Interior Differences in trim levels

[maddmike]

I have a loaded SX on order but I did not have the opportunity to drive a Telluride till today as the local dealers sell them as they come in.

I went by the dealer and they had an unsold S that I could test drive (after waiting for another couple to finish their test drive, that couple had purchased the vehicle by the time I returned). I had sat in an EX before but never an SX. It was mainly covered in plastic and missing the bells and whistles of the SX but some things stood out to me. The first was the grab handles and that whole area being hard plastic which dug into my knee. I'm hoping that the higher trims have some softer materials in this area as one of the things I disliked about my CX-9 was a hard corner right where my knee hit.

Obviously the center screen, sunroof, and the headliner are different and the seats have more adjustments but is the lower door card the same hard plastic? It just seemed very cheap below the belt line and I didn't remember the EX being like that. Also, there was a decent amount of wind noise from the mirror area when at speed. I'm assuming the lower trims don't have the laminated glass in the front. As much as I hate the fake wood, the large plastic panels are even worse. Could they make a $1000 real wood and leather dash options? That would be great.

Either way, the vehicle drives nicely and is still a great value. I just want to make sure that my driving leg won't be hitting something hard.

 

[Tellthemride]

The proportions and positioning of all the handles/trim pieces are going to be the same. So if the grab handle hits your knees for the S, it will still hit your knees in the SX. It is wrapped in leather, but it isn’t padded any more than the lower trims.

Is the lower door card the same hard plastic?

Yes, plastic on the door below the arm rest.

there was a decent amount of wind noise from the mirror area when at speed. I'm assuming the lower trims don't have the laminated glass in the front.

Correct, EX and SX trim are quieter with the laminated glass

As much as I hate the fake wood, the large plastic panels are even worse. Could they make a $1000 real wood and leather dash options? That would be great.

Custom body shop might be able to do this for you. Or real wood overlay?

Either way, the vehicle drives nicely and is still a great value. I just want to make sure that my driving leg won't be hitting something hard.

You might have to change your driving position or leave some padding in that area. Definitely pay attention to it on your test drive before buying if you plan to commit to it.

 

[PittPa]

Not trying to sound like a snob, But I have only driven German cars for many years so this is my first foray into an Asian car in some time. My last car was a 3 series and it had more hard plastic touch parts on it than the Telly! I think Kia has done a great job making the car appeal to the majority but at some point there are going to some differences with this car and say a Range Rover. Yes there is some plastic where you would like some soft touch material. Power steering wheel adjustment, nope. Full seating options for the passenger seat, nope. I'm finding some of these things since I just got the car a month ago. These things aren't that important to me as much as the safety features this car has. To get these options in German cars, little came with the base models and to obtain the full lineup you nearly had to buy the top trim package like the Prestige in Audi.