Do I need AWD on the 2022 telluride?

[running dad]

Hello all! I ordered a 2022 SX. I added all wheel drive for $1900 but now I’m rethinking if I NEED it. I am basically maxed on my budget, and would prefer to get the prestige package if possible for $2300. I could switch out the all-wheel-drive for the prestige package for basically the same price. My question is living in Indiana and getting 4 to 6 inches of snow several times a year and driving in that, can the Front Wheel Drive Telluride handle that level of winter? Or would I really see a benefit from the all wheel drive addition? Thanks for any feedback!

 

[bruesjoh04]

Hello all! I ordered a 2022 SX. I added all wheel drive for $1900 but now I’m rethinking if I NEED it. I am basically maxed on my budget, and would prefer to get the prestige package if possible for $2300. I could switch out the all-wheel-drive for the prestige package for basically the same price. My question is living in Indiana and getting 4 to 6 inches of snow several times a year and driving in that, can the Front Wheel Drive Telluride handle that level of winter? Or would I really see a benefit from the all wheel drive addition? Thanks for any feedback!

First things first, AWD is required to get the SX Prestige package. So don’t think you can just leave off AWD and get the Prestige pack for roughly the same money.

With regards to the FWD/AWD question, no, AWD is not “needed,” but it does give some people peace of mind. Proper driving techniques and good tires are going to help you out more in snow than simply having AWD.

Keep in mind that the Telluride is FWD, which sets it up well for having acceptable power delivery in slippery situations.

 

[running dad]

First things first, AWD is required to get the SX Prestige package. So don’t think you can just leave off AWD and get the Prestige pack for roughly the same money.

With regards to the FWD/AWD question, no, AWD is not “needed,” but it does give some people peace of mind. Proper driving techniques and good tires are going to help you out more in snow than simply having AWD.

Keep in mind that the Telluride is FWD, which sets it up well for having acceptable power delivery in slippery situations.

Oh OK. That makes sense. Figured they wouldn’t make it that easy. In your opinion is the prestige pack worth the extra money? It’s worth noting I’ll have two kids in car seats for the next 3 to 4 years in the second row

 

[MBrantley]

I live in Indiana, and AWD was a no brainer with the unpredictable snow we get.

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[running dad]

Oh OK, good to meet someone else from Indiana. I figured the same as you did, but wanted to make sure I wasn’t adding it unless necessary. I had all kinds of problems last year trying to drive my Ford fusion with front wheel drive in the snow. Basically had to leave it in my garage for five days straight.

 

[sprengBoard]

Oh OK. That makes sense. Figured they wouldn’t make it that easy. In your opinion is the prestige pack worth the extra money? It’s worth noting I’ll have two kids in car seats for the next 3 to 4 years in the second row

If you discount the heated/ventilated 2nd row row seats, the only real benefits with the the Prestige Package that have substantial value is the HUD, rain-sensing wipers, and 115V inverter. Sure, it comes with Nappa leather and suede-like headliner, but they aren't any better than what comes on the normal SX, just different (some will argue that Nappa leather is better than normal leather, but the normal leather is good enough).

I personally went with the Prestige Package because I really wanted the HUD, heated/ventilated 2nd row (only one of my kids is in a full-blown car seat), and Dune Brown interior. Was going to get AWD regardless.

 

[ceenote]

If you discount the heated/ventilated 2nd row row seats, the only real benefits with the the Prestige Package that have substantial value is the HUD, rain-sensing wipers, and 115V inverter. Sure, it comes with Nappa leather and suede-like headliner, but they aren't any better than what comes on the normal SX, just different (some will argue that Nappa leather is better than normal leather, but the normal leather is good enough).

I personally went with the Prestige Package because I really wanted the HUD, heated/ventilated 2nd row (only one of my kids is in a full-blown car seat), and Dune Brown interior. Was going to get AWD regardless.

This^^^^ and im the guy that didnt care for the hud.... and i dont ride in the back so i was like nah... im good... but hell im in chicago and the awd was my biggest thing that i had to have.. one of the reasons i didnt get the g80... its wayy to low to the ground and after this pass winter im like umm i gotta get a truck!! And if he is maxed at budget then dont get prestige package...

 

[running dad]

This^^^^ and im the guy that didnt care for the hud.... and i dont ride in the back so i was like nah... im good... but hell im in chicago and the awd was my biggest thing that i had to have.. one of the reasons i didnt get the g80... its wayy to low to the ground and after this pass winter im like umm i gotta get a truck!! And if he is maxed at budget then dont get prestige package...

Thanks for the replies! I really do want the dune interior. That alone isn’t worth the $2300 but it’s worth considering. Does a black headliner come with the dune interior? I’m 50/50 on whether to go prestige at this point. Won’t be telling my wife if I do! Haha

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[sprengBoard]

Thanks for the replies! I really do want the dune interior. That alone isn’t worth the $2300 but it’s worth considering. Does a black headliner come with the dune interior? I’m 50/50 on whether to go prestige at this point. Won’t be telling my wife if I do! Haha

Yes, the Dune interior comes with a black headlight (as does the Butterscotch interior on the non-Prestige SX).

Quick question - are you considering the towing package?

 

[running dad]

Yes, the Dune interior comes with a black headlight (as does the Butterscotch interior on the non-Prestige SX).

Quick question - are you considering the towing package?

Does the standard black leather also come with a black headliner? I do want to tow with it at some point but I’m maxed on budget, even adding the prestige would put me well over but I’m considering.

 

[sprengBoard]

Does the standard black leather also come with a black headliner? I do want to tow with it at some point but I’m maxed on budget, even adding the prestige would put me well over but I’m considering.

No, every interior color other than Butterscotch and Dune have a light headliner.

Reason I ask about the tow package, is I would recommend not getting the tow package - just the tow hitch w/harness. The self-leveling shocks that are included with the tow package don’t really provide a towing benefit (in fact, can even hurt).

 

[running dad]

No, every interior color other than Butterscotch and Dune have a light headliner.

Reason I ask about the tow package, is I would recommend not getting the tow package - just the tow hitch w/harness. The self-leveling shocks that are included with the tow package don’t really provide a towing benefit (in fact, can even hurt).

Decisions, decisions. I changed from butterscotch to black leather. I didn’t think I would end up liking the butterscotch but I want a black headliner lol.

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[sprengBoard]

Decisions, decisions. I changed from butterscotch to black leather. I didn’t think I would end up liking the butterscotch but I want a black headliner lol.

The butterscotch interior isn’t represented well in Kia’s photos. Many people describe it as looking the color of peanut butter (not orangish like in Kia’s photos).

 

[running dad]

Decisions, decisions. I changed from butterscotch to black leather. I didn’t think I would end up liking the butterscotch but I want a black headliner lol.

That’s great to know. I changed from butter to black because I thought it looked too “tan” in online pictures In the dealership didn’t have any cars on the lot with that interior that I could check out. I’m going to switch back to butterscotch to get the black headliner. As my kids get older they will destroy a light colored headliner lol

 

[ceenote]

 

[weekendtoy]

With regards to the FWD/AWD question, no, AWD is not “needed,” but it does give some people peace of mind. Proper driving techniques and good tires are going to help you out more in snow than simply having AWD.

If you live in a State that gets real snow, no amount of driving technique or snow tires will get you through the snow like AWD or 4WD.

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[2020Telly]

• Everyone (AWD and FWD) needs good tires for your conditions.
• Everyone needs the safety features that come on both AWD and FWD.
• Everyone needs the equivalent braking capability.
• Not everyone needs the acceleration and performance that comes with AWD.
• People buying higher trims have to get AWD.
• People who want added acceleration off the line want AWD.
• People who care less about total cost of ownership and fuel efficiency don’t mind AWD.
• People who care about a higher residual value after a couple years want AWD.
• If you are driving in slippery conditions regularly where your good quality front tires are spinning when trying to accelerate you could benefit from the traction assistance to the rear tires from AWD.

If you find yourself living in an area that gets snow storms at 4-6 in of snow in an area that doesn’t do a good job of plowing streets and you must drive in it, AWD may assist you in adding traction when accelerating if you have proper tires for the conditions. If you typically avoid driving in the conditions until the roads are cleared then your AWD will be less helpful. The Telluride’s electronic AWD system is not 4x4 and it is FWD biased, which makes sense on an SUV to at has bulk of the weight over the engine. No matter what your conditions, don’t go cheap on tires and you will be fine. People have driven FWD with snow tires for years and survived. Assuming AWD alone will help you with braking or added all around safety tends to lead to false confidence if you are unfamiliar with modern electronic AWD systems which are not 4x4. By adding some new drive modes this system senses tire slippage or loss of traction and then sends additional power to the other wheels. If you already have traction in your tires and are driving on a road that has been cleared it’s likely the AWD will work less or not be needed. More aggressive drivers will likely feel the AWD more than conservative bad weather drivers. If you have tires that don’t have as much traction the AWD will try to help but you might just be spinning the others tires that have the same or less traction and be unable to move. The torque vectoring cornering control system on the Telluride is the same for AWD and FWD because it is brake based. The big mistake is buying AWD and deciding to drive in bad conditions that really require snow tires and assuming AWD with so-so all seasons will be enough to make up for not having snow tires. Braking is not improved by adding AWD, that comes from the braking system and tires.

Nothing replaces the right tires and common sense.

 

[BLUEY!]

• Everyone (AWD and FWD) needs good tires for your conditions.
• Everyone needs the safety features that come on both AWD and FWD.
• Everyone needs the equivalent braking capability.
• Not everyone needs the acceleration and performance that comes with AWD.
• People buying higher trims have to get AWD.
• People who want added acceleration off the line want AWD.
• People who care less about total cost of ownership and fuel efficiency don’t mind AWD.
• People who care about a higher residual value after a couple years want AWD.
• If you are driving in slippery conditions regularly where your good quality front tires are spinning when trying to accelerate you could benefit from the traction assistance to the rear tires from AWD.

If you find yourself living in an area that gets snow storms at 4-6 in of snow in an area that doesn’t do a good job of plowing streets and you must drive in it, AWD may assist you in adding traction when accelerating if you have proper tires for the conditions. If you typically avoid driving in the conditions until the roads are cleared then your AWD will be less helpful. The Telluride’s electronic AWD system is not 4x4 and it is FWD biased, which makes sense on an SUV to at has bulk of the weight over the engine. No matter what your conditions, don’t go cheap on tires and you will be fine. People have driven FWD with snow tires for years and survived. Assuming AWD alone will help you with braking or added all around safety tends to lead to false confidence if you are unfamiliar with modern electronic AWD systems which are not 4x4. By adding some new drive modes this system senses tire slippage or loss of traction and then sends additional power to the other wheels. If you already have traction in your tires and are driving on a road that has been cleared it’s likely the AWD will work less or not be needed. More aggressive drivers will likely feel the AWD more than conservative bad weather drivers. If you have tires that don’t have as much traction the AWD will try to help but you might just be spinning the others tires that have the same or less traction and be unable to move. The torque vectoring cornering control system on the Telluride is the same for AWD and FWD because it is brake based. The big mistake is buying AWD and deciding to drive in bad conditions that really require snow tires and assuming AWD with so-so all seasons will be enough to make up for not having snow tires. Braking is not improved by adding AWD, that comes from the braking system and tires.

Nothing replaces the right tires and common sense.

Well said. I purposely ordered FWD, the few trips to the mountains we take every year does not warrant the extra fuel and maintenance of AWD in my opinion, and we had no interest in prestige package. I think the resale value would be better with AWD, as it seems that a lot of people want the peace of mind if they were to ever need it. We drove our FWD highlander in the snow many times and never wished I had awd. Some people want to go offroad, I personally wouldn’t in a Telluride. It’s closer to a minivan than a truck, and I don’t want to scratch those 20 inch black wheels!