Telluride in snow

[Steve in Denver]

I'm in Denver (if you couldn't tell by my screen name), and we got dumped on last night. In my neck of the woods we have had about 12" so far based on the few measurements I made.

My Telluride is AWD, and I happened to have a fresh set of snow tires sitting at the Discount Tire right up the road. So this morning I was able to do a back to back comparison with the stock (michelin) tires vs Cooper Discoverer True North tires. Both are essentially brand new (1200 miles on the Michelins) And for fun, I also took out my Subaru Outback (2016) which has some Nokian WR G4 tires mounted.

For those not familiar with the WR G4 tires, they are "all weather" tires (emphatically not "all season") which basically means they are meant to be used year round (so none of the super soft rubber like true winter tires), but are designed to work well in snow and ice. My previous comparisons show that they are *significantly* better than all season tires in snow/ice, and actually approach the performance of lower tier winter tires (like the General Altimax), but good winter tires are clearly superior, at least in some conditions)

So, preliminary impressions...

The Telluride does pretty well in the snow (factory tires) with the AWD lock mode engaged (I didn't spend much time with it off, so I can't really comment on the difference it makes). I was able to easily get out of my neighborhood, which was a mix of totally fresh snow in some places, light tracks in some places, and then on the main drag out it had seen a fair amount of traffic. I could tell there was "something" going on with the AWD / ABS system when starting from a stop (and getting some slip) as it would "engage" in some way that would improve traction. I think it's the abs / torque vectoring function like my Subaru has. It didn't provide the smoothest experience, but it was definitely effective. I was doing about the same, maybe a little better, than the other AWD (Pilot, Highlander, etc) vehicles around me. Ice (compressed, frozen snow-slush) was more difficult, but not in a "I might get stuck" kind of way, more of a "I can't accelerate and brake as fast as I want." I saw more than a few cars (FWD in most cases, I think) that were truly stuck, or had lost confidence in trying to move.

I had done a good amount of research and landed on Cooper Discoverer True North tires. My experience with Blizzaks was that they wore out too fast (they are incredible tires, though)...In my research I learned that, in Europe anyway, winter tires are divided into two groups...I think "Nordic" and "European" or "Nordic" and "Alpine" are the labels I have seen used....I think, more or less, the Nordic tires are meant to be used where you will encounter snow / ice the majority of the time, where the "European" or "Alpine" tires are meant to be used in mixed conditions...dry roads in warmer temperatures sometimes, with some periods of snow or ice...which is what we get in Denver. I might have the labels or details about the tires a bit wrong, but the point is not all winter tires are created equal (and it's not just whether they can be studded or not) So I avoided Blizzaks (they seem more like a Nordic tire based on my experience) and similarly stayed away from the Nokians and other similar tires. I'm not really sure that the Coopers are better in this regard (longer treadlife when driving on dry pavement) but that's what I'm hoping for (without giving up too much winter performance)

So, after the winter tires I had the same reaction I always do. Holy shit! Winter tires definitely make a huge difference. Ice (again, compressed/frozen snow-slush type of ice) traction was much improved, snow traction as well. Stopping was significantly improved, as was turning. The AWD system didn't have to actively intervene much (at all?) once the snow tires were on. I went wherever I wanted to go. The main limiting factor was snow depth. The only time I thought I might get stuck (and I didn't really come close) is when the snow was high enough that I started "floating" (and at times I was plowing through enough snow that it covered the windshield and I couldn't see). It really worked well and inspired confidence.

As a comparison point (and with a car I'm much more familiar with) I drove the Subaru with the WR G4 tires...I didn't go in the deepest snow (I'm afraid I might get stuck, not sure of the ground clearance), and although it didn't have true snow tires, it did really well, too. The Subaru was not as sure footed (it felt floaty when the Telluride didn't, but that was actually pretty fun), but overall it drove and stopped very well. Turning wasn't as good, I think. It's obviously not an apples to apples comparison, but the Subaru had no problem handling the conditions and was very confidence inspiring...being a smaller vehicle made it easier to drive in some ways, but I'm also very familiar with it to begin with.

I would say the Telluride has a capable AWD system, and I'd put it better than the Sienna AWD that I recently had. I'm not sure how I would rate it compared to the Subaru.. I'm inclined to say the Subaru system is better, but I will have to drive both some more to get a more complete picture.

I will try to post some pictures / videos later.

Lots of snow + new AWD vehicle + snow tires = fun day.

 

[Husker Soze]

I would say the Telluride has a capable AWD system, and I'd put it better than the Sienna AWD that I recently had.

I was scanning your post and saw this part. Ummm, yeah, I guess thats your opinion.

 

[JayCO]

I was scanning your post and saw this part. Ummm, yeah, I guess thats your opinion.

What's the issue with that statement?

 

[Steve in Denver]

I was scanning your post and saw this part. Ummm, yeah, I guess thats your opinion.

Are you saying that you think the Sienna AWD is better? I owned one for over a year, and while it did better than I thought it would, I don't think it's better than the Telluride. If nothing else the Telluride has a way to manually "lock" the center diff, which the Sienna did not. I don't have enough experience to say anything definitive yet, but my first impression remains, and I'd say the Telluride AWD is better (and certainly no worse).

How much time have you spent in snow in both cars?

______________________________

 

[ucinn]

We were in a whiteout the other night and had a big hill to climb. Half way up the hill a semi was stuck. I got up to him and had to wait on cars coming the other way.. I put it in lock mode and went around him with no tire slippage or anything with the stock all season Michelins on it. It worked admirably.

 

[Husker Soze]

What's the issue with that statement?

Context. Comparing an AWD system of mid-size SUV to a minivan.

Are you saying that you think the Sienna AWD is better? I owned one for over a year, and while it did better than I thought it would, I don't think it's better than the Telluride. If nothing else the Telluride has a way to manually "lock" the center diff, which the Sienna did not. I don't have enough experience to say anything definitive yet, but my first impression remains, and I'd say the Telluride AWD is better (and certainly no worse).

How much time have you spent in snow in both cars?

No.

What I'm trying to say is I wouldn't expect a minivan's AWD system to be better than a mid-size AWD SUV, doesn't matter if its the Telluride.

 

[ucinn]

I would think just the opposite. An SUV is made for off roading thus should have the better AWD system in it. Mini vans aren't made for off roading and just need to deal with the occasional snow on the street.

 

[Tellmeride]

Tire is the #1 variable.

In snow conditions: FWD w/ snow tires > AWD in performance tires

______________________________

 

[MrJon]

I'm in Denver (if you couldn't tell by my screen name), and we got dumped on last night. In my neck of the woods we have had about 12" so far based on the few measurements I made.

My Telluride is AWD, and I happened to have a fresh set of snow tires sitting at the Discount Tire right up the road. So this morning I was able to do a back to back comparison with the stock (michelin) tires vs Cooper Discoverer True North tires. Both are essentially brand new (1200 miles on the Michelins) And for fun, I also took out my Subaru Outback (2016) which has some Nokian WR G4 tires mounted.

For those not familiar with the WR G4 tires, they are "all weather" tires (emphatically not "all season") which basically means they are meant to be used year round (so none of the super soft rubber like true winter tires), but are designed to work well in snow and ice. My previous comparisons show that they are *significantly* better than all season tires in snow/ice, and actually approach the performance of lower tier winter tires (like the General Altimax), but good winter tires are clearly superior, at least in some conditions)

So, preliminary impressions...

The Telluride does pretty well in the snow (factory tires) with the AWD lock mode engaged (I didn't spend much time with it off, so I can't really comment on the difference it makes). I was able to easily get out of my neighborhood, which was a mix of totally fresh snow in some places, light tracks in some places, and then on the main drag out it had seen a fair amount of traffic. I could tell there was "something" going on with the AWD / ABS system when starting from a stop (and getting some slip) as it would "engage" in some way that would improve traction. I think it's the abs / torque vectoring function like my Subaru has. It didn't provide the smoothest experience, but it was definitely effective. I was doing about the same, maybe a little better, than the other AWD (Pilot, Highlander, etc) vehicles around me. Ice (compressed, frozen snow-slush) was more difficult, but not in a "I might get stuck" kind of way, more of a "I can't accelerate and brake as fast as I want." I saw more than a few cars (FWD in most cases, I think) that were truly stuck, or had lost confidence in trying to move.

I had done a good amount of research and landed on Cooper Discoverer True North tires. My experience with Blizzaks was that they wore out too fast (they are incredible tires, though)...In my research I learned that, in Europe anyway, winter tires are divided into two groups...I think "Nordic" and "European" or "Nordic" and "Alpine" are the labels I have seen used....I think, more or less, the Nordic tires are meant to be used where you will encounter snow / ice the majority of the time, where the "European" or "Alpine" tires are meant to be used in mixed conditions...dry roads in warmer temperatures sometimes, with some periods of snow or ice...which is what we get in Denver. I might have the labels or details about the tires a bit wrong, but the point is not all winter tires are created equal (and it's not just whether they can be studded or not) So I avoided Blizzaks (they seem more like a Nordic tire based on my experience) and similarly stayed away from the Nokians and other similar tires. I'm not really sure that the Coopers are better in this regard (longer treadlife when driving on dry pavement) but that's what I'm hoping for (without giving up too much winter performance)

So, after the winter tires I had the same reaction I always do. Holy shit! Winter tires definitely make a huge difference. Ice (again, compressed/frozen snow-slush type of ice) traction was much improved, snow traction as well. Stopping was significantly improved, as was turning. The AWD system didn't have to actively intervene much (at all?) once the snow tires were on. I went wherever I wanted to go. The main limiting factor was snow depth. The only time I thought I might get stuck (and I didn't really come close) is when the snow was high enough that I started "floating" (and at times I was plowing through enough snow that it covered the windshield and I couldn't see). It really worked well and inspired confidence.

As a comparison point (and with a car I'm much more familiar with) I drove the Subaru with the WR G4 tires...I didn't go in the deepest snow (I'm afraid I might get stuck, not sure of the ground clearance), and although it didn't have true snow tires, it did really well, too. The Subaru was not as sure footed (it felt floaty when the Telluride didn't, but that was actually pretty fun), but overall it drove and stopped very well. Turning wasn't as good, I think. It's obviously not an apples to apples comparison, but the Subaru had no problem handling the conditions and was very confidence inspiring...being a smaller vehicle made it easier to drive in some ways, but I'm also very familiar with it to begin with.

I would say the Telluride has a capable AWD system, and I'd put it better than the Sienna AWD that I recently had. I'm not sure how I would rate it compared to the Subaru.. I'm inclined to say the Subaru system is better, but I will have to drive both some more to get a more complete picture.

I will try to post some pictures / videos later.

Lots of snow + new AWD vehicle + snow tires = fun day.

Thanks for the anecdote and review. Our delivery date is scheduled for 1/3 and I had been worried about potentially needing snow tires ASAP.

 

[Steve in Denver]

Here are some videos of the Telluride in deep snow. I measured 12+ inches in my driveway, but hard to say how deep this is.

Tire is the #1 variable.

In snow conditions: FWD w/ snow tires > AWD in performance tires

I agree that tires are the biggest factor, particularly if you are comparing snow tires to performance tires. But if you have reasonably similar tires on two different cars, the AWD systems can definitely be important. (Ass anyone who has driven an AWD CRV can attest...)

What I'm trying to say is I wouldn't expect a minivan's AWD system to be better than a mid-size AWD SUV, doesn't matter if its the Telluride.

It sounds like you are saying that all mid-sized SUV AWD systems are superior to any minivan AWD system just by virtue of being an SUV? I don't think it's that clear cut - there are good and bad AWD systems / implementations out there on SUVs. I actually found the Sienna AWD system to be pretty good (for snow, at least) and I suspect it's as good or better than some systems available on mid-sized SUVs. It might not have been clear in my original post, but what I was saying is that I thought the Telluride AWD system was *better* than the Sienna, not that the Sienna's was better than the Telluride.

 

[Lucas & Craig]

I'm in Denver (if you couldn't tell by my screen name), and we got dumped on last night. In my neck of the woods we have had about 12" so far based on the few measurements I made.

My Telluride is AWD, and I happened to have a fresh set of snow tires sitting at the Discount Tire right up the road. So this morning I was able to do a back to back comparison with the stock (michelin) tires vs Cooper Discoverer True North tires. Both are essentially brand new (1200 miles on the Michelins) And for fun, I also took out my Subaru Outback (2016) which has some Nokian WR G4 tires mounted.

For those not familiar with the WR G4 tires, they are "all weather" tires (emphatically not "all season") which basically means they are meant to be used year round (so none of the super soft rubber like true winter tires), but are designed to work well in snow and ice. My previous comparisons show that they are *significantly* better than all season tires in snow/ice, and actually approach the performance of lower tier winter tires (like the General Altimax), but good winter tires are clearly superior, at least in some conditions)

So, preliminary impressions...

The Telluride does pretty well in the snow (factory tires) with the AWD lock mode engaged (I didn't spend much time with it off, so I can't really comment on the difference it makes). I was able to easily get out of my neighborhood, which was a mix of totally fresh snow in some places, light tracks in some places, and then on the main drag out it had seen a fair amount of traffic. I could tell there was "something" going on with the AWD / ABS system when starting from a stop (and getting some slip) as it would "engage" in some way that would improve traction. I think it's the abs / torque vectoring function like my Subaru has. It didn't provide the smoothest experience, but it was definitely effective. I was doing about the same, maybe a little better, than the other AWD (Pilot, Highlander, etc) vehicles around me. Ice (compressed, frozen snow-slush) was more difficult, but not in a "I might get stuck" kind of way, more of a "I can't accelerate and brake as fast as I want." I saw more than a few cars (FWD in most cases, I think) that were truly stuck, or had lost confidence in trying to move.

I had done a good amount of research and landed on Cooper Discoverer True North tires. My experience with Blizzaks was that they wore out too fast (they are incredible tires, though)...In my research I learned that, in Europe anyway, winter tires are divided into two groups...I think "Nordic" and "European" or "Nordic" and "Alpine" are the labels I have seen used....I think, more or less, the Nordic tires are meant to be used where you will encounter snow / ice the majority of the time, where the "European" or "Alpine" tires are meant to be used in mixed conditions...dry roads in warmer temperatures sometimes, with some periods of snow or ice...which is what we get in Denver. I might have the labels or details about the tires a bit wrong, but the point is not all winter tires are created equal (and it's not just whether they can be studded or not) So I avoided Blizzaks (they seem more like a Nordic tire based on my experience) and similarly stayed away from the Nokians and other similar tires. I'm not really sure that the Coopers are better in this regard (longer treadlife when driving on dry pavement) but that's what I'm hoping for (without giving up too much winter performance)

So, after the winter tires I had the same reaction I always do. Holy shit! Winter tires definitely make a huge difference. Ice (again, compressed/frozen snow-slush type of ice) traction was much improved, snow traction as well. Stopping was significantly improved, as was turning. The AWD system didn't have to actively intervene much (at all?) once the snow tires were on. I went wherever I wanted to go. The main limiting factor was snow depth. The only time I thought I might get stuck (and I didn't really come close) is when the snow was high enough that I started "floating" (and at times I was plowing through enough snow that it covered the windshield and I couldn't see). It really worked well and inspired confidence.

As a comparison point (and with a car I'm much more familiar with) I drove the Subaru with the WR G4 tires...I didn't go in the deepest snow (I'm afraid I might get stuck, not sure of the ground clearance), and although it didn't have true snow tires, it did really well, too. The Subaru was not as sure footed (it felt floaty when the Telluride didn't, but that was actually pretty fun), but overall it drove and stopped very well. Turning wasn't as good, I think. It's obviously not an apples to apples comparison, but the Subaru had no problem handling the conditions and was very confidence inspiring...being a smaller vehicle made it easier to drive in some ways, but I'm also very familiar with it to begin with.

I would say the Telluride has a capable AWD system, and I'd put it better than the Sienna AWD that I recently had. I'm not sure how I would rate it compared to the Subaru.. I'm inclined to say the Subaru system is better, but I will have to drive both some more to get a more complete picture.

I will try to post some pictures / videos later.

Lots of snow + new AWD vehicle + snow tires = fun day.

I have Nokians on my Tacoma. Great tire.

 

[blitt]

I have been driving in Vermont for 51 yrs....the modern "traction control systems", AWD configuations, and all of that ARE very helpful......but in the end, if you are in deep *ss snow or on ice , the ONLY thing (after you have tried all the various "drive modes") that is going to make a difference IS the tires! Nokian is about the best there is if you are going to spend much time in snow, but IF it doesn't snow , you will find those Nokian's will wear very quickly. I will be taking my just arrived Telly SX to Vermont on Saturday.....the OEM tires will do me fine as things don't get too serious.

______________________________

 

[Steve in Denver]

if you are in deep *ss snow or on ice , the ONLY thing (after you have tried all the various "drive modes") that is going to make a difference IS the tires!

More ground clearance doesn’t hurt.

 

[blitt]

More ground clearance doesn’t hurt.

That is true.....

 

[jrb]

I'm in Denver (if you couldn't tell by my screen name), and we got dumped on last night. In my neck of the woods we have had about 12" so far based on the few measurements I made.

My Telluride is AWD, and I happened to have a fresh set of snow tires sitting at the Discount Tire right up the road. So this morning I was able to do a back to back comparison with the stock (michelin) tires vs Cooper Discoverer True North tires. Both are essentially brand new (1200 miles on the Michelins) And for fun, I also took out my Subaru Outback (2016) which has some Nokian WR G4 tires mounted.

For those not familiar with the WR G4 tires, they are "all weather" tires (emphatically not "all season") which basically means they are meant to be used year round (so none of the super soft rubber like true winter tires), but are designed to work well in snow and ice. My previous comparisons show that they are *significantly* better than all season tires in snow/ice, and actually approach the performance of lower tier winter tires (like the General Altimax), but good winter tires are clearly superior, at least in some conditions)

So, preliminary impressions...

The Telluride does pretty well in the snow (factory tires) with the AWD lock mode engaged (I didn't spend much time with it off, so I can't really comment on the difference it makes). I was able to easily get out of my neighborhood, which was a mix of totally fresh snow in some places, light tracks in some places, and then on the main drag out it had seen a fair amount of traffic. I could tell there was "something" going on with the AWD / ABS system when starting from a stop (and getting some slip) as it would "engage" in some way that would improve traction. I think it's the abs / torque vectoring function like my Subaru has. It didn't provide the smoothest experience, but it was definitely effective. I was doing about the same, maybe a little better, than the other AWD (Pilot, Highlander, etc) vehicles around me. Ice (compressed, frozen snow-slush) was more difficult, but not in a "I might get stuck" kind of way, more of a "I can't accelerate and brake as fast as I want." I saw more than a few cars (FWD in most cases, I think) that were truly stuck, or had lost confidence in trying to move.

I had done a good amount of research and landed on Cooper Discoverer True North tires. My experience with Blizzaks was that they wore out too fast (they are incredible tires, though)...In my research I learned that, in Europe anyway, winter tires are divided into two groups...I think "Nordic" and "European" or "Nordic" and "Alpine" are the labels I have seen used....I think, more or less, the Nordic tires are meant to be used where you will encounter snow / ice the majority of the time, where the "European" or "Alpine" tires are meant to be used in mixed conditions...dry roads in warmer temperatures sometimes, with some periods of snow or ice...which is what we get in Denver. I might have the labels or details about the tires a bit wrong, but the point is not all winter tires are created equal (and it's not just whether they can be studded or not) So I avoided Blizzaks (they seem more like a Nordic tire based on my experience) and similarly stayed away from the Nokians and other similar tires. I'm not really sure that the Coopers are better in this regard (longer treadlife when driving on dry pavement) but that's what I'm hoping for (without giving up too much winter performance)

So, after the winter tires I had the same reaction I always do. Holy shit! Winter tires definitely make a huge difference. Ice (again, compressed/frozen snow-slush type of ice) traction was much improved, snow traction as well. Stopping was significantly improved, as was turning. The AWD system didn't have to actively intervene much (at all?) once the snow tires were on. I went wherever I wanted to go. The main limiting factor was snow depth. The only time I thought I might get stuck (and I didn't really come close) is when the snow was high enough that I started "floating" (and at times I was plowing through enough snow that it covered the windshield and I couldn't see). It really worked well and inspired confidence.

As a comparison point (and with a car I'm much more familiar with) I drove the Subaru with the WR G4 tires...I didn't go in the deepest snow (I'm afraid I might get stuck, not sure of the ground clearance), and although it didn't have true snow tires, it did really well, too. The Subaru was not as sure footed (it felt floaty when the Telluride didn't, but that was actually pretty fun), but overall it drove and stopped very well. Turning wasn't as good, I think. It's obviously not an apples to apples comparison, but the Subaru had no problem handling the conditions and was very confidence inspiring...being a smaller vehicle made it easier to drive in some ways, but I'm also very familiar with it to begin with.

I would say the Telluride has a capable AWD system, and I'd put it better than the Sienna AWD that I recently had. I'm not sure how I would rate it compared to the Subaru.. I'm inclined to say the Subaru system is better, but I will have to drive both some more to get a more complete picture.

I will try to post some pictures / videos later.

Lots of snow + new AWD vehicle + snow tires = fun day.

Steve, where did you buy your Telluride and how was the experience ? I'm in the Colo Spgs, and tired of the markups? Thanks

 

[Steve in Denver]

I bought it at Grand Kia north of Denver. It’s an LX, so not a prime candidate for over MSRP pricing. I paid strictly MSRP for it (they waived the dealer fee) but this was also probably the slowest day of the month for them (there was a mild ice storm happening when I test drove it)

Experience was mixed. Sales guy (Anthony) was fantastic. Zero pressure, pretty knowledgeable, and no bullshit. I’d buy for him again for sure.

The dealership itself is sort of a dump. Parking lot was cramped, the showroom (if you could call it that) was dated, and the finance office had a drop ceiling with old water stained tiles. The shop area looked like it was from the 70s or early 80s.

But I actually don’t mind the low-rent dealership/showroom...because if you walk into a place with marble flooring, 20 foot ceilings and million dollar interior design and lighting, there is only one place that money comes from...customers.

The biggest downside of this dealer was the horse-shit blinking brake light add-on that they tried to slip into the bill of sale. $600 for a $15 part (check amazon) all without even asking me. I guess In the scheme of things it’s not that big of a deal, but that they were so sneaky about it really left a bad taste. They did remove it when pressed, but they had an attitude about it.


...I’d do it all over again to get a telluride in the time frame I was working with. I think they had an EX and an S at the same time...and as far as I could tell they were selling at MSRP + $599 dealer free.

I probably wouldn’t get my car serviced there. And really I’m not feeling very confident about getting my car serviced at any Kia dealer around here. I wonder if a Hyundai dealer would be willing to service it?

Good luck in your search...it’s a nice car. If I wasn’t in a hurry (my car had been totaled) I would have waited for 2021 model year. I hate buying the first year of a new car. So many thing that they figure out in the first year (or two) of building them...

______________________________

 

[JayCO]

Context. Comparing an AWD system of mid-size SUV to a minivan.

It sounds like you are saying that all mid-sized SUV AWD systems are superior to any minivan AWD system just by virtue of being an SUV? I don't think it's that clear cut - there are good and bad AWD systems / implementations out there on SUVs. I actually found the Sienna AWD system to be pretty good (for snow, at least) and I suspect it's as good or better than some systems available on mid-sized SUVs. It might not have been clear in my original post, but what I was saying is that I thought the Telluride AWD system was *better* than the Sienna, not that the Sienna's was better than the Telluride.

I agree 100% here... which is why I asked what his issue was with the Sienna AWD statement. Just because an "SUV" has AWD doesn't mean it's automatically superior to a minivan's AWD system. It all depends on the system and programming controlling it. We actually have an AWD Sienna (which will be replaced by the Telluride) and I was just remarking to our neighbor today that it's one of the most bomb-proof AWD systems I've ever driven in the snow.

I got dumped on today as well (same storm... 12" in North Colorado Springs). The AWD system in the Sienna struggles not a single bit. It would be all that much better if we actually had dedicated snows on it, but we don't.

I've owned 4 Audis with quattro AWD systems (both Torsen and Haldex), and all manner of actual 4WD vehicles (1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks). I'll pick the Sienna in a snow storm of my F-250 almost everyday of the week.

I don't know much about the Kia AWD system in the Telluride yet, and/or how it compares to Toyota's in the Sienna. It's likely more sophisticated but I bet that is mostly due to it being a more modern system (with drive modes etc.) than that of our 2015 Sienna.

 

[Husker Soze]

I agree 100% here... which is why I asked what his issue was with the Sienna AWD statement. Just because an "SUV" has AWD doesn't mean it's automatically superior to a minivan's AWD system. It all depends on the system and programming controlling it. We actually have an AWD Sienna (which will be replaced by the Telluride) and I was just remarking to our neighbor today that it's one of the most bomb-proof AWD systems I've ever driven in the snow.

I got dumped on today as well (same storm... 12" in North Colorado Springs). The AWD system in the Sienna struggles not a single bit. It would be all that much better if we actually had dedicated snows on it, but we don't.

I've owned 4 Audis with quattro AWD systems (both Torsen and Haldex), and all manner of actual 4WD vehicles (1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks). I'll pick the Sienna in a snow storm of my F-250 almost everyday of the week.

I don't know much about the Kia AWD system in the Telluride yet, and/or how it compares to Toyota's in the Sienna. It's likely more sophisticated but I bet that is mostly due to it being a more modern system (with drive modes etc.) than that of our 2015 Sienna.

Concur that AWD system success are dependent on the implementation. I was just surprised on the comparison of minivan to an SUV, to which I stated that I wouldn't expect the minivan to be better.
That being said...If your baseline for a good AWD system is your Sienna, then there you go.

 

[jrb]

I agree 100% here... which is why I asked what his issue was with the Sienna AWD statement. Just because an "SUV" has AWD doesn't mean it's automatically superior to a minivan's AWD system. It all depends on the system and programming controlling it. We actually have an AWD Sienna (which will be replaced by the Telluride) and I was just remarking to our neighbor today that it's one of the most bomb-proof AWD systems I've ever driven in the snow.

I got dumped on today as well (same storm... 12" in North Colorado Springs). The AWD system in the Sienna struggles not a single bit. It would be all that much better if we actually had dedicated snows on it, but we don't.

I've owned 4 Audis with quattro AWD systems (both Torsen and Haldex), and all manner of actual 4WD vehicles (1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks). I'll pick the Sienna in a snow storm of my F-250 almost everyday of the week.

I don't know much about the Kia AWD system in the Telluride yet, and/or how it compares to Toyota's in the Sienna. It's likely more sophisticated but I bet that is mostly due to it being a more modern system (with drive modes etc.) than that of our 2015 Sienna.

jayco, where did you get your telluride.?How was experience and pricing.? I’m in CS too.

 

[alexdrums]

Concur that AWD system success are dependent on the implementation. I was just surprised on the comparison of minivan to an SUV, to which I stated that I wouldn't expect the minivan to be better.
That being said...If your baseline for a good AWD system is your Sienna, then there you go.

The Telluride is a crossover utility vehicle and I believe it is built on a modified version of the Kia Sedona platform. It is the same width and height as a 2015 Toyota Sienna.
The Telluride is essentially a modern minivan without sliding doors...more car based and not really an SUV.