Open Letter to Kia - How I'd Improve the Telluride

[Sal Collaziano]

Kia executives have been watching this community for years. They've also made improvements to their vehicles based upon what they've read here. They are listening to you.

This discussion will serve as a quick and easy way for Kia executives to gauge interest and help make decisions moving forward.

As a Telluride driver, you should state exactly what you'd like to see enhanced, added, and/or omitted from your Kia Telluride.

Any posts that don't stick to the subject matter will be moved elsewhere.

 

[vinylhaircut]

I'd love a plug-in hybrid version.

 

[KMiles]

I would love two visors for the driver, the current one could be moved to the driver's side window and a second one behind it that would flip down towards the windshield. I drive frequently through winding roads and constantly moving the single visor drives me crazy and is distracting. I would also love to have a wireless Apple CarPlay option.

 

[Exaggerbator]

I started a gripe thread on Reddit (KiaTelluride sub) and there have been some good responses with exactly this type of input and feedback.

My gripes:

I still don’t understand some of the design decisions even though I love the car. I know some are cost cutters but not all and I would still like the option to buy the nicer things at least.

- The piano black interior trim
- Removing the iconic halo DRLs.
- 3 different black/gray finishes on the outside trim - mostly x-line
- The gloss black in general on the external trim and grill
- No LEDs for the reverse and license plate lights
- Removing the Telluride lettering from the hood
- Silver emblems and lettering on the X-Line/Nightfall trim
- No wireless CarPlay
- Different material on the 3rd row seats
- No electronic steering wheel adjustment
- Auto start/stop setting doesn’t stick
- No protection on the top of the rear bumper
- Rear wiper isn’t under the rear spoiler
- No quad exhaust
- No real 4wd on the X-line trims
- No other engine options

______________________________

 

[LarryT]

I suppose this would be considered a SiriusXM issue but there is nowhere in the Kia Manuals that it tells you how to find the radio ID I needed to transfer my subscription to the new Telluride. I had to do a google search to find the answer. The answer is you select channel 0 and it shows on the screen.

 

[runbyu1]

I'd love a plug-in hybrid version.

This x1000. Off the line torque and gas mileage are about the only downsides of this vehicle. Plug-in Hybrid solves both---just makes sure it get at least 40 miles of range...

 

[runbyu1]

I started a gripe thread on Reddit (KiaTelluride sub) and there have been some good responses with exactly this type of input and feedback.

My gripes:

I still don’t understand some of the design decisions even though I love the car. I know some are cost cutters but not all and I would still like the option to buy the nicer things at least.

- The piano black interior trim
- Removing the iconic halo DRLs.
- 3 different black/gray finishes on the outside trim - mostly x-line
- The gloss black in general on the external trim and grill
- No LEDs for the reverse and license plate lights
- Removing the Telluride lettering from the hood
- Silver emblems and lettering on the X-Line/Nightfall trim
- No wireless CarPlay
- Different material on the 3rd row seats
- No electronic steering wheel adjustment
- Auto start/stop setting doesn’t stick
- No protection on the top of the rear bumper
- Rear wiper isn’t under the rear spoiler
- No quad exhaust
- No real 4wd on the X-line trims
- No other engine options

Wow you pretty much nailed all that. Removing the iconic halo daytime running lights is just so hard to understand, as is removing the Telluride lettering from the hood. Wireless CarPlay is needed!

 

[gman1868]

The seat is adjustable but the tilt is too limited. The base needs to be able to tilt much more up in the front.

______________________________

 

[Lostluggage]

upgrade the "premium" audio. The HK system is a B- / C+ system, at best. zero punch to it

 

[OldPilot]

OK, here are a few thoughts:

Defining the User Interface broadly to include the owner documents, it’s a train wreck. The index to the main manual is hopeless. I wanted to find out what the fuel capacity was: “Fuel” didn’t find it. “Gas” didn’t find it. “Capacities” didn’t find it. A hunt through the book found it, a table titled “Recommended Lubricants and Capacities” -- in the index under “R” ??!!?

The manuals often refer to features with cautions like “If your car has this feature.” Well, it’s a new car to me, leading to a sort of whack-a-mole game where I read about a feature then attempt to find it in the dashboard interface. We’ve had publish-on-demand book production for years. For each car coming off the line, publish documentation to suit. Include what’s in the car and eliminate the mysteries.

My choices when driving the car should be “sticky.” If I was in Sport mode when I parked, I should be in Sport mode when I restart. I am not interested in some software weenie’s opinion about how I should behave.

The “Take a Break” feature is obnoxious and doubly so by being something I cannot turn off. I spent 15 years racing sports cars and developed a driving style that minimizes movements of the steering wheel. The devil that determines break times apparently interprets this as inattention and shows itself as soon as 20 minutes or so into a trip. I bought a car; I did not hire a surrogate mother.

The car’s user interface suffers from a common disease: The programmers insist on showing us all their tricks. The result is incredible clutter -- the “Radio” screen when playing a station for example. This is not just annoying; it is dangerous. A driver wishing to get some information or make a change is held from eyes-on-the-road by the decoding time to wade through the clutter. More clutter: I don’t need to choose the number of times the turn signals flash when the lever is pressed.

I sometimes fly airplanes with Garmin electronic panels. They have a wonderful button: “Declutter.” Push it twice after engine start and most of the programmers’ tricks disappear. I only have a few more to extinguish before I’m ready to taxi.

I have an “EX” because I needed the second row bench seat. It is beyond egregious that the software hides the pretty simulated analog gauges that could easily be displayed with zero manufacturing cost.

Background: I am a computer designer and programmer by trade and a “car guy” by inclination. I have owned cars ranging from a 900cc Morris Minor “woodie” wagon to a real (not Mustang) Shelby 289 Cobra. Also Lotus, Jensen, Merkur, Nissan and Chev pickups, … I understand this stuff.

 

[Numbersguy]

I'd like to see a hybrid version, not plug in. Get rid of the Kia "lips" on the front of the existing Telluride.

 

[Tellmeride]

Default the damn engine auto restart to OFF

______________________________

 

[OldPilot]

Default the damn engine auto restart to OFF

I have read, don't remember where, that if they do their government CAFE fuel economy testing using the auto restart then they must default it to ON for production vehicles..

 

[Jnjj]

Backlit Homelink buttons on mirror. To hard to search for the correct button at night.

 

[YEH]

I'd love a plug-in hybrid version.

This x1000. Off the line torque and gas mileage are about the only downsides of this vehicle. Plug-in Hybrid solves both---just makes sure it get at least 40 miles of range...

I'd like to see a hybrid version, not plug in. Get rid of the Kia "lips" on the front of the existing Telluride.

HEV in the form of a new 2.5T hybrid powertrain has already been confirmed for the next generation Palisade, as well as the 3.5T V6, so the Telluride should be getting them as well (surprised we have yet to see even a mule of the next Tellurude).

Considering the report that the Palisade is getting 2 hybrid powertrains, and the 2.5/T? PHEV confirmed for the Santa Fe, in all likelihood, headed for the Palisade as well.

Hybrids and the 3.5T V6 had to wait til the Palisade/Tellurude finally switched to the N3 platform (the last models to do so).

Considering the powertrain options and renders of what it may look inside and out, would choose the next Palisade over the Lexus TX easily.

The front passenger seat should have the same range of adjustability (and the thigh support extender) as the driver's seat; should also have the ergo-motion function in higher trims.

No reason why the spouse shouldn't have the same creature comforts, plus on extended road trips, not uncommon for spouses to rotate driving.

Considering that Genesis has switched from Lexicon (a Harman Kardon company) to B&O, wouldn't be surprised if we see a switch for the Palisade/Telluride as well.

H/K have been using Krell Audio in some of their models in Korea.

And while it seems that H/K have been moving away from it - NO piano black trim anywhere in the interior.

For the exterior, limit the amount of chrome trim or better yet, make it pewter/gunmetal.

Despite what some reviewers have been advocating, would keep with smaller, dual sun/moon roofs than a panoramic roof - too problematic and compromises roof integrity.

Also, don't go too crazy with wheel sizes (would actually like to see a more modest size offered for price the top trims); would much rather have wider tires (better grip/handling) than 21" or 22" wheels.

 

[Vincenzo]

HEV in the form of a new 2.5T hybrid powertrain has already been confirmed for the next generation Palisade, as well as the 3.5T V6, so the Telluride should be getting them as well (surprised we have yet to see even a mule of the next Tellurude).

Considering the report that the Palisade is getting 2 hybrid powertrains, and the 2.5/T? PHEV confirmed for the Santa Fe, in all likelihood, headed for the Palisade as well.

Hybrids and the 3.5T V6 had to wait til the Palisade/Tellurude finally switched to the N3 platform (the last models to do so).

Considering the powertrain options and renders of what it may look inside and out, would choose the next Palisade over the Lexus TX easily.

The front passenger seat should have the same range of adjustability (and the thigh support extender) as the driver's seat; should also have the ergo-motion function in higher trims.

No reason why the spouse shouldn't have the same creature comforts, plus on extended road trips, not uncommon for spouses to rotate driving.

Considering that Genesis has switched from Lexicon (a Harman Kardon company) to B&O, wouldn't be surprised if we see a switch for the Palisade/Telluride as well.

H/K have been using Krell Audio in some of their models in Korea.

And while it seems that H/K have been moving away from it - NO piano black trim anywhere in the interior.

For the exterior, limit the amount of chrome trim or better yet, make it pewter/gunmetal.

Despite what some reviewers have been advocating, would keep with smaller, dual sun/moon roofs than a panoramic roof - too problematic and compromises roof integrity.

Also, don't go too crazy with wheel sizes (would actually like to see a more modest size offered for price the top trims); would much rather have wider tires (better grip/handling) than 21" or 22" wheels.

Larger wheels equates to better handling. Less tire sidewall, less tire flex

______________________________

 

[Vincenzo]

Having my Telluride for a month now, my only complaints at this moment.
-Auto Stop, I will be considering the AutoStopEliminator.
-I can’t stand that the display doesn’t open with the radio screen.
-I would like drive mode to stay where I last used it.
-Steering wheel buttons are too close to the edge. I sometimes inadvertently hit when steering.

 

[WhiteSX]

HEV in the form of a new 2.5T hybrid powertrain has already been confirmed for the next generation Palisade, as well as the 3.5T V6, so the Telluride should be getting them as well (surprised we have yet to see even a mule of the next Tellurude).

Considering the report that the Palisade is getting 2 hybrid powertrains, and the 2.5/T? PHEV confirmed for the Santa Fe, in all likelihood, headed for the Palisade as well.

Hybrids and the 3.5T V6 had to wait til the Palisade/Tellurude finally switched to the N3 platform (the last models to do so).

Considering the powertrain options and renders of what it may look inside and out, would choose the next Palisade over the Lexus TX easily.

The front passenger seat should have the same range of adjustability (and the thigh support extender) as the driver's seat; should also have the ergo-motion function in higher trims.

No reason why the spouse shouldn't have the same creature comforts, plus on extended road trips, not uncommon for spouses to rotate driving.

Considering that Genesis has switched from Lexicon (a Harman Kardon company) to B&O, wouldn't be surprised if we see a switch for the Palisade/Telluride as well.

H/K have been using Krell Audio in some of their models in Korea.

And while it seems that H/K have been moving away from it - NO piano black trim anywhere in the interior.

For the exterior, limit the amount of chrome trim or better yet, make it pewter/gunmetal.

Despite what some reviewers have been advocating, would keep with smaller, dual sun/moon roofs than a panoramic roof - too problematic and compromises roof integrity.

Also, don't go too crazy with wheel sizes (would actually like to see a more modest size offered for price the top trims); would much rather have wider tires (better grip/handling) than 21" or 22" wheels.

"Considering that Genesis has switched from Lexicon (a Harman Kardon company) to B&O, wouldn't be surprised if we see a switch for the Palisade/Telluride as well"

Follow the money. AKG®, Bang & Olufsen®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® , Mark Levinson ® and Revel® are all brands owned by Harman, which in turn is owned by Samsung.

 

[Maxton]

Stop auto dimming the screen!
My 2023 SX doesn't have an option to stop auto dim, its ridiculous. It auto dims constantly whether there is a cloud or a bridge. Its very distracting.
Add the auto dim off button to the menu.

 

[rcoplien]

*Wireless Carplay
*Port fuel injection V6 engine with better torque.
*Piano black needs to go
*Once auto stop is off keep it off so I don't have to use the eliminator
*Backlit Homelink buttons on mirror.