Help me decide if the Telluride is a good fit.

[Trailblazer]

I live in the south, just 30 minutes from the Kia plant, but only recently heard about the Telluride. I was excited to see one of them moments before the owner picked it up. The pre-sales around here are wild. Dealers dont have available inventory.

Please tell me about how it handles in town, through turns and parking. Does it feel more Tahoe sizes, or a true crossover? I am coming out of a Tahoe and was considering the Sorento, Highlander or Murano before I saw the Telluride. I was surprised at how much I liked the look of it. I am often driving clients around, but don’t really need the third row seating. It would be handy for traveling though. I’m looking for comfort, quiet ride and easy handling. I’m tired of the truck-like drive. It’s just hard to decide without being able to drive a Telluride for a true test.

I’m also concerned that a few people who work at Kia have said they would not buy one, even with the warranty. That’s not coming from a forum, that’s coming from friends who have friends working in quality control. I’ve asked for more details, but have any of you heard it?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JCzoom]

I live in the south, just 30 minutes from the Kia plant, but only recently heard about the Telluride. I was excited to see one of them moments before the owner picked it up. The pre-sales around here are wild. Dealers dont have available inventory.

Please tell me about how it handles in town, through turns and parking. Does it feel more Tahoe sizes, or a true crossover? I am coming out of a Tahoe and was considering the Sorento, Highlander or Murano before I saw the Telluride. I was surprised at how much I liked the look of it. I am often driving clients around, but don’t really need the third row seating. It would be handy for traveling though. I’m looking for comfort, quiet ride and easy handling. I’m tired of the truck-like drive. It’s just hard to decide without being able to drive a Telluride for a true test.

I’m also concerned that a few people who work at Kia have said they would not buy one, even with the warranty. That’s not coming from a forum, that’s coming from friends who have friends working in quality control. I’ve asked for more details, but have any of you heard it?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Kia employees saying they wouldn't buy one? That's a bit concerning. Maybe just underpaid, disgruntled employees? I hope so. I'll take my chances with the Telly.

 

[Buckeye-TRide]

I live in the south, just 30 minutes from the Kia plant, but only recently heard about the Telluride. I was excited to see one of them moments before the owner picked it up. The pre-sales around here are wild. Dealers dont have available inventory.

Please tell me about how it handles in town, through turns and parking. Does it feel more Tahoe sizes, or a true crossover? I am coming out of a Tahoe and was considering the Sorento, Highlander or Murano before I saw the Telluride. I was surprised at how much I liked the look of it. I am often driving clients around, but don’t really need the third row seating. It would be handy for traveling though. I’m looking for comfort, quiet ride and easy handling. I’m tired of the truck-like drive. It’s just hard to decide without being able to drive a Telluride for a true test.

I’m also concerned that a few people who work at Kia have said they would not buy one, even with the warranty. That’s not coming from a forum, that’s coming from friends who have friends working in quality control. I’ve asked for more details, but have any of you heard it?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

what’s their frame of reference to make that determination? All new cars have issues but QA definitely isn’t one of them. I’d assume I’d they are finding issues they must be fairly competent and as long as things are getting fixed prior to delivery I wouldn’t worry about it. The only issues I’ve read about here are regarding the infortainment system.

 

[G-302349]

what’s their frame of reference to make that determination? All new cars have issues but QA definitely isn’t one of them. I’d assume I’d they are finding issues they must be fairly competent and as long as things are getting fixed prior to delivery I wouldn’t worry about it. The only issues I’ve read about here are regarding the infortainment system.

I’m trying to find out, but at least one who is an engineer drove it in production stages and won’t approve it. I feel sure that any problems would have been resolved by now, but I do worry about issues with new models.

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[RW4]

New models have issues, but so do cars undergoing redesigns or manufacturers increasing production levels. I previously had two Honda’s on the thought they would be reliable. One a civic, that lasted forever, but I must have had the motor on the drivers side window replaced 2 or 3 times. The other a CRV that once this car took off in popularity, seemed to have production issues. The air conditioning blew out one day with metal shards going everywhere. Found lots of people experiencing similar issues on a Honda forum with all kinds of CRVs experiencing AC issues, with most showing up 3 or more years after purchasing. Of course they don’t recall it or admit fault, but they covered my replacement cost after I complained, sort of admitting to some production issues. The CRV had top ratings and they doubled production due to demand the year I bought it. I’m not so sure anymore that bugs are limited to or concentrated in new models. I really wanted the Tellruide compared to its competitors so I dropped this adage, which I also use to follow.

 

[ATL3630]

I’m also concerned that a few people who work at Kia have said they would not buy one, even with the warranty. That’s not coming from a forum, that’s coming from friends who have friends working in quality control. I’ve asked for more details, but have any of you heard it?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

I go to that about plant twice a year. Last time I was there the employees were thrilled to be building the Telluride and take pride in their work. So much so that I bought one. So there is another observation.

 

[Trailblazer]

I go to that about plant twice a year. Last time I was there the employees were thrilled to be building the Telluride and take pride in their work. So much so that I bought one. So there is another observation.

That’s great to hear. Thanks for sharing

 

[Eeyah15]

I work in a Kia dealership as a warranty admin. I had been eyeing the Tellurides since they first started coming in. But once I finally drove one I fell madly in love and bought one. It really is a smooth and comfortable ride. Way different from the previous Kia's I've owned. And it has great handling. Great turning radius, easy to park and maneuver. And it's very quiet. I love that feel higher up like I'm in a big vehicle without the clunky-truck feeling. I've owned it 3 weeks now and I'm STILL catching myself saying "damn that's a smooth ride!" LOL!

You really need to find one to test drive. I totally understand why and how the dealers cant keep them on the lot. Everybody wants one. Currently my dealership has 3 on the lot, none of which are for sale (mine, a coworkers, and our general managers demo.)

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[Jacob F]

Hi. I got my Telluride 10 days ago. Having driven a Toyota Sienna till now.
The Telly is definitely smoother and gives a very comfortable drive. BUT! I definitely have to give more gas it should have a fast pick-up. And the main thing that bothers me, is that the infotainment system does not keep my device for Bluetooth and it’s a disaster , otherwise I love the vehicle

 

[Trailblazer]

Excellent info! I was able to drive an S model yesterday in another town. I did notice that it didn't have a great pick up when getting on the interstate, as compared to my SUV. I wasn't able to take it into a lot of traffic or shopping center to try the parking maneuverability. I'm still trying to decide if I need that much room (3rd row) that I'll use only occasionally. I also drove the Sorento for comparison. It was a gorgeous LX model with the gray interior. So much nicer than the black that is on most of the Tellurides down here

 

[ATL3630]

Hi. I got my Telluride 10 days ago. Having driven a Toyota Sienna till now.
The Telly is definitely smoother and gives a very comfortable drive. BUT! I definitely have to give more gas it should have a fast pick-up. And the main thing that bothers me, is that the infotainment system does not keep my device for Bluetooth and it’s a disaster , otherwise I love the vehicle

My wife drives a Sienna and we average 18.1 mpg. I average 23.4 mpg in the Telluride.

Often Bluetooth issues are the fault of Bluetooth and not the vehicle. Go on any forum for any vehicle any these complaints are numerous. Bluetooth has never been a reliable technology. It works just well enough.

 

[ucinn]

My wife drives a Sienna and we average 18.1 mpg. I average 23.4 mpg in the Telluride.

Often Bluetooth issues are the fault of Bluetooth and not the vehicle. Go on any forum for any vehicle any these complaints are numerous. Bluetooth has never been a reliable technology. It works just well enough.

Seems to be any person with an EX is having this problem. More than likely a software problem. I expect there will be a flash in a month or two once the engineers figure out where their code is screwed up at.

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[Gwyn]

I’m also concerned that a few people who work at Kia have said they would not buy one, even with the warranty. That’s not coming from a forum, that’s coming from friends who have friends working in quality control.

I don't know one company that would not have some people that says that. I know people that work for apple, that would never buy an apple product. I know people that work with microsoft that would never use windows. I know people that work with intel that would never buy an intel product. I know car salesmen that work for honda that own toyotas and would never buy a honda. It really does not shock me. And at no point would I consider their opinion in buying a car.
Why?
When you are 3 inches away from a product, you see all the flaws that when you are 3 feet away you would never notice.

If you allow yourself to dive deep enough into any product, you will find problems. Subaru, honda, toyota, hyundai, kia, ford, chevy, ect.... If you make people that building the car not wanting to drive them a requirement, you would not drive a car.

 

[Gr8pumpkin]

I don't know one company that would not have some people that says that. I know people that work for apple, that would never buy an apple product. I know people that work with microsoft that would never use windows. I know people that work with intel that would never buy an intel product. I know car salesmen that work for honda that own toyotas and would never buy a honda. It really does not shock me. And at no point would I consider their opinion in buying a car.
Why?
When you are 3 inches away from a product, you see all the flaws that when you are 3 feet away you would never notice.

If you allow yourself to dive deep enough into any product, you will find problems. Subaru, honda, toyota, hyundai, kia, ford, chevy, ect.... If you make people that building the car not wanting to drive them a requirement, you would not drive a car.

Well said !

 

[Jersey City Kia]

I work in a Kia dealership as a warranty admin. I had been eyeing the Tellurides since they first started coming in. But once I finally drove one I fell madly in love and bought one. It really is a smooth and comfortable ride. Way different from the previous Kia's I've owned. And it has great handling. Great turning radius, easy to park and maneuver. And it's very quiet. I love that feel higher up like I'm in a big vehicle without the clunky-truck feeling. I've owned it 3 weeks now and I'm STILL catching myself saying "damn that's a smooth ride!" LOL!

You really need to find one to test drive. I totally understand why and how the dealers cant keep them on the lot. Everybody wants one. Currently my dealership has 3 on the lot, none of which are for sale (mine, a coworkers, and our general managers demo.)

Smooth and Quiet

 

[CAsuKiHy]

would never buy an apple product. I know people that work with microsoft that would never use windows. I know people that work with intel that would never buy an intel product. I know car salesmen that work for honda that own toyotas and would never buy a honda. It really does not shock me. And at no point would I consider their opinion you see all the flaws that when you are 3 feet away you would never notice.

If you allow yourself to dive deep enough into any product, you will find problems. Subaru, honda, toyota, hyundai, kia, ford, chevy, ect.... If you make people that building the car not wanting to drive them a requirement, you would not drive a[/QUOTE]



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[WhiteSX]

I don't know one company that would not have some people that says that. I know people that work for apple, that would never buy an apple product. I know people that work with microsoft that would never use windows. I know people that work with intel that would never buy an intel product. I know car salesmen that work for honda that own toyotas and would never buy a honda. It really does not shock me. And at no point would I consider their opinion in buying a car.
Why?
When you are 3 inches away from a product, you see all the flaws that when you are 3 feet away you would never notice.

If you allow yourself to dive deep enough into any product, you will find problems. Subaru, honda, toyota, hyundai, kia, ford, chevy, ect.... If you make people that building the car not wanting to drive them a requirement, you would not drive a car.

Spot on. I've owned 10 Audi's over the last few decades. The teething problems were similar across all of them. Enjoy the ride.

 

[bean123]

I am coming out of a Tahoe and was considering the Sorento, Highlander or Murano before I saw the Telluride. I was surprised at how much I liked the look of it. I am often driving clients around, but don’t really need the third row seating. It would be handy for traveling though. I’m looking for comfort, quiet ride and easy handling. I’m tired of the truck-like drive. It’s just hard to decide without being able to drive a Telluride for a true test.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

If you are looking for comfort / quiet ride you will find it in the Telluride. I went to lunch with some coworkers the other day and they both commented that they wanted to stay in the car and go to sleep when we got back.
my last car was a crv and the telluride definitely feels bigger but it's not in your face big.

I test drove a 2018 highlander hybrid and can say theres no comparison with regards to how the interior "feels".
That said I am worried about a few things related to quality that may make you lean towards other options:

1. being the 1st year guinea pig
2. quality and durability of interior finishes. you can see my other thread about an issue with the arm rest leather discoloration. Also the leather at the corners appears sketchy. I missed all these things during the test drive.
3. potential long term issues with GDI engine.
4. Kia quality vs Toyota quality.

My only complaints other than #2 (dealer is ordering a new arm rest), is the FM reception seems worse than my old crv.
My favorite feature so far that I wasn't expecting is the cruise control. it makes my long stop and go commute a little more enjoyable.

 

[ucinn]

#4..you do know for the lat 5 years Kia has topped the JD powers initial quality rankings for mass produced vehicles.. yes, even better than Toyota and Honda

 

[bean123]

#4..you do know for the lat 5 years Kia has topped the JD powers initial quality rankings for mass produced vehicles.. yes, even better than Toyota and Honda

I wasn't aware of that ranking, or for that many years but do realize kia/hyundai have been getting better in the last decade. Only speaking from experience with a Crv that got me 185k before switching to Kia.
JD power isn't the one that Chevy touts in there stupid commercials right?