I don't disagree with the awe and shock, I'm right there with you. I think the convention is not flawed, my perception of what MSRP is has changed. The Manufacturer Suggests a Retail Price. That's literally it. They suggest it and let the free market dictate what it's really worth. If they suggest a higher price then we accept it as what they think but then the market will dictate what it really sells for.
-
Hint: Use a descriptive title for your new message
If you're looking for help and want to draw people in who can assist you, use a descriptive subject title when posting your message. In other words, "I need help with my SUV" could be about anything and can easily be overlooked by people who can help. However, "I need help with my transmission" will draw interest from people who can help with a transmission specific issue. Be as descriptive as you can. Please also post in the appropriate forum. The "Lounge" is for introducing yourself. If you need help with your leather interior, please post in the Interior section - and so on... This message can be closed by clicking the X in the top right corner. -
Unbelievable
- Thread author Pdespop
- Start date
I don't disagree with the awe and shock, I'm right there with you. I think the convention is not flawed, my perception of what MSRP is has changed. The Manufacturer Suggests a Retail Price. That's literally it. They suggest it and let the free market dictate what it's really worth. If they suggest a higher price then we accept it as what they think but then the market will dictate what it really sells for.
The 2022 Kia Telluride SX with Prestige and no towing package nor additional options and not picking an upgraded color has an MSRP of $48,445 when you add the destination fee. Bumping that to $53,445 would be a tough move considering the top dog in the category is still the Toyota Highlander. A top trim Platinum Highlander (non-hybrid) has an MSRP of $50,685 with delivery.
The buyer for an LX/S might be different from an EX/SX. Kia would have a problem trying to justify a $5,000 increase unless they did it across the board including the LX and S. They might lose potential buyers on the lower trims if they increased that price too much and if they only did it on the higher trims it would diminish the value for what you get within the Telluride options. Price it too high and people start thinking they are cheap luxury or they risk making the segment they are actually competing in look like their main competitors like Highlander and Pilot are a better deal.
I know this is a Telluride forum and opinions are heavily weighted toward it. Consider that the Telluride US sales for 2021 were up 24.74% and Kia sold 93,705 Tellurides. Now consider that Toyota Highlander sales were up 24.43% and they sold 264,128 in 2021, and that's just US sales for Toyota. (ref).
I like their approach of pricing it lower than the segment leaders and let the customers and the free market dictate what it's worth. I think Kia has more competition with the price point of the EX-P and SX-P, but there is nothing else out there that compares to what you get with for the price of an LX or S. They could probably increase the MSRP of the LX and S by $5,000. By the time you get to the SX-P they would be pushing the envelope by going more than $3,000 because there is more competition in the 7-seat large midsize SUV segment.
Last edited:
PittPa
Well-known member
Agreed on most but you are not mentioning the almost unanimous favorable ratings the Telluride has gathered compared to the vehicles mentioned. Just because they are similarly priced isn't the only factor consumers are using. Oh, and it looks so much better 
Agreed on most but you are not mentioning the almost unanimous favorable ratings the Telluride has gathered compared to the vehicles mentioned. Just because they are similarly priced isn't the only factor consumers are using. Oh, and it looks so much better
Yup, it’s not the only, but it’s a big one and often the first. The favorable MSRP pricing is one of the value differentiators that has contributed to the ratings. I agree, the look is a big factor.
Last edited:
