Self-Leveling Suspension

[jw_tx21]

Better off ordering the SXP with the $795 Self Leveling Air Suspension. That's more tow worthy than just the tow hitch/self leveling suspension. The latter just fancier shocks that stiffen when loaded. Won't help rear sag. Kia does not make it clear they have two different leveling suspension products. Only can get air product on top model SXP and its $795. Other one comes w factory hitch.

And you are adding to the confusion. Telluride does not have air suspension. The $795 tow package includes a hitch and Nivromat shocks. They are not air suspension. See first part of this thread.

Self-Leveling Suspension

Does anyone have experience with the self-leveling suspension yet? Does it have benefits for those not towing but hauling lots of people? If you don't have it does the rear end sink with a lot of weight (cargo and/or passengers)?

tellurideforum.org

Only the EX and SX can get the tow package with the Nivromat shocks. The LX and S trims can get the tow hitch only from factory (around $500)

 

[jw_tx21]

There seems to be a lot of confusion on the two optional Telluride suspensions. With the tow hitch comes self leveling suspension which is just more advanced shocks that add more oil to stiffen rude with a load. It won't help rear sag towing. Only on the SX model with Prestige package can you get Self Leveling AIR SUSPENSION for $795. Shame on Kia for making it only available on the most expensive model. People who need this towiNg trailers often not rich. Wealthy stay in hotels, hellooo. It is the Air Suspension that one would want to tow eliminating need for WDH, which Kia does not endorse. And no Kia will not add air suspension at dealer but you may get it aftermarket

Don't add to the confusion, please. Telluride does not have air suspension. See post above this one.

 

[Marcinboston]

Kind of hard to adjust hitch level isn't it if when sitting rig is at different height than after rolling and it self adjusts. Do you have another car drive along side you to ensure camper is level or slightly tipped forward? You never ever want it tipped back so not sure how you can assess. Glad its working for you

 

[Marcinboston]

And you are adding to the confusion. Telluride does not have air suspension. The $795 tow package includes a hitch and Nivromat shocks. They are not air suspension. See first part of this thread.

Self-Leveling Suspension

Does anyone have experience with the self-leveling suspension yet? Does it have benefits for those not towing but hauling lots of people? If you don't have it does the rear end sink with a lot of weight (cargo and/or passengers)?

tellurideforum.org

Only the EX and SX can get the tow package with the Nivromat shocks. The LX and S trims can get the tow hitch only from factory (around $500)

The air suspension is available only on the SX Prestige package from factory as option.. A kia technician on another forum described the two different products. You are right. Kia makes it confusing

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[jw_tx21]

The air suspension is available only on the SX Prestige package from factory as option.. A kia technician on another forum described the two different products. You are right. Kia makes it confusing

Please reference the other post. I have an SX P, it does not have air suspension. It has Nivromat shocks.

 

[Marcinboston]

Please reference the other post. I have an SX P, it does not have air suspension. It has Nivromat shocks.

Please do your research. The air suspension is optional on sxp. Read up on it

2024 Kia Telluride Review, Pricing, and Specs

The Telluride offers a generous set of standard features, and its top trim delivers a premium experience that's comparable to SUVs that cost far more.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[jw_tx21]

Please do your research. The air suspension is optional on sxp. Read up on it

2024 Kia Telluride Review, Pricing, and Specs

The Telluride offers a generous set of standard features, and its top trim delivers a premium experience that's comparable to SUVs that cost far more.

www.caranddriver.com

I have read up on it, and have owned the vehicle for 9 months. Air suspension is not optional, and C&D incorrectly describes it as "air suspension". It is called self-leveling suspension which is part of the tow package. Early in the review process, many reviewers incorrectly assumed it was air suspension. It isn't. C&D should correct their article, as should the cars.com article that was posted on 2019. That's not a "Kia technician" describing it. Kia's own website describes it as self-leveling and it is an option for EX and SX trims as part of the tow package. These are Nivromat shocks. Same as in Palisade. There is currently no upgrade to the diagram on the other forum you posted about.

 

[Daddio]

Please do your research. The air suspension is optional on sxp. Read up on it

2024 Kia Telluride Review, Pricing, and Specs

The Telluride offers a generous set of standard features, and its top trim delivers a premium experience that's comparable to SUVs that cost far more.

www.caranddriver.com

Another believer in fake media.

Keep the truth flying, @jw_tx21

______________________________

 

[WhiteSX]

Please do your research. The air suspension is optional on sxp. Read up on it

2024 Kia Telluride Review, Pricing, and Specs

The Telluride offers a generous set of standard features, and its top trim delivers a premium experience that's comparable to SUVs that cost far more.

www.caranddriver.com

STOP! I too have owned an SXP model for 12 months. There never was AN OPTION FOR FACTORY AIR SUSPENSION with the Tow Pkg. If you truly did your research you would know that. As others have mentioned START by reading this thread from the beginning. The car & driver article you linked is incorrect. The original text was written before the vehicle hit the street in early 2019. The article has been updated with minor edits. But, not the reference to "Air". Some owners have added aftermarket air suspension to their vehicles. Others have added similar Nivomat shocks to their vehicles. PLEASE STOP BLOWING UP FORUM MEMBERS for not doing their research. You came here for insight based on other's experiences. Please respect it.

Enjoy the ride.

 

[2020Telly]

In an attempt to simplify and correct all the misleading press that has not been updated, for the 2020 Telluride these facts are known to be true:

From Kia’s website:

• A Kia tow option can be ordered on any of the 4 trims.
• The Kia tow option includes a hitch receiver, 4-pin flat harness, bumper fascia cover, a 2” square ball mount (but no ball), a lynchpin, a Kia branded rubber hitch cover, all the screws and tie wraps to install.
• All the parts in the Kia tow option can be ordered after vehicle purchase either by a dealer or online.
• Installing at a dealer usually requires a fee. (I installed mine as a DIY for < 2 hours of my time and patience.)
• A Kia tow package can only be delivered from the factory on either the EX or SX trims with purchase and it includes the tow option and two rear self leveling shocks and 2 springs (CORRECTED, thanks @alexdrums).
• The exact Nivomat self leveling shocks cannot be ordered separately. The rear suspension remains identical except for the self leveling shocks and springs and the front struts are unchanged.

From the Owners Manual and best practices:

• The tow option only includes a 4-pin harness that is plug and play.
• The self leveling shocks do not add to towing capacity.
• The hitch weight rating remains 500lbs* and max towing at 5,000lbs on all trims regardless of the tow package. (*Corrected by Kia as original manual list hitch weight as 351lbs.)
• If properly used with a trailer weight distribution system the self leveling shocks will require more careful setup on the WDS.
• Self leveling shocks will self settle the “rear sag” when parked to the same height as standard shocks, the leveling occurs after weight is added and you drive off for a little.

Aftermarket options today include:

• Different style and price hitch receivers from a couple different name brands most hang lower than the bumper (ex. Curt brand) while others use a hidden removable component (ex. Stealth Hitch brand).
• Either a 5 pin or 7 pin harnesses for brake controllers are available but not plug and play and will require electrical work. These are aftermarket only as Kia has no other option other than 4-pin flat harness. In all states towing a trailer with electric brakes requires a brake controller. You are only legal in every state to use just a 4-pin and no brake controller IF the trailer uses surge (non-electric) brakes.
• Pneumatic air bag systems can be purchased and installed aftermarket for true hydraulic air suspension but also includes an air compressor and electrical be installed.

Everything above is known to be true by me based on specs today, looking at my own Telluride and manual and hours of reading posts in this forum by other Owners over the past year. (At this point I trust that research more than any news article where the writer spent a day driving the Telluride and interviewed someone from Kia Product Marketing.) But on at least two occasions Kia made some option modifications to available options on the 2020 EX to include 20" wheels and captains chairs (with the new EX Premium Package) and adding to the 2020 S an 8 passenger package so they might add or change something tomorrow or in the 2021 model year.

My opinion . . .
If you are willing to wait indefinitely for the exact vehicle you want, ignore what I’m about to say. If you are waiting for an order and don’t want to wait excessively, don’t complicate it by explicitly requiring either the tow option or the tow package as it may slow down a VIN assignment. If it comes with it and you want or need the option then buy it, if you don’t want it and you pass it up, you may be trading a few hundred $s for months of waiting. That is to say, if a vehicle rolls off the assembly with everything else you want but no tow option or no tow package, a dealer offers it to you I personally would not pass it up. You could negotiate the tow option with the dealer and get it added after or go aftermarket. And that should keep you under $500 if you shop around. The self leveling shocks shocks aren’t going to change your ability to tow and you can always pay someone to install true air bags if you want or wait for the aftermarket self leveling shocks to become available and add it for a nominal fee. The tow option from the factory is a $475 MSRP add on and the tow package is a $795 MSRP add on, so Kia’s upcharge to go from standard to self leveling is $200 per shock. By comparison, Advance Auto Parts sells a KYB self leveling shock for the Sorrento for $150 per shock. I’m not suggesting it will work on the Telluride but I am suggesting that you aren’t getting a huge deal from Kia to get it from the factory. Of course if you don’t like the rear sag “issue“ that probably helps you gas mileage there are a ton of aftermarket generic air bags that can be added.

 

[mrmac]

There seems to be a lot of confusion on the two optional Telluride suspensions. With the tow hitch comes self leveling suspension which is just more advanced shocks that add more oil to stiffen rude with a load. It won't help rear sag towing. Only on the SX model with Prestige package can you get Self Leveling AIR SUSPENSION for $795. Shame on Kia for making it only available on the most expensive model. People who need this towiNg trailers often not rich. Wealthy stay in hotels, hellooo. It is the Air Suspension that one would want to tow eliminating need for WDH, which Kia does not endorse. And no Kia will not add air suspension at dealer but you may get it aftermarket

NO TELLURIDE HAS air suspension, PERIOD.

The $795.00 option is for SELF-LEVELING SHOCKS as part of a tow package.

 

[Tellthemride]

Forum has been triggered. Haha.

It is true though, i’ve read so many published reviews and watched so many video reviews of this car and was surprised to see how many reviewers got some facts wrong. It’s hard to know just if you rely on one source, but when you’ve seen them all, you can eventually spot the inaccurate reviews. Especially if it isn’t mentioned anywhere on Kia’s website or owner’s manual.

some reviewers have claimed “real wood trim, having to manually pull and fold 2nd row chairs to access third row” and other erroneous things I can’t think of at the moment.

______________________________

 

[Familyman20]

Forum has been triggered. Haha.

It is true though, i’ve read so many published reviews and watched so many video reviews of this car and was surprised to see how many reviewers got some facts wrong. It’s hard to know just if you rely on one source, but when you’ve seen them all, you can eventually spot the inaccurate reviews. Especially if it isn’t mentioned anywhere on Kia’s website or owner’s manual.

some reviewers have claimed “real wood trim, having to manually pull and fold 2nd row chairs to access third row” and other erroneous things I can’t think of at the moment.

What, you didn't know that the compressor for the suspension is easily accessed behind the front dash mahogany wood trim panel?

Please direct me to your nearest safe space

 

[Marcinboston]

NO TELLURIDE HAS air suspension, PERIOD.

The $795.00 option is for SELF-LEVELING SHOCKS as part of a tow package.

Another expert car review discussing the optional SX air suspension. Hmm, believe bloggers or expert car analysts. Guess I'll hsve to find a window sticker to prove to you deniers. Not many dealers order them in this way. Kia literature has always been a bit vague. This fact was corroborated by a kia technician on my rpod rv forum. At the dealership they put 2 models side by side to figure out the difference between the two self leveling oprions; one air other just upgraded shocks. Why would he lie and bigger question why would you argue with multiple auto review magazines?

 

[Marcinboston]

Another expert car review discussing the optional SX air suspension. Hmm, believe bloggers or expert car analysts. Guess I'll hsve to find a window sticker to prove to you deniers. Not many dealers order them in this way. Kia literature has always been a bit vague. This fact was corroborated by a kia technician on my rpod rv forum. At the dealership they put 2 models side by side to figure out the difference between the two self leveling oprions; one air other just upgraded shocks. Why would he lie and bigger question why would you argue with multiple auto review magazines?

2020 Kia Telluride: Big package, tight-and-tighty ride

One of the latest entrants in the growing three-row crossover segment is the 2020 Kia Telluride. It is Kia's first three-row entry in the crossover/SUV segment since the short-lived Borrego. The Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter GDI V-6 engine that generates 291 hp and 262 pound-feet of...

www.autonews.com

 

[Marcinboston]

2020 Kia Telluride: Big package, tight-and-tighty ride

One of the latest entrants in the growing three-row crossover segment is the 2020 Kia Telluride. It is Kia's first three-row entry in the crossover/SUV segment since the short-lived Borrego. The Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter GDI V-6 engine that generates 291 hp and 262 pound-feet of...

www.autonews.com

______________________________

 

[Marcinboston]

2020 Kia Telluride: Big package, tight-and-tighty ride

One of the latest entrants in the growing three-row crossover segment is the 2020 Kia Telluride. It is Kia's first three-row entry in the crossover/SUV segment since the short-lived Borrego. The Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter GDI V-6 engine that generates 291 hp and 262 pound-feet of...

www.autonews.com

https://www.cars.com/articles/2020-kia-telluride-first-drive-rollin-in-the-rockies-1420757630099/

 

[Marcinboston]

https://www.cars.com/articles/2020-kia-telluride-first-drive-rollin-in-the-rockies-1420757630099/

 

[Marcinboston]

https://www.cars.com/articles/2020-kia-telluride-first-drive-rollin-in-the-rockies-1420757630099/

 

[jw_tx21]

Another expert car review discussing the optional SX air suspension. Hmm, believe bloggers or expert car analysts. Guess I'll hsve to find a window sticker to prove to you deniers. Not many dealers order them in this way. Kia literature has always been a bit vague. This fact was corroborated by a kia technician on my rpod rv forum. At the dealership they put 2 models side by side to figure out the difference between the two self leveling oprions; one air other just upgraded shocks. Why would he lie and bigger question why would you argue with multiple auto review magazines?

We're not deniers, we're owners. You can read whatever blog you want, we'll enjoy driving our vehicles and knowing what we have. I consider myself an expert after owning it for 9 months and researching it a year before that. We've all read the window stickers. We have them.

I can't argue with a Bostonite, but someone else will.