How did you get interested in Telluride?

[BasilFawlty]

Bored on a Saturday, one week away from (hopefully) picking up my Telly in Texas. I thought it would be fun to ask folks how you came to buy or want to buy a Telluride? WHat was your journy to this particular SUV. I'll start.

I had never heard of Telluride and never thought I would be looking seriously at a - Kia? Then one day, about 6 months ago, I was walking to my car in a Costco Parking Lot when I spotted this SUV that I had never seen before. Something about it just stood out (I think the tails lights) and I was compelled to go over and take a closer look! It was a "Telluride" in what I now know was Dark Moss. I think it had a black interior. The owner was nowhere to be found, but after sneaking a peak inside and looking at all sides, I thought "this is really a nice looking car." This compelled me to look it up on YouTube and, after watching several videos, I decided to see if I could find one at a dealer.

After calling around I found only one dealer with a Telly on the lot (an S model) so I drove across town (of course) and looked at it up close. I was sold! After looking at all the trim levels, I found a dealer in Texas that was not marking them up like they were locally, so I put down $1000 on a 2021 Telly. Initially I had asked to order and EX with Premium package, but later decided a better valure would be the SX without Prestige (That pakage had a few things that I could live without). Going from the EX they way I had it configured to the SX was not really that much morebut had most of the stuff the EX Premium had PLUS:

• Reverse Tilt-Down Outside Mirrors
• Window Surround, Satin Chrome
• Door Handles, Body Color and Satin Chrome
• Dual Sunroofs
• LED Projector Beam Headlights. (Came with EX Premium)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Front Fog Lights, LED << Really wanted these
• Low Profile Roof Rails, Satin Chrome Finish
• 20-inch Alloy Wheels, Black Sport Finish
• Tire Size: 245/50R20
• Harman Kardon® 10-Speaker Premium Audio w/ Clari-Fi™, External Amplifier & Subwoofer. << This was a big factor
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
• Parking Distance Warning - Forward (PDW-F)
• Surround View Monitor (SVM)
• Supervision Meter Cluster w/ 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Color LCD Display
• Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror w/ HomeLink®
• 12-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat, w/ 2-Way Power Lumbar Support
• Driver's Seat Integrated Memory System (IMS)
• 7-Passenger Seating w/ 2nd-Row Captain's Chairs << Also comes with EX Premium
• 50/50 Split-Folding 2nd-Row Seats
• Stainless-Steel Door Sill Scuff Trim
• Stainless-Steel Pedals

What's your story?

 

[Mr.Pups]

Bored on a Saturday, one week away from (hopefully) picking up my Telly in Texas. I thought it would be fun to ask folks how you came to buy or want to buy a Telluride? WHat was your journy to this particular SUV. I'll start.

I had never heard of Telluride and never thought I would be looking seriously at a - Kia? Then one day, about 6 months ago, I was walking to my car in a Costco Parking Lot when I spotted this SUV that I had never seen before. Something about it just stood out (I think the tails lights) and I was compelled to go over and take a closer look! It was a "Telluride" in what I now know was Dark Moss. I think it had a black interior. The owner was nowhere to be found, but after sneaking a peak inside and looking at all sides, I thought "this is really a nice looking car." This compelled me to look it up on YouTube and, after watching several videos, I decided to see if I could find one at a dealer.

After calling around I found only one dealer with a Telly on the lot (an S model) so I drove across town (of course) and looked at it up close. I was sold! After looking at all the trim levels, I found a dealer in Texas that was not marking them up like they were locally, so I put down $1000 on a 2021 Telly. Initially I had asked to order and EX with Premium package, but later decided a better valure would be the SX without Prestige (That pakage had a few things that I could live without). Going from the EX they way I had it configured to the SX was not really that much morebut had most of the stuff the EX Premium had PLUS:

• Reverse Tilt-Down Outside Mirrors
• Window Surround, Satin Chrome
• Door Handles, Body Color and Satin Chrome
• Dual Sunroofs
• LED Projector Beam Headlights. (Came with EX Premium)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Front Fog Lights, LED << Really wanted these
• Low Profile Roof Rails, Satin Chrome Finish
• 20-inch Alloy Wheels, Black Sport Finish
• Tire Size: 245/50R20
• Harman Kardon® 10-Speaker Premium Audio w/ Clari-Fi™, External Amplifier & Subwoofer. << This was a big factor
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
• Parking Distance Warning - Forward (PDW-F)
• Surround View Monitor (SVM)
• Supervision Meter Cluster w/ 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Color LCD Display
• Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror w/ HomeLink®
• 12-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat, w/ 2-Way Power Lumbar Support
• Driver's Seat Integrated Memory System (IMS)
• 7-Passenger Seating w/ 2nd-Row Captain's Chairs << Also comes with EX Premium
• 50/50 Split-Folding 2nd-Row Seats
• Stainless-Steel Door Sill Scuff Trim
• Stainless-Steel Pedals

What's your story?

Love it!
Isn’t that just like every trip we take to Costco, go in just for toilet paper and come out with a car!?

 

[RAP]

Love it!
Isn’t that just like every trip we take to Costco, go in just for toilet paper and come out with a car!?

Great connection

 

[zhelder]

I had been thinking about getting an SUV for a few years. I test drove a Pilot, and was underwhelmed. Highlander never wowed me. BMW X5? Sure! Got a bank I can rob?

November 2018... Hyundai announces the Palisade. Instantly love it.

“That’s my next car.”

January 2019... Kia announces the Telluride. When I saw how beautiful it was, my jaw hit the floor.

”CORRECTION... THAT’S MY NEXT CAR.”

I‘ve been obsessed ever since.

______________________________

 

[bcjenkins]

Super Bowl commercial

 

[Familyman20]

Simple, stale competition and piss poor value imo with the other brands for what you get at around $45-50k. Never considered KIA but as time went on this vehicle really began to stand out for its great value. If it remains reliable for us we may consider another KIA in the future. So far its been as great as all the hype

 

[gman1868]

Before the T had arrived on the market, I had driven a few other SUVs. The Pilot, Highlander, CX-9, and Exploder Explorer but none of them had the features, fit and finish of an Audi. Couldn't see spending $50k on any of them. Then in 2019, read about the Telluride on Car and Driver, went to test drive it, SOLD! I had thought I was going to buy a Q5 (they are better handling and quicker than the T). However, with the options it's much more expensive and much smaller. The Q7 is closer in size but the price and poor reliability ruled that one out right away. Haven't looked back since then

 

[BasilFawlty]

Before the T had arrived on the market, I had driven a few other SUVs. The Pilot, Highlander, CX-9, and Exploder Explorer but none of them had the features, fit and finish of an Audi. Couldn't see spending $50k on any of them. Then in 2019, read about the Telluride on Car and Driver, went to test drive it, SOLD! I had thought I was going to buy a Q5 (they are better handling and quicker than the T). However, with the options it's much more expensive and much smaller. The Q7 is closer in size but the price and poor reliability ruled that one out right away. Haven't looked back since then

"Exploder" LOL!
Actually, if it wern't for the Telly, The Ford Explorer most likely would have been our next car. Back in August 2017 we drove our Hyundai Santa Fe from New Mexico up to my sisters place in Cheyenne, Wy for the total solar eclipse. To view the total eclipse, we all had to drive up to a ranch near Casper that belonged to a friend of my sister. Just before we were to leave, I noticed a very bad spot on on of the Santa Fe's tires so my Brother-in-Law, who had to work and wasn't going, said we could drive the Explorer.

Compared to my Santa Fe, that 2014 Explorer felt like a much more substantial car and I really liked driving it. Up until I saw the Telly I was convinced that a new Explorer was going to be our next car. But then I took that fateful trip to Costco

______________________________

 

[vinylhaircut]

I am just about to retire. As in ... six days from now. I've been extremely fortunate to have a fantastic perk for my entire career - almost 40 years of a company-paid car. At first, I received a new car every year, and for the last 15 years it's been every two years. With gas, insurance, and maintenance, it's saved me an enormous amount of money, and I recognize how lucky I've been. Now, that said, it's also meant that I have had almost no say in what I drive. I've had a couple of vehicles to choose from each time (nice cars but not great), and a few colors. In looking forward to retirement for the past couple of years, I've frequently daydreamed about what I'd choose. I looked at virtually every SUV on the market, including all the luxury models, went to multiple car shows, test drove a ton. Finally decided there was no reason to spend any more. One thing I was set on from the beginning: I ordered Ebony Black. For all of my company cars, I've never had the option to choose a black car. I know it isn't the most practical, but for my retirement present to myself, I decided to get the exact car I wanted. ETA is currently 28 days from now, so we'll have to manage with a single vehicle for the home stretch. Can't wait!

 

[blitt]

I went to the New York City car show in 2019....I knew I was going to be looking at the upcoming Lincoln Aviator SUV....had read some stuff about the upcoming Telluride ( but could not believe it ) .....looked at both at the show, read more later and made the choice: 95K for the Lincoln and all the tech that I wanted OR 48K for the Telly and MORE tech than the Lincoln! That was it.......

 

[Bossman-Don]

Started looking at mid size SUVs and was set at choosing between the new Highlander and VW Atlas Cross Sport. But every time I searched a comparison of the 2 I'd get a recommendation for the Telluride. So one Sunday I said to myself "what the hell, take a look at it". Started researching and as I'm researching the Nighfall commercial comes on and I knew it was meant to be.

 

[BasilFawlty]

I am just about to retire. As in ... six days from now. I've been extremely fortunate to have a fantastic perk for my entire career - almost 40 years of a company-paid car. At first, I received a new car every year, and for the last 15 years it's been every two years. With gas, insurance, and maintenance, it's saved me an enormous amount of money, and I recognize how lucky I've been. Now, that said, it's also meant that I have had almost no say in what I drive. I've had a couple of vehicles to choose from each time (nice cars but not great), and a few colors. In looking forward to retirement for the past couple of years, I've frequently daydreamed about what I'd choose. I looked at virtually every SUV on the market, including all the luxury models, went to multiple car shows, test drove a ton. Finally decided there was no reason to spend any more. One thing I was set on from the beginning: I ordered Ebony Black. For all of my company cars, I've never had the option to choose a black car. I know it isn't the most practical, but for my retirement present to myself, I decided to get the exact car I wanted. ETA is currently 28 days from now, so we'll have to manage with a single vehicle for the home stretch. Can't wait!

What exactly are you getting (i.e., what trim level, options, etc)?

______________________________

 

[vinylhaircut]

What exactly are you getting (i.e., what trim level, options, etc)?

SX-P, Ebony Black exterior, Black Interior, Towing Package, Lighting Package (WAY overpriced, I know), Illuminated Scuff Plates. Picked up some Smartliner floor mats, and I'm trying to get the Kia premium cargo liner from Canada. There are plenty of other accessories on my to-do list but I'm trying to buy too much before it gets here.

 

[BasilFawlty]

SX-P, Ebony Black exterior, Black Interior, Towing Package, Lighting Package (WAY overpriced, I know), Illuminated Scuff Plates. Picked up some Smartliner floor mats, and I'm trying to get the Kia premium cargo liner from Canada. There are plenty of other accessories on my to-do list but I'm trying to buy too much before it gets here.

Sounds like a great car with some great options! Floor mats are one thing I plan to add but have not decided which brand - so may choices!

 

[Frankie Knuckles]

I am just about to retire. As in ... six days from now. I've been extremely fortunate to have a fantastic perk for my entire career - almost 40 years of a company-paid car. At first, I received a new car every year, and for the last 15 years it's been every two years. With gas, insurance, and maintenance, it's saved me an enormous amount of money, and I recognize how lucky I've been. Now, that said, it's also meant that I have had almost no say in what I drive. I've had a couple of vehicles to choose from each time (nice cars but not great), and a few colors. In looking forward to retirement for the past couple of years, I've frequently daydreamed about what I'd choose. I looked at virtually every SUV on the market, including all the luxury models, went to multiple car shows, test drove a ton. Finally decided there was no reason to spend any more. One thing I was set on from the beginning: I ordered Ebony Black. For all of my company cars, I've never had the option to choose a black car. I know it isn't the most practical, but for my retirement present to myself, I decided to get the exact car I wanted. ETA is currently 28 days from now, so we'll have to manage with a single vehicle for the home stretch. Can't wait!

Great story. We need to talk because we have very similar stories. I will post mine later. I retired July 1. Congrats on your retirement.

 

[MarcinTexas]

Super Bowl commercial

How is it I have never seen this advertisement?! Such a fine piece...and now after 1.5 years of production the rest is history...now tons of people know about West Point GA! How many of us have google mapped the location to see where our Telluride was built?

My story (which came to fruition today) started with us eyeing the 2020 Explorer. The draw of a RWD platform and that fabulous ST had me hooked. We test drove one last fall and loved the way it handled...but I couldn't stand the interior and the horrid vertical infotainment screen. I hadn't seen that much cheap plastic since the 90's era GM products. Then the reviews started to roll in and the recalls, the Explorers being sent back to essentially be re-built. I was thinking do I want to spend $60K on a car with such a troubled launch. And do we really need that level of performance for the daily soccer mom duty? Do I want to be roped into rare and expensive 21" tires and premium gas...on a vehicle that was being recalled left and right....and had the risk of cutting yourself on the ill-fitting hard plastic on the interior? No. So we kept looking. Meanwhile - the reviews and awards kept rolling in on the KIA Telluride. I couldn't imagine buying a KIA. I make too much money to buy a KIA (lol!) Surely the hype isn't real. Then I started watching probably every single YouTuber large and small review the Telluride. Yeah...KIA (and every other manufacturer for that matter) can buy off Motor Trend and C&D - but they aren't going to buy off Car Confections, Doug Demuro, Alex on Autos, Matt Maran, Redline Reviews, Etc. These guys are independent. They like what they want to like and hate what they want to hate....and they all loved the Telluride. So I made a point to look at the Telluride (an SX Prestige) at the San Antonio Auto Show and was blown away. I couldn't believe how nice it was. The quality of the plastics, feature content, assembly precision...and then the long term reviews started to roll in and the praise continued. I decided (without a test drive) to order one from @StephenCantrelle back in January and the rest is history. Drove my SXP home today and it is everything all the reviewers said it was. Looking forward to many years with this car.

______________________________

 

[maridi]

Bored on a Saturday, one week away from (hopefully) picking up my Telly in Texas. I thought it would be fun to ask folks how you came to buy or want to buy a Telluride? WHat was your journy to this particular SUV. I'll start.

I had never heard of Telluride and never thought I would be looking seriously at a - Kia? Then one day, about 6 months ago, I was walking to my car in a Costco Parking Lot when I spotted this SUV that I had never seen before. Something about it just stood out (I think the tails lights) and I was compelled to go over and take a closer look! It was a "Telluride" in what I now know was Dark Moss. I think it had a black interior. The owner was nowhere to be found, but after sneaking a peak inside and looking at all sides, I thought "this is really a nice looking car." This compelled me to look it up on YouTube and, after watching several videos, I decided to see if I could find one at a dealer.

After calling around I found only one dealer with a Telly on the lot (an S model) so I drove across town (of course) and looked at it up close. I was sold! After looking at all the trim levels, I found a dealer in Texas that was not marking them up like they were locally, so I put down $1000 on a 2021 Telly. Initially I had asked to order and EX with Premium package, but later decided a better valure would be the SX without Prestige (That pakage had a few things that I could live without). Going from the EX they way I had it configured to the SX was not really that much morebut had most of the stuff the EX Premium had PLUS:

• Reverse Tilt-Down Outside Mirrors
• Window Surround, Satin Chrome
• Door Handles, Body Color and Satin Chrome
• Dual Sunroofs
• LED Projector Beam Headlights. (Came with EX Premium)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Front Fog Lights, LED << Really wanted these
• Low Profile Roof Rails, Satin Chrome Finish
• 20-inch Alloy Wheels, Black Sport Finish
• Tire Size: 245/50R20
• Harman Kardon® 10-Speaker Premium Audio w/ Clari-Fi™, External Amplifier & Subwoofer. << This was a big factor
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
• Parking Distance Warning - Forward (PDW-F)
• Surround View Monitor (SVM)
• Supervision Meter Cluster w/ 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Color LCD Display
• Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror w/ HomeLink®
• 12-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat, w/ 2-Way Power Lumbar Support
• Driver's Seat Integrated Memory System (IMS)
• 7-Passenger Seating w/ 2nd-Row Captain's Chairs << Also comes with EX Premium
• 50/50 Split-Folding 2nd-Row Seats
• Stainless-Steel Door Sill Scuff Trim
• Stainless-Steel Pedals

What's your story?

I was pretty convinced that I was going to get a Palisade. I went to the Hyundai dealer and had a pretty good deal, a bit less than 2 K under MSRP. This from a dealer that had been marking them up a few thousand dollars about six months ago. I had waited it out, since I really didn't need a new car that bad. I mean my Toyota Sienna is a 2005 and it has less than 140 K miles on it and it still runs dang good.
Anyhow, I wanted to just go look at the Toyota Highlander one last time, before I went into contract on the Palisade. I went there and confirmed I still didn't like it that much and it was too small for me. The salesman told me to go to their Kia dealer and check out the Tellurides. I had seen pictures online and I didn't think I really liked them, but I thought why not just go check them out? So I did and from that moment on, I knew it was going to be my next car. Well, actually after I drove it I knew I was going to have one. It was amazing how nice it drove. Well, I drove it, no wait, it kind of drove itself. I tried out the lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, etc. It is loaded with safety features and so much more as I am sure we all know.
I just ordered an SX with Towing Package in the most beautiful color ever...........Everlasting Silver.
I think I have 28 SX's ahead of me on order, so I am sure I will be waiting a long time, but better than paying those ridiculous amounts over MSRP.
I too almost got the EX Premium, but you are right, at that point, we are only about 3K away from the SX without the Prestige.
I love this forum. We have so many nice people that are so willing to help with advice on buying, options, etc.
Also, I remember asking my friend a couple of years ago, why in the world did she buy a KIA and now, here I am. That is supposed to be a sheepish face.

 

[MarcinTexas]

I was pretty convinced that I was going to get a Palisade. I went to the Hyundai dealer and had a pretty good deal, a bit less than 2 K under MSRP. This from a dealer that had been marking them up a few thousand dollars about six months ago. I had waited it out, since I really didn't need a new car that bad. I mean my Toyota Sienna is a 2005 and it has less than 140 K miles on it and it still runs dang good.
Anyhow, I wanted to just go look at the Toyota Highlander one last time, before I went into contract on the Palisade. I went there and confirmed I still didn't like it that much and it was too small for me. The salesman told me to go to their Kia dealer and check out the Tellurides. I had seen pictures online and I didn't think I really liked them, but I thought why not just go check them out? So I did and from that moment on, I knew it was going to be my next car. Well, actually after I drove it I knew I was going to have one. It was amazing how nice it drove. Well, I drove it, no wait, it kind of drove itself. I tried out the lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, etc. It is loaded with safety features and so much more as I am sure we all know.
I just ordered an SX with Towing Package in the most beautiful color ever...........Everlasting Silver.
I think I have 28 SX's ahead of me on order, so I am sure I will be waiting a long time, but better than paying those ridiculous amounts over MSRP.
I too almost got the EX Premium, but you are right, at that point, we are only about 3K away from the SX without the Prestige.
I love this forum. We have so many nice people that are so willing to help with advice on buying, options, etc.
Also, I remember asking my friend a couple of years ago, why in the world did she buy a KIA and now, here I am. That is supposed to be a sheepish face.

Good call on going with the SX. The small premium over the EX Premium really is worth it.

 

[maridi]

What is the Premium Cargo liner from Canada?
Also, interesting that Canada gets their Tellurides with LED lights on all of their models.
Not sure why Kia didn't think we should get them on our lower trim models too.

 

[maridi]

Good call on going with the SX. The small premium over the EX Premium really is worth it.

Thank you and congrats on your new Telluride. That must have been a very nice drive home.