Recently purchased a FWD SX. What bums me out is that it doesn't come with a heated steering wheel, I knew that going into it but is it possible to add it down the road? I don't need AWD and didn't think it was worth spending the extra $1900 for it. Just curious if this is even an option at some point in the future.
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Ability to add heated steering wheel for FWD?
- Thread author Terp03
- Start date
Heated steering wheel is only on EX and SX AWD models, not FWD.
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semsi
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I can't believe SX or even EX can come without heated steering wheel. Shame on KIA.
Should never matter FW or AWD.
They put many standard things on their base model which others you have to go upper trims to get and they did this to EX and SX models.
jodo
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I had the same question for the same reason. You can buy a heated steering wheel on kia.parts for around $750. The problem then becomes, how do you toggle it? Because the button isn't going to be in your dash like it is on the AWD models so you'll have to figure out a way to turn it on and off which in the end probably won't be worth the cost.
PittPa
Well-known member
Some features are designed to be integrated with the vehicle. Having a heated steering wheel is fine for maybe 2 months out of the year. I have said this before without being crass, If you want a Kia Telluride with these features. buy it that way. Especially if its that important that you are going to try to "Macgyver" one. 
jodo
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For sure, I agree. Just sucks that you have to go AWD to get the heated steering wheel. Seems pointless to confine something as trivial as a heated steering wheel to the whole AWD package. Personally I really love the heated steering wheel on my Optima, I find it useful for at least half the year but I also didn't want the increased complexity of the driveline, not to mention the worse MPG of the AWD system. So, I'll just be happy with some nice driving gloves in the winter time.Some features are designed to be integrated with the vehicle. Having a heated steering wheel is fine for maybe 2 months out of the year. I have said this before without being crass, If you want a Kia Telluride with these features. buy it that way. Especially if its that important that you are going to try to "Macgyver" one.
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Pappy
Active member
I don't agree with it but I think KIA's logic is that most AWD models are sold in colder climates where the heated steering wheel would be most needed or wanted.
jodo
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Actually a great point that I didn't consider. It makes sense but I also don't agree with it.
jodo
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If you check kia oem parts website, there are two different steering wheels which tells me that no, it's not just a switch unfortunately.
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BunchaMasseys
Member
I had an EXP and “upgraded” to an SX. Much to my surprise when I was watching a video to see what features the SX had in place of the EXP…NO HEATED STEERING WHEEL on my FWD. So lame. I agree that we only use it for a short time but I liked it on my EXP. Sucks but not enough to bum me out from loving my SX!
G
G-999254
Maybe having a heated steering wheel is only useful for you. I live in Alaska and let me tell you I use my heated steering wheel for a lot more than 2 months a year.
Some features are designed to be integrated with the vehicle. Having a heated steering wheel is fine for maybe 2 months out of the year. I have said this before without being crass, If you want a Kia Telluride with these features. buy it that way. Especially if it’s that important that you are going to try to "Macgyver" one.
scottw324
SUPPORTING MEMBER
Actually, I get about on par mpg around town with my 2022 AWD as I did with my 2013 FWD Explorer, and I get much better mpg on the highway with the Telly than my Explorer did.
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PellyTelly
Active member
The $1900 for AWD is not totally sunk - you get a lot of this back when it comes time to sell it down the road.
