Switching from Mercedes GLE 350 to Telluride...any thoughts?

[YEH]

telluride is not premium.
Any car is a compromise.

Yes, you can save on gas, but you bought a car that costs almost 2 tellurides and you are thinking about how to save 50 cents per gallon. Why then did they buy such an expensive car? You had to immediately take a Kia / Hyundai and not a Mercedes.

With Prestige, it's premium, but not luxury.

 

[superk1977]

With Prestige, it's premium, but not luxury.

I guess it depends on your definition/perspective of Luxury. Having heated/cooled 1st and 2nd row seats/heated steering wheel, HUD, 360 cameras... those are Luxury to me... Meaning, I feel like I'm driving a $60K+ car...

 

[DarkMossJustin]

I guess it depends on your definition/perspective of Luxury. Having heated/cooled 1st and 2nd row seats/heated steering wheel, HUD, 360 cameras... those are Luxury to me... Meaning, I feel like I'm driving a $60K+ car...

It's a mass-market family SUV with some nice touches of luxury, especially on the interior for those of us who got the Prestige Package.

#1: Dune Brown Nappa Leather Seats. <---- I sat in my sister's Q7 and her whole family sat in my Telly's seats. They liked my car better.

#2: Dark Gray Premium Cloth Microfiber for the Headliner + A-Pillars + part of the B-Pillars <---- this makes it feel luxury to me. No step down from my 2002 Lexus LS 430 which is considered a luxury brand. I even consider the Telly an upgrade because the rich dark premium cloth microfiber headliner feels incredible. I'm not bothered by swirls or whatever because it feels like suede shoes or the material of my couch. Classy, cozy, and luxurious as far as I'm concerned.

#3: 10-Speaker Harman/Kardon Sound System: <---- best system I've heard. I had a Mark Levinson in the Lexus and yes they're all under the umbrella of Harman so they're all pretty good, but I've never had so much fun as I've had bumping the tunes in my Telly. If this Harman sounds as good or better than my "luxury" executive sedan's Harman system...

#4: The feeling of space and width in the cabin. <---- long continuous horizontal lines, right? The long horizontal section of brushed aluminum accents, the fake wood (that looks better than the real wood in my sister's Q7) and the black polymer trim all look amazing and tie the look together. Roomy cabins = luxury, no matter if you're talking planes, trains or automobiles.... or even staterooms on luxury cruise ships.

#5: Non-Nightfall Edition for most colors. <---- I get it. Blacked-out packages are all the rage and Kia was smart to offer it as an option for the top trims because the demand is strong enough to keep Telly a crazy hot mid-sized SUV of the year again. In my not-so-humble opinion, NFE looks best on Ebony Black and Gravity Gray and I guess Wolf Gray comes with it no matter what because of Kia's design decisions. But for every other color, Dark Moss, Everlasting Silver/Gray/Grey, Sangria, Black Copper, Snow White Pearl, Glacier White Pearl, doesn't the Telly look better with the aluminum/chrome accents? It's not like there's not any black trim on the car, there's plenty around the wheels, the rear pillars. It's just nice to have 3 exterior colors, breaking up the primary exterior color to really show off the Telly's amazing body lines, and good aesthetics/design/long lines = class and luxury to me.

#6: Kia Motors America rising up: The Stinger, the Telluride, the Seltos, the K5, the Forte.. impressive arsenal of cars. Cadenza and K900 are still in the catalog and look great too. <---- I personally like the current KIA badge and their older badge with the round design and the vintage K inside). Genesis GV80 might get a lot of press because of Tiger Woods going off a cliff (Too soon, I know) but he survived yet another bad drive perhaps aided by the safety features or design/construction of his South Korean "Luxury" SUV? South Korea brands are well-regarded in most of the world (Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Kia) and the Optima and Telluride lines at KMMG West Point provided American jobs for American workers in a former Georgia mill town that roared back to life because of Kia. If people want to be badge snobs, let them be. Most people are sheep and perhaps they're just jealous that they didn't get in on the action for the best mid-sized SUV of the year two years running.

Do y'all know how many people have stepped out of their "Luxury" badge snob cars and asked me about my ride?

Lots.

Sport mode for life.

Borla soon?

and

 

[Kwim]

With Prestige, it's premium, but not luxury.

No. does not depend on trimm.


PS. in my home country, for example, there is a basic gle on fabric seats. Economy class probably?

______________________________

 

[Enjoynit]

With Prestige, it's premium, but not luxury.

Thanks, good observation. As I have not yet seen the inside of one of these, this is helpful to know.

 

[Enjoynit]

It's a mass-market family SUV with some nice touches of luxury, especially on the interior for those of us who got the Prestige Package.

#1: Dune Brown Nappa Leather Seats. <---- I sat in my sister's Q7 and her whole family sat in my Telly's seats. They liked my car better.

#2: Dark Gray Premium Cloth Microfiber for the Headliner + A-Pillars + part of the B-Pillars <---- this makes it feel luxury to me. No step down from my 2002 Lexus LS 430 which is considered a luxury brand. I even consider the Telly an upgrade because the rich dark premium cloth microfiber headliner feels incredible. I'm not bothered by swirls or whatever because it feels like suede shoes or the material of my couch. Classy, cozy, and luxurious as far as I'm concerned.

#3: 10-Speaker Harman/Kardon Sound System: <---- best system I've heard. I had a Mark Levinson in the Lexus and yes they're all under the umbrella of Harman so they're all pretty good, but I've never had so much fun as I've had bumping the tunes in my Telly. If this Harman sounds as good or better than my "luxury" executive sedan's Harman system...

#4: The feeling of space and width in the cabin. <---- long continuous horizontal lines, right? The long horizontal section of brushed aluminum accents, the fake wood (that looks better than the real wood in my sister's Q7) and the black polymer trim all look amazing and tie the look together. Roomy cabins = luxury, no matter if you're talking planes, trains or automobiles.... or even staterooms on luxury cruise ships.

#5: Non-Nightfall Edition for most colors. <---- I get it. Blacked-out packages are all the rage and Kia was smart to offer it as an option for the top trims because the demand is strong enough to keep Telly a crazy hot mid-sized SUV of the year again. In my not-so-humble opinion, NFE looks best on Ebony Black and Gravity Gray and I guess Wolf Gray comes with it no matter what because of Kia's design decisions. But for every other color, Dark Moss, Everlasting Silver/Gray/Grey, Sangria, Black Copper, Snow White Pearl, Glacier White Pearl, doesn't the Telly look better with the aluminum/chrome accents? It's not like there's not any black trim on the car, there's plenty around the wheels, the rear pillars. It's just nice to have 3 exterior colors, breaking up the primary exterior color to really show off the Telly's amazing body lines, and good aesthetics/design/long lines = class and luxury to me.

#6: Kia Motors America rising up: The Stinger, the Telluride, the Seltos, the K5, the Forte.. impressive arsenal of cars. Cadenza and K900 are still in the catalog and look great too. <---- I personally like the current KIA badge and their older badge with the round design and the vintage K inside). Genesis GV80 might get a lot of press because of Tiger Woods going off a cliff (Too soon, I know) but he survived yet another bad drive perhaps aided by the safety features or design/construction of his South Korean "Luxury" SUV? South Korea brands are well-regarded in most of the world (Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Kia) and the Optima and Telluride lines at KMMG West Point provided American jobs for American workers in a former Georgia mill town that roared back to life because of Kia. If people want to be badge snobs, let them be. Most people are sheep and perhaps they're just jealous that they didn't get in on the action for the best mid-sized SUV of the year two years running.

Do y'all know how many people have stepped out of their "Luxury" badge snob cars and asked me about my ride?

Lots.

Sport mode for life.

Borla soon?

and

Thanks, good discussion points. Much appreciated.

 

[Husker Soze]

I don't care about points. I removed all the text to draw attention to the fact that the comparison is generally not fair, since over these 8 years the automotive industry has changed radically. Now any Korean fits the premium segment of that time.

My issue with this is.. the text you removed listed the fact that an 8 yr old GLK still has better handling compared to the newer Kia.

Your one sided point of the thinking that a newer vehicle is better is simply not the case on this point.

 

[Deleter]

Thanks, good discussion points. Much appreciated.

Per Consumer Reports overall score, Telluride = 97; GLE = 43. I know, scores don't matter to some consumers, but still hard to ignore.

______________________________

 

[YEH]

No. does not depend on trimm.


PS. in my home country, for example, there is a basic gle on fabric seats. Economy class probably?

Sure it does; taxi fleet spec E Classes are not luxury.

Neither are the ones with underpowered 4-bangers.

True luxury is not having to compromise on power/performance, space, interior quality/materials and amenities.

There's a reason why Audi never offered the A7 and A8 in FWD form in the US (would never pass muster) and eventually did away with the FWD A6 and A4; albeit Audi was pretty slick about it - while AWD now comes standard on the A4, it's a cheaper FWD biased system (which basically acts as FWD in normal road conditions) and not Quattro.

Think the Telluride compares well against the likes of the Japanese 3-row CUVs.

 

[superk1977]

Per Consumer Reports overall score, Telluride = 97; GLE = 43. I know, scores don't matter to some consumers, but still hard to ignore.

Aviator is score 45!?! Surprising as that was on my list...

 

[Enjoynit]

Aviator is score 45!?! Surprising as that was on my list...

Yes I get Consumer reports and noted the scores as well.

 

[LookingforTelly]

I just picked up my nightfall SXP Wolf Gray Monday (Ordered 12/12) here in Central PA no mark up and free tires for life of the vehicle.at my dealership. Let me know if you want details. Also I drove a mini van a few years ago and this is nothing like that. I looked at the MB GLE 350 and GLC 300 but decided like you I didn't want premium gas prices, expensive maintenance, higher car insurance etc. and this actually has more features (3rd row, HUD, 2nd row captains, cooled seats, etc.) then the MB's I looked at - no regrets!

What are the stipulations on the tires for life. Im wondering if I'll be getting mine from the same dealer, I was offered that. Central PA.

______________________________

 

[DarkMossJustin]

What are the stipulations on the tires for life. Im wondering if I'll be getting mine from the same dealer, I was offered that. Central PA.

Tire rotations for life? or they're going to replace the worn out Primacy Tours with brand new Michelin Primacy Tours after 50,000 miles or whatever?

What does "tires for life" entail, exactly?

It would be good to ask for clarification and something in writing from the dealership because that sounds too good to be true, OR they padded that into purchase price of your Telly somehow.

I'd make a list of some specific questions to ask the Salesperson/Sales Manager before you sign all the paperwork and accept delivery tomorrow.

 

[LookingforTelly]

Tire rotations for life? or they're going to replace the worn out Primacy Tours with brand new Michelin Primacy Tours after 50,000 miles or whatever?

What does "tires for life" entail, exactly?

It would be good to ask for clarification and something in writing from the dealership because that sounds too good to be true, OR they padded that into purchase price of your Telly somehow.

I'd make a list of some specific questions to ask the Salesperson/Sales Manager before you sign all the paperwork and accept delivery tomorrow.

Yeah! that's exactly what I'm asking to Cliv80. They said they got tires for life from a dealer in Central PA, and I'm going to be picking mine up from a dealer in Central PA tomorrow. So I'm curious what they had told Cliv80 was involved with that.

I'm cynical to begin with, so I'm convinced it's just a scam to keep you coming back in for service and up sells. A quick Google search, someone (Toyota dealer) claims they want you in for balance and alignment annually and rotation ever 7500 miles. The first part is a bit much, but I do rotate my tires every oil change, that's no biggie. And I wouldn't go to the dealership for that. Sounds like they recoup the cost in unnecessary maintenance fees. Hard pass. But I was hoping to Cliv80 could give me a heads up so I can save myself from the annoying salespitch.

I pulled the window sticker, so I'm confident in pricing. But I haven't seen the official bill of sale and finance paperwork, so I've got a list to look out for.

 

[Enjoynit]

I just picked up my nightfall SXP Wolf Gray Monday (Ordered 12/12) here in Central PA no mark up and free tires for life of the vehicle.at my dealership. Let me know if you want details. Also I drove a mini van a few years ago and this is nothing like that. I looked at the MB GLE 350 and GLC 300 but decided like you I didn't want premium gas prices, expensive maintenance, higher car insurance etc. and this actually has more features (3rd row, HUD, 2nd row captains, cooled seats, etc.) then the MB's I looked at - no regrets!

Thank you, I also live in the PA area, and the Kia dealers do not seem real excited about placing orders for one. I tried in both Lancaster and York and they told me it would be 6 months. Sounds like you got yours a lot sooner. Can I ask what dealer you worked with? I can't even find one to test drive. Also appreciate your thoughts on the Mercedes GLE, while it has a lot of bells and whistles, many features do not work right or all the time. My proximity door lock/unlock only works about half the time, even if I hold a key right up to the door. The same was true in my last Mercedes SUV. The rear trunk foot unlatch also rarely works. I have to keep swinging my foot under it about 7 times before it works. The object detection is wildly oversensitive and constantly goes off when I am not even near something. I swear when my GLE sees its shadow the alarms go off. Was backing up in a completely empty parking lot the other day, nothing around me, no trees, shrubs etc., my GLE just slammed on the brakes so hard when I was backing up for absolutely no reason. This has happened several times. Getting a bit frustrated with it and tired of taking a 1 year old car back to the dealer for this kind of nonsense. I guess any new car has its issues, but I could trade this in almost even for a Telluride and start over, getting features I do not have now like the tow hitch and heated steering wheel, second row heated and cooled seats, etc.

 

[LookingforTelly]

Thank you, I also live in the PA area, and the Kia dealers do not seem real excited about placing orders for one. I tried in both Lancaster and York and they told me it would be 6 months. Sounds like you got yours a lot sooner. Can I ask what dealer you worked with? I can't even find one to test drive. Also appreciate your thoughts on the Mercedes GLE, while it has a lot of bells and whistles, many features do not work right or all the time. My proximity door lock/unlock only works about half the time, even if I hold a key right up to the door. The same was true in my last Mercedes SUV. The rear trunk foot unlatch also rarely works. I have to keep swinging my foot under it about 7 times before it works. The object detection is wildly oversensitive and constantly goes off when I am not even near something. I swear when my GLE sees its shadow the alarms go off. Was backing up in a completely empty parking lot the other day, nothing around me, no trees, shrubs etc., my GLE just slammed on the brakes so hard when I was backing up for absolutely no reason. This has happened several times. Getting a bit frustrated with it and tired of taking a 1 year old car back to the dealer for this kind of nonsense. I guess any new car has its issues, but I could trade this in almost even for a Telluride and start over, getting features I do not have now like the tow hitch and heated steering wheel, second row heated and cooled seats, etc.

If you tried York and Lancaster, it sounds like you might be my neighbor. Check out my post here in the good dealer thread. In addition to these, I want to add Outten Kia in Hamburg as "good." In that post, I've got the dealers from Westminster to Philly covered.

Good Dealer Dealings - List Your Good Dealer Experience

Adding Sterling Kia in Bryan Texas as a great dealer in Texas! After a year and a half of trying to order and then actually purchase a Telluride for MSRP, I finally drove away with mine! I was able to order from Sterling Kia last year and drove away with my new Dark Moss EX this last weekend...

tellurideforum.org

I did have to drive to West Chester to test drive. Although, the Kia in Mechanicsburg had a trade in on the lot, he told me he'd have it available for test drives by Wednesday. Assuming it isn't already sold, give them a call. Don't trust the website, they duplicate from another dealership.

If you're willing to drive, I'd recommend reaching out to Buchanan, Abeloff, Jim Shorkey or Outten Kia. Tell them what you want and have them call you when something comes in. Outten reached out to me Monday offering trims I didnt want, but then shot me an email yesterday morning to tell me that they had a Black Copper, Nightfall, EX, AWD on the lot and ready. I am assuming that it was pre-sold and it fell through. After hearing that everything was at least a month out from all dealers, more are popping up with offers. So, if you're ready to buy, then just put it out there what you want. You'll get it.

Unless you're already set on ordering something and waiting for exactly what you want. In that case, all of the above should be willing to order. Kia of Coatesville will eagerly order one for you, maybe that's a little closer?

I'm rambling. Let me know if you have any other questions about local dealer experience.

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[Enjoynit]

Thank you for that advice. I may try Coatesville. I do want a specific color combo, and I don't want a dark interior, one of the main issues with many on the lot. They all seem to have black, dark gray, etc. which is way to hot in the summer. I also personally prefer a white, silver or light grey car. Not that the black or the moss green don't look great - but they are fairly masculine looking and I just prefer the lighter color. It has to be an SX, with prestige package and AWD. I also must have a tow hitch. I pretty much want all the bells and whistles but I do not want to pay for a rear entertainment package as I do not have young kids and $1600 for that is a waste of money for me. So the vehicle I want is $51,725, and I am thinking that to get that exact right combo I am going to need to order it. But my issue is before I plunk down over $50k, I want a test drive first. I have a Mercedes GLE (thus the reason for my starting this post in the first place.) It drives and rides like butter, so while I do not expect exactly the same from the Telluride, but I have to know how it will drive before I will order one. And just finding one to test drive that is an SX, is like, impossible.

 

[LookingforTelly]

Thank you for that advice. I may try Coatesville. I do want a specific color combo, and I don't want a dark interior, one of the main issues with many on the lot. They all seem to have black, dark gray, etc. which is way to hot in the summer. I also personally prefer a white, silver or light grey car. Not that the black or the moss green don't look great - but they are fairly masculine looking and I just prefer the lighter color. It has to be an SX, with prestige package and AWD. I also must have a tow hitch. I pretty much want all the bells and whistles but I do not want to pay for a rear entertainment package as I do not have young kids and $1600 for that is a waste of money for me. So the vehicle I want is $51,725, and I am thinking that to get that exact right combo I am going to need to order it. But my issue is before I plunk down over $50k, I want a test drive first. I have a Mercedes GLE (thus the reason for my starting this post in the first place.) It drives and rides like butter, so while I do not expect exactly the same from the Telluride, but I have to know how it will drive before I will order one. And just finding one to test drive that is an SX, is like, impossible.

I was the exact same way. I wanted to test drive one before I committed to placing a deposit or odering. York Kia has a bunch in route. Last I spoke with them on Monday 2021 Kia Telluride SX York PA 41623151 this one was not yet spoken for. So it might be arriving soon and available. But as you know, York Kia isn't keen on giving dates or really bothering with trying to get you into one.

Give Coatesville a call. I want to say the lady I talked to was Hannah but I know that's not right. I dealt with Marvin for my test Drive in West Chester. They are under the same ownership. So, if you call Coatesville, they can verify if there are any vehicles in stock to test drive at either one. Then you can work with them to make your order.

Also, just a little further east, you have Philly area, which seems like Kia on the Blvd and Cherry Hill NJ both keep some on the lots.

If you're like me and B-more is closer, reach out to the Kia in Lutherville or in Jones Kia in Bel Air. Lots of my coworkers bought from different Jones, and they like them. They're charging markup, but, you're just looking for a test drive. They will both order without markup (I'm pretty sure).

 

[DownToThis]

I was the exact same way. I wanted to test drive one before I committed to placing a deposit or odering. York Kia has a bunch in route. Last I spoke with them on Monday 2021 Kia Telluride SX York PA 41623151 this one was not yet spoken for. So it might be arriving soon and available. But as you know, York Kia isn't keen on giving dates or really bothering with trying to get you into one.

Give Coatesville a call. I want to say the lady I talked to was Hannah but I know that's not right. I dealt with Marvin for my test Drive in West Chester. They are under the same ownership. So, if you call Coatesville, they can verify if there are any vehicles in stock to test drive at either one. Then you can work with them to make your order.

Also, just a little further east, you have Philly area, which seems like Kia on the Blvd and Cherry Hill NJ both keep some on the lots.

If you're like me and B-more is closer, reach out to the Kia in Lutherville or in Jones Kia in Bel Air. Lots of my coworkers bought from different Jones, and they like them. They're charging markup, but, you're just looking for a test drive. They will both order without markup (I'm pretty sure).

I test drove at Nationwide (the dealer in lutherville you mentioned). When I drive by there for work they usually have a few on the lot. I ended up buying from Ladd-Hanford in Lebanon, PA. Awesome experience I posted about on the good dealer forum. They are low volume though.

 

[LookingforTelly]

I test drove at Nationwide (the dealer in lutherville you mentioned). When I drive by there for work they usually have a few on the lot. I ended up buying from Ladd-Hanford in Lebanon, PA. Awesome experience I posted about on the good dealer forum. They are low volume though.

I might have hit all of the dealers in the area except them. They probably didn't have anything in stock.