Keeping up with all the positive media coverage can be quite the task here at Jim Butler Kia of Saint Louis, as the awards and accolades for excellence continue stacking up quickly during the first quarter! The 2024 Kia Telluride has now achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick+” rating, while the 2024 Sportage follows closely behind winning the IIHS "Top Safety Pick." Both SUVs were praised for “offering the highest level of protection for both vehicle and occupants and vulnerable road users." This winning announcement occurred after the IIHS tightened up their strengthened requirements last year.
We were very supportive of IIHS’s new measures to enhance road safety and have constantly remained dedicated to making advancements in the name of premium protection every day. The 2024 Telluride SUV continues to win drivers over with its sophisticated appearance, and spacious 3-row cabin that can accommodate up to 8 passengers. The industry’s best technological features are on board to make any long trip more efficient and entertaining, with available upgrades such as dual 12.3-inch panoramic display screens.
The Highway Driving Assist 2.0 feature combines adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lead-vehicle distance technology, and an amazing lane-centering assistance system. This offers the very useful and intuitive Level 2 semi-autonomous driving experience. The Motor Trend review team also had very high praise to offer for the Telluride post test-drive, as they loved its “smart interior packaging, excellent ride and handling, and large screens with responsive UI. Its rugged styling, segment-leading packaging, and abundant technology help it stand out in its segment.
The Telluride just underwent a major overhaul for the 2023 model year, and review professionals are happy that they aren’t messing with the well-curated formula! The Telluride definitely looks the part of an adventure-ready crossover and has amazing handling characteristics for a vehicle its size. This IIHS-noted pick for 2024 is an excellent value proposition for any shopper in need of a spacious vehicle and doesn’t sacrifice practicality or style in its execution. The 3.8-liter V6 cranks out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque and is nicely paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
During testing the Kia Telluride X-Pro accelerated to 60 mph in just 7.0 seconds, while also offering unique 18-inch wheels wrapped in very capable Continental all-terrain tires. The X-Pro offers 500 pounds more of towing capacity, along with unique badging and a sweet 110-volt charger for the cargo area. We also love the added goodies the Telluride X-line offers, with its special badging, bridge-type roof rails, 20-inch wheels, and radiator grille design that changes depending on trim selection. If the trails keep calling you in celebration of the coming of spring, it also sports a 0.4-inch lift for a total of 8.4 inches.
Five USB-C charging ports come as standard, with six available depending on your selection. The Kia Drive Wise safety suite offers many of the features responsible for this IIHS safety win. Here you enjoy the consistent protection of rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assistance, lane keeping and following assist, safe exit assist, blind spot detection, sensor-assisted rear occupant alert, driver attention warning, and Highway Driving Assist. The 2024 Kia Telluride attained an overall Motor Trend score of 8.7/10 while also snatching up a 9/10 for tech innovation, and a consumer-base-pleasing 8/10 for value.