New 2023 SX-Prestige X-Line - my 2 week / 1,000 mile impressions / review / suggested changes

[clow]

Picked up my new 2023 SX-Prestige X-Line in Everlasting Silver with Terracotta interior two weeks ago. I figured I’d give you my thoughts/review at almost 1,000 miles.

This is a bit long and separated into two parts. First, general overall impressions. These include commentary about many of the issues I’ve come across on the many posts throughout this forum. Second – a list of suggested items that Kia should work on for future model years and/or software updates for current vehicles.

General Overall Impressions:​

Wow!!!! I've never been in love with a vehicle in my life. This is my first! Lol. I had the pleasure of driving my new Telly to Long Island, NY from Morgantown, WV (about 475 miles over two days) which really allowed me to get to know many of the features.

1. Terracotta looked pretty orange in the photos my dealer provided me as well as most every photo I've seen posted. I was really concerned if I was going to like it. Not the case - it's gorgeous!!! You have to see it in person - the camera definitely gives it an orange tinge. My wife thinks it looks more like caramel colored. I'm so, so happy with it – certainly a great decision!
2. First time I've had a heads up display (HUD) - now can never go back!!!! It's fabulous! As others have reported you can't change the color or size of the speed as in prior year models. It's white. Honestly - would have never known anything different if it wasn't brought up in another thread. My dealer said that Kia changed the vendor that handles the software of the infotainment system in 2023 models. That's likely why the color option isn't there. Perhaps it was an oversight in the first release??? Time will tell.
3. Related to the HUD, but also the dashboard -- the cruise control, lane centering, lane changing is all right there. If you ever side swipe another vehicle (due to blind spot) while driving this car - you had your eyes closed! There are so many indicators about approaching vehicles and it's handled so nicely! You don't even need the cool blind spot cameras when changing lanes. You have big red indicators in HUD and dashboard so you know while you are looking straight ahead if you have anyone in your blind spot!
4. The safety and automation on this vehicle is incredible. It almost drives itself. It did a fantastic job on lane centering and changing lanes. Just hit the turn signal a little to start the blinker - the Telly changes lanes and when it's done turns your blinker off. I was extremely impressed with the automation and from my experience worked just about flawlessly.
5. Heat at idle worked perfectly. I know many people have had an issue, knock on wood I haven't yet. I keep the Telly in Auto mode for climate and on low for the fan speed (1 LED). Outside temperature for most of the trip was about 35 degrees. Let's see if it still works when it's colder. Remote starting via Kia Connect and the Smart Key also heat the Telly perfectly. In fact, the capability to set the climate controls the way you want them from the Kia Connect app is fantastic!
6. Door unlocking and locking via the outside handle worked perfectly - just as good as my previous Jeep Grand Cherokees. There are a lot of complaints that the doors won't open when touching it on the inside of the door handle without playing around with it. Never had an issue. If you are – your Telly either has a defect, or read the manual on how to do it properly.
7. Some people have experienced when they start the car, the infotainment defaults to the home screen. For the most part mine has been defaulting to where it left off, whether I use remote start or not. I only have one profile set as of now and that profile is set to my Kia Connect account. On occasion it does default to the plain home screen, but I find that this happens if I turned off the Telly when I was on the setup or app screen. I also tested it by leaving the radio on the left side and map on the right side when I shut down. That did end up having the plain home screen come on when re-starting. It seems that Kia is definitely obsessed with their map screen (see my list of suggested changes in the next section) and I think that plays into this issue. In any case – if I leave the left side of the screen on map and the right side on radio (SiriusXM), it consistently returns to that screen when restarting the Telly. Same result when I use Carplay (wired or wirelessly) – other than it replaces the radio on the right side with the map. By the way – I setup the * key on the steering wheel to be the Map button and the * key on the center stack to be the Carplay key.
8. Digital Key is AWESOME!!! No more carrying the Smart Key to the gym! Digital Key was a little confusing to setup (it’s a two step process – first setup your phone with the Kia app and then go to setup in vehicle and hit save to initiate it). However once I got it - and found the right spot on the phone - it works instantly. I know people have complained that it takes a while to work. With my iPhone - I just tapped the back (towards the top of the phone) to the middle of the drivers handle and the Telly unlocks (same to lock when exiting). Then place the phone on the charging pad and boom - start the car! All instant (or within 3 seconds). I find the apple watch consistently works instantly whereas the iPhone varies from instant to 3 seconds. It’s all in the placement – practice a few times and then you’ll be good to go!
9. Windshield Wiper fluid definitely only hit a little less than half way up the windshield at 65-70 MPH as other people have noted. It was fine when going slower speeds.
10. The camera that reads stop signs, school zones, yield signs and the like is very cool! Red light camera warnings with how many feet to the red light camera displayed on the HUD and map screen is great! The Telly also warned me of a highway speed camera that Waze didn't!
11. No complaints about the microphone causing loud bangs to the other party on the call. I was really, really worried about that reported issue. Doesn’t happen whether I have sunglasses in the holder or not. In addition to having many calls, I also called my home phone voicemail using Bluetooth, wired carplay and wireless Carplay (using Carlinkit 3.0). Overall the quality is pretty good. I feel Bluetooth provides the best quality, followed by wired Carplay and then wireless carplay. Not sure why Bluetooth seems better than wired Carplay but to me it is. With several calls to my adult son, he says that the wireless Carplay was awful on his side. When I changed to Bluetooth he said the quality was as good as my Jeep Grand Cherokee (which has several surrounding microphones). The recordings I created don’t seem to have the significant of a difference – but I have to trust what live callers say. Based on that, I’m now defaulting to Bluetooth and use the Kia nav app most of the time. When I know I need Waze for traffic situations, I then plug in the Carlinkit 3.0 for wireless Carplay. There is definitely much more integration in the HUD and Map screens when using Kia nav instead of Waze.
12. Love the automatic folding side-view mirrors. I was concerned that I needed to turn off the automatic part because I need to use the button to mechanically close them to go into my garage. Kia handled that situation perfectly. I keep them on automatic so I have the convenience around town, etc. As I approach my garage, I use the button to fold them. They then stay folded until I use the button to unfold them. Then they return to automatic! So when I leave my garage I don't have to remember to fold them closed because they don't automatically unfold!!! Perfect!
13. Many people were complaining of a lag when using Carplay with Waze. I had no lag (iPhone 14 Pro 128MB). I went about 300 of my first 475 miles with Carplay in full screen until I figured out how to split screen it so I can see SiriusXM on the right side. Those first 475 miles was with wired Carplay. Since then, my next 400+ miles has been with wireless Carplay on the left side of the screen and have experienced no lag so far. I know when I used this unit in my Jeep last year, every once in a while I experienced lag with the Carlinkit 3.0 unit. I upgraded this Carlinkit 3.0 unit with the lastest firmware (required three updates to bring it current) and now they have an option to use the car’s GPS for more accuracy. I’ve used that function and so far (knock on wood), no lagging!
14. The Telly drives really well. I can’t really discern a difference between the Telly and my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Seems to handle potholes nicely – really have no complaints on road handling.
15. I think the road noise level is great. Seems to be about the same as my former Jeep when I had the noise reduction package and much better than the Jeep without the noise reduction package.

Suggested Improvements in priority order:​

Software Based:

1. Wireless Carplay / Android Auto
2. Need to honor the user selected default on the right side of split screen when Maps isn’t on the left side of split screen. For some reason the infotainment system forces the map as the default on the right side – especially noticeable when Carplay is on the left side of split screen. I personally would like the radio as the default on the right side of the split screen no matter what’s on the left side.
3. Bluetooth Phone Favorites. Seems that this was originally present in earlier model years and mysteriously taken away.
4. SiriusXM favorite song/artist and favorite sports team and alert when team is playing
5. High Beam Assist – remember last setting

Hardware Based:

1. X-Line/X-Pro – Should use the dark metallic color (or similar) that’s around the window trim for the front/rear bumpers, grill trim, side stripes and badging.
2. Power window lock switch/Electronic Child Safety Lock switch should either be relocated or the switch should be changed to a sliding switch. Since I always need to fold/unfold my side-view mirrors manually when entering/exiting my garage, I’m constantly hitting that switch with the base of my hand and unintentionally locking the windows and rear doors. This is frustrating!
3. Figure out a way to send more washer fluid to window when going highway speeds.
4. Auto-Dim Driver Sideview Mirror
5. Lock/unlock car doors from rear doors, not just front doors.
6. Smart Key:
   1. It’s too big.
   2. Why is the mechanical key a separate item? Adds clunkiness to the already large fob.
   3. Design Issue on new 2023 Smart Key - when trying to auto start car from smart key your other fingers naturally press buttons on the other side of the smart key.
   4. Assign profiles, memory settings set to smart key
7. Add backlighting to the Homelink buttons on trims lower than the SX-Prestige. Prestige has this (as well as garage door feedback – which is really cool) as part of the digital rearview mirror.
8. Upgrade the car horn. Sounds much lower than a standard car horn (or is the sound suppression system in the cabin that good??? I doubt it… lol).

Documentation:

1. The QR codes in the manuals point to videos that are several model years old and are outdated or non existent.
2. Documentation in general has outdated areas. For example, 2023 no longer has some capability in the HUD area (changing size/color of MPH display), yet documentation shows it.

Notes:

There have been other complaints I’ve seen in forums / Facebook groups, but I personally haven’t experienced them. My conclusion is that either the 2023 has corrected them, this issue is on a lower trim, or it’s a defect on that specific vehicle.

Conclusion:​

Get this car! If you’ve been on the fence or worried based on what some people have experienced on this forum – I get it. I had many concerns. But honestly, that’s what these forums are for. People have real issues, defects and other items. You are going to hear much more of that than all the good this car has. I’m sure it’s similar for most manufacturers. I honestly love this car. Do I have suggested changes, yes. But doesn’t anything we love always have room for improvement? Yes! Lol.

Hopefully I’ve answered many questions that forum members may have. If not, please feel free to reply and ask away – I’ll be more than happy to share any of my experiences, especially to those who are awaiting delivery of their new Tellys!

 

[rcoplien]

Awesome review. Talking about manually folding your mirrors before going into the garage you don't have to do that. Your telly has a button above the right door mirror switch that when depressed makes your mirrors auto fold in even when your driving. It's right above the mirror toggle switch button.

 

[clow]

Awesome review. Talking about manually folding your mirrors before going into the garage you don't have to do that. Your telly has a button above the right door mirror switch that when depressed makes your mirrors auto fold in even when your driving. It's right above the mirror toggle switch button.

Thanks. Also, thanks for the comments on the folding of the mirrors. I probably could have worded that part better - when I meant manually close - them, I meant using that button to force the windows closed - it's a wonderful button!!!! lol. I updated the review to word that better - thanks for the feedback!

 

[PellyTelly]

The power folding mirrors were one of the reasons we opted for the telluride over the palisade. Seems palisade gets power folding third row while telluride gets the mirrors. So weird - no logic to that.

______________________________

 

[clow]

Agree - very strange! Definitely make use of the mirrors much more than the 3rd row seat.

 

[Jreask]

Picked up my new 2023 SX-Prestige X-Line in Everlasting Silver with Terracotta interior two weeks ago. I figured I’d give you my thoughts/review at almost 1,000 miles.

This is a bit long and separated into two parts. First, general overall impressions. These include commentary about many of the issues I’ve come across on the many posts throughout this forum. Second – a list of suggested items that Kia should work on for future model years and/or software updates for current vehicles.

General Overall Impressions:​

Wow!!!! I've never been in love with a vehicle in my life. This is my first! Lol. I had the pleasure of driving my new Telly to Long Island, NY from Morgantown, WV (about 475 miles over two days) which really allowed me to get to know many of the features.

1. Terracotta looked pretty orange in the photos my dealer provided me as well as most every photo I've seen posted. I was really concerned if I was going to like it. Not the case - it's gorgeous!!! You have to see it in person - the camera definitely gives it an orange tinge. My wife thinks it looks more like caramel colored. I'm so, so happy with it – certainly a great decision!
2. First time I've had a heads up display (HUD) - now can never go back!!!! It's fabulous! As others have reported you can't change the color or size of the speed as in prior year models. It's white. Honestly - would have never known anything different if it wasn't brought up in another thread. My dealer said that Kia changed the vendor that handles the software of the infotainment system in 2023 models. That's likely why the color option isn't there. Perhaps it was an oversight in the first release??? Time will tell.
3. Related to the HUD, but also the dashboard -- the cruise control, lane centering, lane changing is all right there. If you ever side swipe another vehicle (due to blind spot) while driving this car - you had your eyes closed! There are so many indicators about approaching vehicles and it's handled so nicely! You don't even need the cool blind spot cameras when changing lanes. You have big red indicators in HUD and dashboard so you know while you are looking straight ahead if you have anyone in your blind spot!
4. The safety and automation on this vehicle is incredible. It almost drives itself. It did a fantastic job on lane centering and changing lanes. Just hit the turn signal a little to start the blinker - the Telly changes lanes and when it's done turns your blinker off. I was extremely impressed with the automation and from my experience worked just about flawlessly.
5. Heat at idle worked perfectly. I know many people have had an issue, knock on wood I haven't yet. I keep the Telly in Auto mode for climate and on low for the fan speed (1 LED). Outside temperature for most of the trip was about 35 degrees. Let's see if it still works when it's colder. Remote starting via Kia Connect and the Smart Key also heat the Telly perfectly. In fact, the capability to set the climate controls the way you want them from the Kia Connect app is fantastic!
6. Door unlocking and locking via the outside handle worked perfectly - just as good as my previous Jeep Grand Cherokees. There are a lot of complaints that the doors won't open when touching it on the inside of the door handle without playing around with it. Never had an issue. If you are – your Telly either has a defect, or read the manual on how to do it properly.
7. Some people have experienced when they start the car, the infotainment defaults to the home screen. For the most part mine has been defaulting to where it left off, whether I use remote start or not. I only have one profile set as of now and that profile is set to my Kia Connect account. On occasion it does default to the plain home screen, but I find that this happens if I turned off the Telly when I was on the setup or app screen. I also tested it by leaving the radio on the left side and map on the right side when I shut down. That did end up having the plain home screen come on when re-starting. It seems that Kia is definitely obsessed with their map screen (see my list of suggested changes in the next section) and I think that plays into this issue. In any case – if I leave the left side of the screen on map and the right side on radio (SiriusXM), it consistently returns to that screen when restarting the Telly. Same result when I use Carplay (wired or wirelessly) – other than it replaces the radio on the right side with the map. By the way – I setup the * key on the steering wheel to be the Map button and the * key on the center stack to be the Carplay key.
8. Digital Key is AWESOME!!! No more carrying the Smart Key to the gym! Digital Key was a little confusing to setup (it’s a two step process – first setup your phone with the Kia app and then go to setup in vehicle and hit save to initiate it). However once I got it - and found the right spot on the phone - it works instantly. I know people have complained that it takes a while to work. With my iPhone - I just tapped the back (towards the top of the phone) to the middle of the drivers handle and the Telly unlocks (same to lock when exiting). Then place the phone on the charging pad and boom - start the car! All instant (or within 3 seconds). I find the apple watch consistently works instantly whereas the iPhone varies from instant to 3 seconds. It’s all in the placement – practice a few times and then you’ll be good to go!
9. Windshield Wiper fluid definitely only hit a little less than half way up the windshield at 65-70 MPH as other people have noted. It was fine when going slower speeds.
10. The camera that reads stop signs, school zones, yield signs and the like is very cool! Red light camera warnings with how many feet to the red light camera displayed on the HUD and map screen is great! The Telly also warned me of a highway speed camera that Waze didn't!
11. No complaints about the microphone causing loud bangs to the other party on the call. I was really, really worried about that reported issue. Doesn’t happen whether I have sunglasses in the holder or not. In addition to having many calls, I also called my home phone voicemail using Bluetooth, wired carplay and wireless Carplay (using Carlinkit 3.0). Overall the quality is pretty good. I feel Bluetooth provides the best quality, followed by wired Carplay and then wireless carplay. Not sure why Bluetooth seems better than wired Carplay but to me it is. With several calls to my adult son, he says that the wireless Carplay was awful on his side. When I changed to Bluetooth he said the quality was as good as my Jeep Grand Cherokee (which has several surrounding microphones). The recordings I created don’t seem to have the significant of a difference – but I have to trust what live callers say. Based on that, I’m now defaulting to Bluetooth and use the Kia nav app most of the time. When I know I need Waze for traffic situations, I then plug in the Carlinkit 3.0 for wireless Carplay. There is definitely much more integration in the HUD and Map screens when using Kia nav instead of Waze.
12. Love the automatic folding side-view mirrors. I was concerned that I needed to turn off the automatic part because I need to use the button to mechanically close them to go into my garage. Kia handled that situation perfectly. I keep them on automatic so I have the convenience around town, etc. As I approach my garage, I use the button to fold them. They then stay folded until I use the button to unfold them. Then they return to automatic! So when I leave my garage I don't have to remember to fold them closed because they don't automatically unfold!!! Perfect!
13. Many people were complaining of a lag when using Carplay with Waze. I had no lag (iPhone 14 Pro 128MB). I went about 300 of my first 475 miles with Carplay in full screen until I figured out how to split screen it so I can see SiriusXM on the right side. Those first 475 miles was with wired Carplay. Since then, my next 400+ miles has been with wireless Carplay on the left side of the screen and have experienced no lag so far. I know when I used this unit in my Jeep last year, every once in a while I experienced lag with the Carlinkit 3.0 unit. I upgraded this Carlinkit 3.0 unit with the lastest firmware (required three updates to bring it current) and now they have an option to use the car’s GPS for more accuracy. I’ve used that function and so far (knock on wood), no lagging!
14. The Telly drives really well. I can’t really discern a difference between the Telly and my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Seems to handle potholes nicely – really have no complaints on road handling.
15. I think the road noise level is great. Seems to be about the same as my former Jeep when I had the noise reduction package and much better than the Jeep without the noise reduction package.

Suggested Improvements in priority order:​

Software Based:

1. Wireless Carplay / Android Auto
2. Need to honor the user selected default on the right side of split screen when Maps isn’t on the left side of split screen. For some reason the infotainment system forces the map as the default on the right side – especially noticeable when Carplay is on the left side of split screen. I personally would like the radio as the default on the right side of the split screen no matter what’s on the left side.
3. Bluetooth Phone Favorites. Seems that this was originally present in earlier model years and mysteriously taken away.
4. SiriusXM favorite song/artist and favorite sports team and alert when team is playing
5. High Beam Assist – remember last setting

Hardware Based:

1. X-Line/X-Pro – Should use the dark metallic color (or similar) that’s around the window trim for the front/rear bumpers, grill trim, side stripes and badging.
2. Power window lock switch/Electronic Child Safety Lock switch should either be relocated or the switch should be changed to a sliding switch. Since I always need to fold/unfold my side-view mirrors manually when entering/exiting my garage, I’m constantly hitting that switch with the base of my hand and unintentionally locking the windows and rear doors. This is frustrating!
3. Figure out a way to send more washer fluid to window when going highway speeds.
4. Auto-Dim Driver Sideview Mirror
5. Lock/unlock car doors from rear doors, not just front doors.
6. Smart Key:
   1. It’s too big.
   2. Why is the mechanical key a separate item? Adds clunkiness to the already large fob.
   3. Design Issue on new 2023 Smart Key - when trying to auto start car from smart key your other fingers naturally press buttons on the other side of the smart key.
   4. Assign profiles, memory settings set to smart key
7. Add backlighting to the Homelink buttons on trims lower than the SX-Prestige. Prestige has this (as well as garage door feedback – which is really cool) as part of the digital rearview mirror.
8. Upgrade the car horn. Sounds much lower than a standard car horn (or is the sound suppression system in the cabin that good??? I doubt it… lol).

Documentation:

1. The QR codes in the manuals point to videos that are several model years old and are outdated or non existent.
2. Documentation in general has outdated areas. For example, 2023 no longer has some capability in the HUD area (changing size/color of MPH display), yet documentation shows it.

Notes:

There have been other complaints I’ve seen in forums / Facebook groups, but I personally haven’t experienced them. My conclusion is that either the 2023 has corrected them, this issue is on a lower trim, or it’s a defect on that specific vehicle.

Conclusion:​

Get this car! If you’ve been on the fence or worried based on what some people have experienced on this forum – I get it. I had many concerns. But honestly, that’s what these forums are for. People have real issues, defects and other items. You are going to hear much more of that than all the good this car has. I’m sure it’s similar for most manufacturers. I honestly love this car. Do I have suggested changes, yes. But doesn’t anything we love always have room for improvement? Yes! Lol.

Hopefully I’ve answered many questions that forum members may have. If not, please feel free to reply and ask away – I’ll be more than happy to share any of my experiences, especially to those who are awaiting delivery of their new Tellys!

This was a very detailed and informative review. Thanks for posting.

 

[clow]

The power folding mirrors were one of the reasons we opted for the telluride over the palisade. Seems palisade gets power folding third row while telluride gets the mirrors. So weird - no logic to that.

Agree - I'll take that trade-off any day!

 

[DrGrayB]

@clow: Curious, if you live up in Long Island, NY, why did you buy your Telluride from Morgantown, WV? That being said, I do understand finding exactly what you're looking for somewhere else, and the varying fees at different dealerships. But it looks like you ordered yours from Freedom, why didn't you order from a place closer to home?

______________________________

 

[KennyE]

Good write-up! I’m on my first shakedown roadtrip. Only 600 miles roundtrip, but I’m learning a lot! One big issue so far. I was driving down a hilly, unlit road into my MIL’s neighborhood. The first time night driving under these conditions. These LED headlights freaked me the hell out. I though I was having a stroke, or blacking out for a second.
They cut a perfect horizontal line across their field when on low beam. And its a little hilly coming into moms neighborhood.
So when I started downhill, it was like someone was lowering a black shade down the windshield. Once I went to full Auto-High beams vision was much improved.
Another issue, pulling up to the intersection in this dark, unlit road; i put on my right blinker, but there is zero side light on either side. This crestes an issue where I had to pull way out into the intersection to begin my turn, to assure Im not clipping a curb or dropping a wheel in the ditch by turning short. You just cant see anything! KIA needs to add a cornering light on either side of the front to illuminate this. It’s downright scary! Am I not doing something right? Is there a solution to this?

 

[KennyE]

Here’s a photo of the distinct horizontal line of illumination with the LED’s. It a little freaky at first that it is almost laser sharp line of demarcation, not a flood like I am used to. It really seems to create an optical illusion of a shade coming down from the top of the windshield, in the right conditions of topping, then dropping down a hill.

 

[clow]

Here’s a photo of the distinct horizontal line of illumination with the LED’s. It a little freaky at first that it is almost laser sharp line of demarcation, not a flood like I am used to. It really seems to create an optical illusion of a shade coming down from the top of the windshield, in the right conditions of topping, then dropping down a hill. View attachment 30029

Wow - cool picture - but understand you concern. I don't live in an area without street lights so haven't experienced this. Make sure your fog lights are on (if you have that on your trim level) - that should provide some side light.

 

[clow]

@clow: Curious, if you live up in Long Island, NY, why did you buy your Telluride from Morgantown, WV? That being said, I do understand finding exactly what you're looking for somewhere else, and the varying fees at different dealerships. But it looks like you ordered yours from Freedom, why didn't you order from a place closer to home?

Good question. When I started looking at Telluride's in March of 2022 - all the dealerships that I checked out near me and on Long Island were all 16-17% above MSRP. So that meant $7-$8k over MSRP. There is not a fiber in my being that would subscribe to that. While I fell in love with the Telluride when I saw it, I would have just gone with another Jeep Grand Cherokee that I could have gotten at MSRP. I actually ordered a 2022 SXP Nightfall from my local dealer in March 2022 because it was a refundable deposit and they said they will negotiate the price a bit. On April 20th they called me and said Kia picked up my order. I told them I'd prefer to hold out for the 2023 that was just announced but I would take the 2022 if they sell it to me at MSRP. They said no. I told them I was out and got my deposit back. That same day I reviewed this forum for any leads on dealers selling for MSRP. I received a good tip on a dealer in Ohio but that dealer said it would be about 2 years based on their waiting list. Then I found a post from Freedom. I checked in with Chris Imler who had the post and he said there were 85-90 people in front of me on the waiting list, but based on their earnings and allocations I would get mine in 5-7 months. I then checked airfare and distance and felt this could be a cool adventure. For less than a $1,000 in expenses, I could get the car at MSRP and make a nice little weekend of it. So I went for it!!!

Freedom was right on track - in late August / early September they told me Kia picked up my order for a 2022 that would arrive around 10/5 - just 5 1/2 months from ordering. I really wanted the 2023 and as they indicated when I ordered it - I could pass on the 2022 and hold my place in line for the 2023. So that's what I did. Unfortunately Kia was a bit slow getting my trim level of the 2023 in production so my order wasn't picked up until early January. Worth the wait - the 2023 is awesome!!!

Best decision I made! My travel expenses were less than $200. Fortunately I have points on Southwest and my wife flys free as a companion. I also have points with Marriott. So my flights and hotel were free. We picked up the car at Freedom on Saturday morning (they picked us up at the airport). Drove 3 1/2 hours to Baltimore that Saturday and enjoyed the night at the Inner Harbor. Then drove 4 hours back on Sunday. Total cost was $25 for parking in Baltimore, tolls and a tank of gas! We also really got to know our Telly during the 475 miles back home.

Based on the experience I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

______________________________

 

[KennyE]

Like you I ordered a 2022 model in June of 22 from Gossett Kia in Memphis. At sticker. 1k, non refundable deposit. In November they called to ask if I was ok bumping to the 2023. Of course! In Feb, I started attempting to contact KIA America to inquire about the holdup. I had never been provided a VIN by Gossett. Kia advised they did have my order, but production was nowhere in sight. I ordered a SX Prestige X Line AWD, Wolf Grey, Terra Cotta. Gossett called me 3 weeks ago to inform me my order was still not in production, but asked if Id accept this one which is all I ordered, but Black Nappa vs Terra Cotta. I took it. Got it at MSRP as well.

 

[DrGrayB]

Good question. When I started looking at Telluride's in March of 2022 - all the dealerships that I checked out near me and on Long Island were all 16-17% above MSRP. So that meant $7-$8k over MSRP. There is not a fiber in my being that would subscribe to that. While I fell in love with the Telluride when I saw it, I would have just gone with another Jeep Grand Cherokee that I could have gotten at MSRP. I actually ordered a 2022 SXP Nightfall from my local dealer in March 2022 because it was a refundable deposit and they said they will negotiate the price a bit. On April 20th they called me and said Kia picked up my order. I told them I'd prefer to hold out for the 2023 that was just announced but I would take the 2022 if they sell it to me at MSRP. They said no. I told them I was out and got my deposit back. That same day I reviewed this forum for any leads on dealers selling for MSRP. I received a good tip on a dealer in Ohio but that dealer said it would be about 2 years based on their waiting list. Then I found a post from Freedom. I checked in with Chris Imler who had the post and he said there were 85-90 people in front of me on the waiting list, but based on their earnings and allocations I would get mine in 5-7 months. I then checked airfare and distance and felt this could be a cool adventure. For less than a $1,000 in expenses, I could get the car at MSRP and make a nice little weekend of it. So I went for it!!!

Freedom was right on track - in late August / early September they told me Kia picked up my order for a 2022 that would arrive around 10/5 - just 5 1/2 months from ordering. I really wanted the 2023 and as they indicated when I ordered it - I could pass on the 2022 and hold my place in line for the 2023. So that's what I did. Unfortunately Kia was a bit slow getting my trim level of the 2023 in production so my order wasn't picked up until early January. Worth the wait - the 2023 is awesome!!!

Best decision I made! My travel expenses were less than $200. Fortunately I have points on Southwest and my wife flys free as a companion. I also have points with Marriott. So my flights and hotel were free. We picked up the car at Freedom on Saturday morning (they picked us up at the airport). Drove 3 1/2 hours to Baltimore that Saturday and enjoyed the night at the Inner Harbor. Then drove 4 hours back on Sunday. Total cost was $25 for parking in Baltimore, tolls and a tank of gas! We also really got to know our Telly during the 475 miles back home.

Based on the experience I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Ah, I *almost* did something similar. I bought from a dealer in MD and had it delivered yesterday. Through this forum, I saw that someone in NJ bought their Telluride at Coughlin Kia of Lancaster, OH and had it shipped for ~$620. I found the trim and color scheme my wife wanted at the same dealer for $1000 under MSRP, and the cost to ship the car (with a 3rd party) was about the same ($639.) Coughlin's doc fees are low too. Just checked, the one I almost bought is still there and now $1300 under MSRP! Turns out I have a cousin in Columbus, so I could have made a visit out of it. Flight for me would have been around $300-$350, and the drive back would have been about 360 miles. Key reason I didn't do it: Coughlin insisted I finance through them, and their rate was not-so-good (assuming I could have refinanced immediately, that cost was almost $400 and at a slightly higher rate than I have now.) I wound up getting the trim and color for MSRP, and delivered right to my house. Still figuring everything out but it's been great so far!

 

[clow]

Like you I ordered a 2022 model in June of 22 from Gossett Kia in Memphis. At sticker. 1k, non refundable deposit. In November they called to ask if I was ok bumping to the 2023. Of course! In Feb, I started attempting to contact KIA America to inquire about the holdup. I had never been provided a VIN by Gossett. Kia advised they did have my order, but production was nowhere in sight. I ordered a SX Prestige X Line AWD, Wolf Grey, Terra Cotta. Gossett called me 3 weeks ago to inform me my order was still not in production, but asked if Id accept this one which is all I ordered, but Black Nappa vs Terra Cotta. I took it. Got it at MSRP as well.

Yeah - those SX-Prestige X-Line’s are really much harder to come by. Very frustrating. Glad you finally got one that was darn close to what you wanted!

 

[clow]

Ah, I *almost* did something similar. I bought from a dealer in MD and had it delivered yesterday. Through this forum, I saw that someone in NJ bought their Telluride at Coughlin Kia of Lancaster, OH and had it shipped for ~$620. I found the trim and color scheme my wife wanted at the same dealer for $1000 under MSRP, and the cost to ship the car (with a 3rd party) was about the same ($639.) Coughlin's doc fees are low too. Just checked, the one I almost bought is still there and now $1300 under MSRP! Turns out I have a cousin in Columbus, so I could have made a visit out of it. Flight for me would have been around $300-$350, and the drive back would have been about 360 miles. Key reason I didn't do it: Coughlin insisted I finance through them, and their rate was not-so-good (assuming I could have refinanced immediately, that cost was almost $400 and at a slightly higher rate than I have now.) I wound up getting the trim and color for MSRP, and delivered right to my house. Still figuring everything out but it's been great so far!

Awesome! You had some nice options. Crazy how some dealers insist on financing through them. Freedom was great. I was able to finance any way I wanted. Enjoy your new ride! I’m sure you will love it!

______________________________

 

[KennyE]

One more issue I discovered. Backing out of my MIL’s driveway. There is a slight downhill angle just before the driveway apron meets the edge of the street. Creating a slight “v”, but nothing really extreme or out of the ordinary, I don't think. 3 times now when backing out, as I’m braking to slow my transition onto the street, the rear collision avoidance braking has activated, grundging me to a stop. Im guessing due to the angle, the rear radar sensors are sensing the street itself as an obstacle im about to collide with. Anyone else had this happen?

 

[DrGrayB]

One more issue I discovered. Backing out of my MIL’s driveway. There is a slight downhill angle just before the driveway apron meets the edge of the street. Creating a slight “v”, but nothing really extreme or out of the ordinary, I don't think. 3 times now when backing out, as I’m braking to slow my transition onto the street, the rear collision avoidance braking has activated, grundging me to a stop. Im guessing due to the angle, the rear radar sensors are sensing the street itself as an obstacle im about to collide with. Anyone else had this happen?

Hasn't happened to be personally yet (I'm only at 176 miles), but if you read through the manual there are all kinds of examples where Kia points out limitations to the automatic safety features. One example: say you're coming straight towards a curve (that bends out of sight), you're still going straight but then a car in the opposite lane comes around the curve. What's going to happen? The car may briefly think you're on a collision course, even though staying in the lanes will be fine. The manual also shows examples of hills and even lane changing issues when the lane next to you is elevated higher than the lane you're in. I wonder what Kia's response would be if you ask them about your specific scenario.

 

[OKHarley]

Very nice review Clow. I took my Telly out on the highway for the first time on Sunday. About an hour or so into the drive the lower lumbar started to inflate. I thought someone was wrong until it deflated then the mid lumbar started to inflate. I forgot it had a feature to (supposedly) alleviate back fatigue when driving. I don't know that it actually helped, but it was interesting. Overall, I'm loving it so far.

 

[clow]

Very nice review Clow. I took my Telly out on the highway for the first time on Sunday. About an hour or so into the drive the lower lumbar started to inflate. I thought someone was wrong until it deflated then the mid lumbar started to inflate. I forgot it had a feature to (supposedly) alleviate back fatigue when driving. I don't know that it actually helped, but it was interesting. Overall, I'm loving it so far.

lol - that feature really surprised my wife the first time it went on! Not sure if it helps either - but it's cool! Congrats and glad you are loving it like me so far!