Never Thought I’d Buy a Kia

[Snowbeast]

When Kia first started selling cars in the US in the mid-90s, I was in high school. I recall hearing someone remark at the time that Kia was a terrible name for a car company, since KIA in military parlance stands for “killed in action”. I agreed!

In the years since, I’ve never had any desire to own or even consider a Kia product.

Their lineup has always seemed like one aimed at the teeming masses who simply need an economical way to get from A to B. Nothing wrong with that, obviously; the brand just never excited me much. My wife has always felt the same. Even before we met.

Fast forward to today: we can’t wait to get our hands on our new Kia Telluride SX Prestige in a week and a half! It’s kind of silly how giddy we are to get it.

Maybe we’ve just bought into the hype and will be sorely disappointed when we take delivery because it will be impossible for reality to meet our sky-high expectations at this point, but something tells me we won’t be.

The advent of this new Telluride tells me that Kia is hungry to overcome their reputation for simply producing affordable, unexciting, economy cars and move up market to go toe-to-toe with the big boys.

If the Telluride is Kia’s shot across the bow, I say the big boys better watch out!

 

[rwhite4573]

When Kia first started selling cars in the US in the mid-90s, I was in high school. I recall hearing someone remark at the time that Kia was a terrible name for a car company, since KIA in military parlance stands for “killed in action”. I agreed!

In the years since, I’ve never had any desire to own or even consider a Kia product.

Their lineup has always seemed like one aimed at the teeming masses who simply need an economical way to get from A to B. Nothing wrong with that, obviously; the brand just never excited me much. My wife has always felt the same. Even before we met.

Fast forward to today: we can’t wait to get our hands on our new Kia Telluride SX Prestige in a week and a half! It’s kind of silly how giddy we are to get it.

Maybe we’ve just bought into the hype and will be sorely disappointed when we take delivery because it will be impossible for reality to meet our sky-high expectations at this point, but something tells me we won’t be.

The advent of this new Telluride tells me that Kia is hungry to overcome their reputation for simply producing affordable, unexciting, economy cars and move up market to go toe-to-toe with the big boys.

If the Telluride is Kia’s shot across the bow, I say the big boys better watch out!

Welcome Snowbeast


I have approximately 20 days to get my SXP and can't wait until I get it.

I never even considered a KIA Brand Automobile. If it wasn't for the Telluride I still wouldn't of looked at KIA. I was looking for a new car/truck online and the Telluride picture showed up and I Test drove a Telluride and I was sold instantly. The Telly drives nice and it looks awesome.

About 2 months ago I told my brother and showed him pictures of the Telly and my brother said it looks sweet. Brother asked who makes it and I told him KIA and he said "really you are buying a KIA" My response YEP! Still to this day he tells me " It's a KIA".

Now today he was looking at a Toyota Camry for a new car and I told him about KIA Optima and he said looks nice maybe he would test drive. I have given him all the warranty and reliability and reviews regarding KIA.

 

[eonblue]

When Kia first started selling cars in the US in the mid-90s, I was in high school. I recall hearing someone remark at the time that Kia was a terrible name for a car company, since KIA in military parlance stands for “killed in action”. I agreed!

In the years since, I’ve never had any desire to own or even consider a Kia product.

Their lineup has always seemed like one aimed at the teeming masses who simply need an economical way to get from A to B. Nothing wrong with that, obviously; the brand just never excited me much. My wife has always felt the same. Even before we met.

Fast forward to today: we can’t wait to get our hands on our new Kia Telluride SX Prestige in a week and a half! It’s kind of silly how giddy we are to get it.

Maybe we’ve just bought into the hype and will be sorely disappointed when we take delivery because it will be impossible for reality to meet our sky-high expectations at this point, but something tells me we won’t be.

The advent of this new Telluride tells me that Kia is hungry to overcome their reputation for simply producing affordable, unexciting, economy cars and move up market to go toe-to-toe with the big boys.

If the Telluride is Kia’s shot across the bow, I say the big boys better watch out!

I was super high on the Telluride before checking it out/test driving it. After doing so I was kind of shocked to find that it exceeded my expectations in almost every way. Hope it stays that way when I pick it up tomorrow! Havent been in one in like 3 months.

 

[jazzyone]

When Kia first started selling cars in the US in the mid-90s, I was in high school. I recall hearing someone remark at the time that Kia was a terrible name for a car company, since KIA in military parlance stands for “killed in action”. I agreed!

In the years since, I’ve never had any desire to own or even consider a Kia product.

Their lineup has always seemed like one aimed at the teeming masses who simply need an economical way to get from A to B. Nothing wrong with that, obviously; the brand just never excited me much. My wife has always felt the same. Even before we met.

Fast forward to today: we can’t wait to get our hands on our new Kia Telluride SX Prestige in a week and a half! It’s kind of silly how giddy we are to get it.

Maybe we’ve just bought into the hype and will be sorely disappointed when we take delivery because it will be impossible for reality to meet our sky-high expectations at this point, but something tells me we won’t be.

The advent of this new Telluride tells me that Kia is hungry to overcome their reputation for simply producing affordable, unexciting, economy cars and move up market to go toe-to-toe with the big boys.

If the Telluride is Kia’s shot across the bow, I say the big boys better watch out!

First time buyer here.....Never considered a KIA either. Just happened to see it on the internet and took a test drive in early April. I really loved it! Two weeks later I purchased an EX and haven't looked back. I still am very very please with my decision! The tech is amazing, it's safe, gas mileage is great (for a vehicle this size), it is quiet, it's really roomy, it is smooth, engine has more than enough power (for me), the seat fold down flat. I can go on and on.....You'll love it!!

Yeah, there are some negatives but positives outweigh the negatives.....

Only regret? I should have gotten at least a SX if not a SXP but those don't come with 2nd row bench seats!

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[plutoridge]

My first Kia product. Even though I wouldn't say I was skeptical when going for Telluride after seeing positive reviews but the name Kia drew blank cold stares from family and friends. But now I have been driving Telluride for 3+ months, its a wide huge satisfactory grin on my face and impressed looks from family and friends. Kia delivered huge with Telluride product!

Now its KickAss In Action!

 

[Snowbeast]

Welcome Snowbeast


I have approximately 20 days to get my SXP and can't wait until I get it.

I never even considered a KIA Brand Automobile. If it wasn't for the Telluride I still wouldn't of looked at KIA. I was looking for a new car/truck online and the Telluride picture showed up and I Test drove a Telluride and I was sold instantly. The Telly drives nice and it looks awesome.

About 2 months ago I told my brother and showed him pictures of the Telly and my brother said it looks sweet. Brother asked who makes it and I told him KIA and he said "really you are buying a KIA" My response YEP! Still to this day he tells me " It's a KIA".

Now today he was looking at a Toyota Camry for a new car and I told him about KIA Optima and he said looks nice maybe he would test drive. I have given him all the warranty and reliability and reviews regarding KIA.

Haha! It’s funny how long people will stubbornly cling to their opinions of a brand.

We recently bought a 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite because our 2010 Honda Odyssey EXL had served us so amazingly well for the previous 9 years, but the 2018 model is NOT the 2010 model in terms of reliability. We had to replace the transmission at 13,000 miles!!

Turns out, Honda is no longer the reliable brand of yesteryear and Kia is no longer the boring brand of yesteryear!

The tables have turned, but people still cling to their outdated opinions.

But the open minded get to drive Tellurides!

 

[Snowbeast]

First time buyer here.....Never considered a KIA either. Just happened to see it on the internet and took a test drive in early April. I really loved it! Two weeks later I purchased an EX and haven't looked back. I still am very very please with my decision! The tech is amazing, it's safe, gas mileage is great (for a vehicle this size), it is quiet, it's really roomy, it is smooth, engine has more than enough power (for me), the seat fold down flat. I can go on and on.....You'll love it!!

Yeah, there are some negatives but positives outweigh the negatives.....

Only regret? I should have gotten at least a SX if not a SXP but those don't come with 2nd row bench seats!

Glad to hear you’re still loving it! Can’t wait!

 

[Tim-in-CA]

See below for my current and previously owned vehicles. Most were/are much more expensive (some 2.5x the price) and the Kia has definitely exceeded my expectations. The reaction I get from most people I know is initially “You bought a Kia?!” ... but after I show them the Telluride, they typically come assay impressed.

______________________________

 

[Snowbeast]

My first Kia product. Even though I wouldn't say I was skeptical when going for Telluride after seeing positive reviews but the name Kia drew blank cold stares from family and friends. But now I have been driving Telluride for 3+ months, its a wide huge satisfactory grin on my face and impressed looks from family and friends. Kia delivered huge with Telluride product!

Now its KickAss In Action!

Haha! Love it! Looking forward to sporting that wide, huge, satisfied grin in a week or so!

 

[Snowbeast]

I was super high on the Telluride before checking it out/test driving it. After doing so I was kind of shocked to find that it exceeded my expectations in almost every way. Hope it stays that way when I pick it up tomorrow! Havent been in one in like 3 months.

So awesome that you get yours today! We’ve got another week or so to wait. :/

 

[Snowbeast]

See below for my current and previously owned vehicles. Most were/are much more expensive (some 2.5x the price) and the Kia has definitely exceeded my expectations. The reaction I get from most people I know is initially “You bought a Kia?!” ... but after I show them the Telluride, they typically come assay impressed.

You bought a Kia?! Haha!

Look at the Telluride...hangin’ with the 2.5x vehicles in terms of exceeding expectations!

 

[np86]

When I started looking for a car in March, I refused to even look at KIA's because i've driven my dads sportage and I hated the drive of the car. I looked at Volvo's, Audi's, LR, pretty much anything nice with a 3rd row seat and we just weren't impressed with the size (the drive is a totally different story). I walked out of the Volvo dealership and their Kia dealer was next door and we saw the Telluride and as much as I liked the look and inside it was "still a KIA". I took 2 weeks looking at everything but KIA when I decided to atleast test drive it and look into it. Put my deposit down the next day.
It took 4.5 months to get our Telluride, but 1 month in and almost 3k miles in, we are loving the car!

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[eonblue]

When I started looking for a car in March, I refused to even look at KIA's because i've driven my dads sportage and I hated the drive of the car. I looked at Volvo's, Audi's, LR, pretty much anything nice with a 3rd row seat and we just weren't impressed with the size (the drive is a totally different story). I walked out of the Volvo dealership and their Kia dealer was next door and we saw the Telluride and as much as I liked the look and inside it was "still a KIA". I took 2 weeks looking at everything but KIA when I decided to atleast test drive it and look into it. Put my deposit down the next day.
It took 4.5 months to get our Telluride, but 1 month in and almost 3k miles in, we are loving the car!

Speaking of cars i was disappointed in. I was left pretty underwhelmed by the XC90. I wanted to love it so bad but just didnt.

 

[Stacyg]

I started with my first Kia 7 years ago when my cousin from showed up on thanksgiving with the new Optima loved the look and immediately leased one! 3 years later leased the cadenza it drove as good as a previous Lincoln LS. My lease is up this month now that I have 3 grandchildren I needed a third row suv! My neighbor who drives a suburban can not understand why I would spend that much on a Kia! Lol can t wait till he sees it in the driveway! Lol. I love Kia I have a strong feeling that this brand is going to lose its name as a budget brand in the very near future. I just hope the prices don’t jump!

 

[Snowbeast]

Speaking of cars i was disappointed in. I was left pretty underwhelmed by the XC90. I wanted to love it so bad but just didnt.

We read so many negative reviews on the XC90 that we didn’t even bother test driving it. Sounds like that was a good call.

 

[Snowbeast]

I started with my first Kia 7 years ago when my cousin from showed up on thanksgiving with the new Optima loved the look and immediately leased one! 3 years later leased the cadenza it drove as good as a previous Lincoln LS. My lease is up this month now that I have 3 grandchildren I needed a third row suv! My neighbor who drives a suburban can not understand why I would spend that much on a Kia! Lol can t wait till he sees it in the driveway! Lol. I love Kia I have a strong feeling that this brand is going to lose its name as a budget brand in the very near future. I just hope the prices don’t jump!

If Kia keeps bringing their A game, I suspect you’re right.

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[ucinn]

I started with my first Kia 7 years ago when my cousin from showed up on thanksgiving with the new Optima loved the look and immediately leased one! 3 years later leased the cadenza it drove as good as a previous Lincoln LS. My lease is up this month now that I have 3 grandchildren I needed a third row suv! My neighbor who drives a suburban can not understand why I would spend that much on a Kia! Lol can t wait till he sees it in the driveway! Lol. I love Kia I have a strong feeling that this brand is going to lose its name as a budget brand in the very near future. I just hope the prices don’t jump!

You should be asking your neighbor why they would spend so much for a chevy...lol

 

[Owner]

You should be asking your neighbor why they would spend so much for a chevy...lol

Seriously, right! $80K+ on an oversized Tahoe. And I love Tahoes. I drove one for 15 years but no way I'm spending $60K on a new one. Traded it in with 215K miles for a Telluride. Best decision ever.

 

[Tellmeride]

I got started with KIA way back when Blake Griffin jumped over an Optima in the Slam Dunk Contest on national TV! So dope!

True story? Nope!

 

[bogie]

In my 3-1/2 year quest to find something to replace my 2012 Ford Escape, which replaced my 2001 Mazda Tribute (essentially, the same car for nearly 19 years), I researched everything (I'm a bit anal that way).

First was the 2017 GMC Terrain - loved the look of it and most everything else about it - until I got it for an overnight test drive. The dash is backlit in red, with the dash buttons being tiny, all my (admittedly old) eyes saw was a large blob of red. Wife liked it enough, we went ahead and got her one (we were going to buy 2). The experience did teach me that an overnight test drive is a requirement to be able to drive on the roads usually driven on; to make sure the interior and exterior lights work for me; that the vehicle fits into the garage; that the seats really are comfortable for my daily drive - just a better opportunity to make sure an expensive item fits the bill.

Waited a year for the totally redesigned 2018 Terrain - or should I say, butchered - 'nough said... IMHO, they did everything wrong with the redesign

Next was the Volvo XC-40 - was nice; good tech; but, to me, had a much worse ride than my 7 year old Escape and wasn't inexpensive

Then, the redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe - liked it, except the extra cost for the turbo outweighed the additional performance gained (and gas mileage lost) and without it, couldn't tow much.

Next up, redesigned VW Tiguan - lots of things to not like for me...

Then the redesigned (well, sorta) Subaru Forester - liked the upright look, wasn't satisfied with the CVT (even with the artificial '7-speed' shift points), and the knee well of the front seat just didn't work.

Then there was the 2020 Honda Passport - never got around to driving this one, didn't like their interpretation of the push button trans - spread out on the console, saving no room at all and they were very proud of the vehicle based on the price.

What the Passport did do for me - it was what brought me to the auto show last Feb where I met the Telluride, quite by mistake. Got a ride in one on the Kia 'test track'; spent a lot of time inspecting one on the floor. Spent the rest of the day comparing other vehicles at the show to the Telluride... for looks, feel inside, warranty and price - nothing compared (except, maybe, the Palisade). I read everything I could about the Telluride over the next couple of weeks - luckily, there was lots out there... the more I read, the more I liked. Ordered a SXP w/T in Mar, only to have the stealer sell it to someone else for more $$$ that he agreed in my deal before he knew how popular they became (I was just a little PO'd). Anyway, ended up ordering from a reputable dealer who took mercy on me for my trials and tribulations, agreed that I could have it for an overnight test drive when it arrived and priced it right.

Love the SXP - sure, there are some little things (like I wish the auto hold and cruise were on by default), but nothing that was/is a show stopper. Love the ride; the quietness; the driver's space; the exterior and interior lighting; the gas mileage (24.7 overall for my 480 mile trip home and 38 mile r/t commute for the past week or so - better than the Escape); the overall value for the money when considering the price, the warranty & MPG when compared to others. The little things I'll either figure out how to defeat (hopefully with the help of a robust aftermarket once they realize the potential), or just get used to them. Oh, BTW, it just barley fits into my garage space - may have to swap which space I'm in with the wife's terrain

So, I say to them - Yeah, it's a Kia and I love it!


(Sorry for the long story - would be a bunch longer if I told the whole story of losing the first Telluride...)