior experience, my three choices were the Telly, the Highlander, and the Pilot. Telly has them all beat room wise. Honda is having some serious quality issues right now. In the end we went with the Telly, but the Highlander was a close second. But maximum room was not our concern. Not interested in any of the US brands or the European either.

Any reason why you call it the Telly but not Highly and Pily for the others??

 

[sprengBoard]

Telly, Highly, and Pily were sitting at a bar……

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[Tellthemride]

Any reason why you call it the Telly but not Highly and Pily for the others??

Because now you need to call the rest Explory, Pathfindy, Ascenty, Atly, Pally.

 

[leedogg]

My suggestion is, if you dont need AWD, the Kia Carnival is by far the best competition for the Telluride right now. All that space the AWD system takes is directly converted into cargo room in the carnival. That thing has a cavernous trunk. Way more flexible seat configurations (mid row middle seat is adjustable/removable) and has all the latest tech...the only thing lacking that the Telly has is AWD.

 

[Jaggrey]

I remember reading somewhere that contrary to popular belief, a car has the most issues not on a full redesign but during the mid cycle refresh that comes after a couple years. I guess it’s all the little tweaks and adjustments that happen at that time.

I remember being concerned when I ordered and got my Telluride since I’ve never had a Kia. But I continue to be impressed almost two years and 28k in.

I think the only thing I would consider now is the upcoming replacement to the CX-9. I love that car but didn’t get one cuz of the lack of space. If the new one is roomier and that PHEV option isn’t too expensive I may take a hard look.

 

[Ferg42995]

I remember reading somewhere that contrary to popular belief, a car has the most issues not on a full redesign but during the mid cycle refresh that comes after a couple years. I guess it’s all the little tweaks and adjustments that happen at that time.

I remember being concerned when I ordered and got my Telluride since I’ve never had a Kia. But I continue to be impressed almost two years and 28k in.

I think the only thing I would consider now is the upcoming replacement to the CX-9. I love that car but didn’t get one cuz of the lack of space. If the new one is roomier and that PHEV option isn’t too expensive I may take a hard look.

We did like the CX9 when we were shopping. But for the money, we felt we got more bang for the buck with a Telluride so went with it instead. But the CX9 was a nice vehicle.