Kia Telluride Concerns

[Icantelluride]

Have to laugh at the back and forth here. Personally I'm not interested in influencing people's decisions because the first time they have the slightest issue they are ready to point the finger and play the blame game. Who cares if this guy buys a Telluride or not, honestly, I prefer having something a little less common than a Highlander or Pilot or fill in the _________ anyways.

 

[Doc]

Have to laugh at the back and forth here. Personally I'm not interested in influencing people's decisions because the first time they have the slightest issue they are ready to point the finger and play the blame game. Who cares if this guy buys a Telluride or not, honestly, I prefer having something a little less common than a Highlander or Pilot or fill in the _________ anyways.

Have to laugh at the back and forth here. Personally I'm not interested in influencing people's decisions because the first time they have the slightest issue they are ready to point the finger and play the blame game. Who cares if this guy buys a Telluride or not, honestly, I prefer having something a little less common than a Highlander or Pilot or fill in the _________ anyways.

'This guy' can buy whichever vehicle he wants.....and will.

 

[blitt]

I am one that also waited on the sidelines to see some reliability data start to come out. The Telluride is based on other good solid tech used in other H/K/G vehicles. And as others have said - 90K have been produced and the vehicle has now been in production for over a year. Plus if you have issues - the KIA has a better bumper to bumper and power train warranty than Honda or Toyota. For me - the Highlander is too small and cramped in the 2nd and 3rd row. Plus - the Highlander looks dated. The Telluride has the look of a much more premium vehicle and has an interior that is practically better than Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, Toyota, Honda, VW, Subaru.

That said - I have a Telluride SXP on order and will proudly join the KIA family this summer.

.....and believe me, you WILL be satisfied!! No vehicle is ever perfect, but I have owned Mercedes, Cadillac and lots of others and this Telluride is as good as AND better in many ways than all of the previous! ....and I NEVER thought I would be saying that about a KIA!!!

 

[OaktownACE]

I have been searching multiple web sites for a few weeks now because of my interest about the 2021 Telluride. I have narrowed my search to the Toyota Highlander and the Telluride, primarly because of the Consumer Report ratings. I have read owner accounts (assuming they are legitimate) of a plethora of different minor and major complaints. Now I am concerned that Kia has a manufacturing quality control problem in addition to the lack of prompt and adequate response by dealerships to those problems. From what I have read, many of the problems are those pesky 'nickle and dime' problems of annoyances. Also some major problems, particularly with the cooling systems, which concerns me. I cannot comprehend why Consumer Reports rates the Telluride over the Highlander if the owners of the Telluride have experienced so many problems. I shall continue to follow the discussions on this site and do further research from every available source.

Read this:

Redirect Notice

No car is perfect. Every car will have some lemons. You can nitpickyourself into complete paralysis. All those cars are fine. Pick the one that speaks to your gut and don’t look back.

Clearly Consumers, Car and Driver, Motortrend etc really like this car as evidenced by Best midsize SUV, Ten Best, SUV of the Year.

To each his own.

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[alexdrums]

2020 Toyota Highlander vs. 2020 Kia Telluride Comparison Test - MotorTrend

The 2020 Toyota Highlander is much improved from Toyota's last 3-row SUV, but how does it compare to our SUV of the Year, the 2020 Kia Telluride?

www.motortrend.com

@Doc , let us know what you think of this article.

 

[Midtown10105]

EXP Gravity grey owner for three weeks about 1K miles and no issues. Love the drive and love the look! Satisfied buyer!!!

 

[Doc]

If you have written the Telluride off - why come here and voice concerns?

I suppose the old adage, 'you can never learn too much' applies to this wise consumer.

 

[alexdrums]

Or maybe, "you can't teach an old Doc a new trick".

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[Doc]

Or maybe, "you can't teach an old Doc a new trick".

'Whatever floats your boat'.

 

[Doc]

I have owned three cars in the last 30 years, a Toyota forerunner, a range rover sport, and now the Telluride. I loved my forerunner for the reliablity. A true appliance that got me from a-z every time. But not much luxury.

I loved my range rover for the luxury, speed, technology. I did not love the associated repair costs and high frequency of repairs required. I did a lot of research before landing on the Telluride. I never envisioned that I would ever in my life own a Kia. I can honestly say that it is the best of breed. It brings together the luxury and technology and reliability.

I'm not sure how you can question consumer reports ratings when the manufacturer itself is offering 100,000 mile warranty. In fact, the dealer I purchased mine from backs the drivetrain and transmission warranty for life as long as I am in the vehicle. If that doesn't give you confidence I don't know what would.
Respectfully submitted. Good luck with your decision.

Unfortunately, warranties are only as good as the dealership believes they are. Long warranties are great, until the disclaimers emerge. Been there, done that.

 

[Boonedoggle]

Doc, I think you should buy the car that gives you the piece of mind your looking for. Clearly it isn't a Kia. Best of luck with your choice.

 

[Sparkle Girl 47]

Thanks for your input. I definitely am still interested in the Telluride. CR rates it a #1 vehicle for a reason, and I usually go with their research data. I Probably won't be buying until next year, unless I am fortunate enough to grab a 2020 for a great price.

Me too. They are so hard to purchase under MSRP right now. I might have to wait for SXP lease return. Don't know if I'll last that long!!

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[Doc]

Doc, I think you should buy the car that gives you the piece of mind your looking for. Clearly it isn't a Kia. Best of luck with your choice.

Thanks for your input. I haven't totally dismissed the Telluride. I just want to see how they fare for at least another year. The vehicle has many great features. Unfortunaely, the dealer in Charleston, SC only had one vehicle on the lot, and it wasn't the trim I wanted. I refuse to buy a 'pig in a poke' without never physically viewing or driving the vehicle. I want the car I want, not 'they are all the same' withe the dealer 'I just want to sell a car for commission' jargon.

 

[Doc]

If you have written the Telluride off - why come here and voice concerns?

I suppose I assumed that a forum was a venue to voice one's opinion and exchange ideas. I guess I shouldn't have assumed that simple idea. BTW, I have concerns about every automobile I have envisioned owning.

 

[markjenn]

I can certainly relate to how one can become very disenchanted with any new vehicle purchase if you spend much time on forums like this. It’s happened several times for me..... I find a vehicle which sounds perfect but the more I do research, the more I uncover things which work against feeling comfortable about pulling the trigger: A few lemons, a couple of dealership horror stories, a shortage of vehicles causing high prices and limited availability equipped like I want. In a few weeks, continuing to drive my current car starts looking a lot safer. I’m on the sidelines again.

But it’s important to keep things in perspective. You start paying detailed attention to ANY car and you’ll discover they all have SOME problems and SOME very unhappy owners. The main reason the car highest on your list seems to have so many often has more to do with how much attention you’re paying rather than it truly being more problematic.

There is one thing that the data shows clearly: the longer any design has been in production, the less problems it will likely have. And “stripper” models without so many gizmos are always more reliable than highly optioned trims.

I predict that in a couple years, a base model Telluride will sell for invoice, every dealer will have several on the lot, and it will match the reliability of any car on the road. So if problem-free/lowest-cost motoring is your #1 priority, just relax and make your move then. Of course, by then the Telluride won’t be top dog anymore and something else will. You pays your money and takes your chances.

- Mark

 

[Doc]

I can certainly relate to how one can become very disenchanted with any new vehicle purchase if you spend much time on forums like this. It’s happened several times for me..... I find a vehicle which sounds perfect but the more I do research, the more I uncover things which work against feeling comfortable about pulling the trigger: A few lemons, a couple of dealership horror stories, a shortage of vehicles causing high prices and limited availability equipped like I want. In a few weeks, continuing to drive my current car starts looking a lot safer. I’m on the sidelines again.

But it’s important to keep things in perspective. You start paying detailed attention to ANY car and you’ll discover they all have SOME problems and SOME very unhappy owners. The main reason the car highest on your list seems to have so many often has more to do with how much attention you’re paying rather than it truly being more problematic.

There is one thing that the data shows clearly: the longer any design has been in production, the less problems it will likely have. And “stripper” models without so many gizmos are always more reliable than highly optioned trims.

I predict that in a couple years, a base model Telluride will sell for invoice, every dealer will have several on the lot, and it will match the reliability of any car on the road. So if problem-free/lowest-cost motoring is your #1 priority, just relax and make your move then. Of course, by then the Telluride won’t be top dog anymore and something else will. You pays your money and takes your chances.

- Mark

Sage advice. Thanks.

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