Will 2023 Telluride have nightfall edition?

2023 Kia Telluride Review

in Avondale, AZ

2023 Kia Telluride Review | All New Kia 3-row SUV

What’s new for the Telluride 3-row SUV? This midsize crossover is only three years old, but this model year is seeing some definite 2023 Telluride changes and additions. 

With the model’s popularity, Kia engineers and designers kept tweaking it to make this large SUV even better. Updates focus on a more upscale exterior, a more tech-savvy interior, and new autonomous possibilities. There are also two new trim levels in the lineup. 

In this 2023 Kia Telluride review, we’ll look at what has changed and how it will enhance the ownership experience. 

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Exterior Colors and Updates

To update this ride, the designers were careful to preserve everything bold and sophisticated about the 3-row SUV’s appearance. There’s a revised vertical headlamp design, a new grille, and new front bumper. The rear design includes new taillamps, a new bumper, new fascia, and new trim. The sides have new sills and special lower door garnish trim.

Kia is introducing three new choices. Shoppers can now choose Midnight Lake Blue, Jungle Wood Green or Dawning Red. The personalization continues with new wheel designs for all Kia Telluride 2023 trim levels.

Interior Updates

The Telluride offers best-in-class spaciousness among those in its midsize SUV class. The cabin seats up to 8 on three rows. New 2023 interior style choices will give shoppers more to consider when they are personalizing their ride. 

For 2023, the dashboard and steering wheel are redesigned. There is a new option to get dual 12.3 inch screens. This adds a curved display to replace the gauge cluster and infotainment screen. While the two screens have different functions, the look is seamless and futuristic. 

The 2023 Kia Telluride release date is late fall 2022. It was introduced at the New York Auto Show in April 2022.

New X-Line and X-Pro Models

Replacing the Nightfall edition, the new X-Line and X-Pro are adventure models with better trailing and off-roading features. These Telluride trim levels are redesigned to allow them to go off road more readily.

Slightly higher, these models claim an extra 10 mm of ground clearance. Trim-specific 2022 Telluride changes have improved its approach and departure angles. The goal is to cruise over terrain like the desert around us. Hills, low brush, and sand are better managed with these changes.

Trailering performance is better regulated by a tow mode that includes sway control and shift logic. On the X-Pro model, the towing capacity is increased from 5,000 to 5,500 pounds.

The Telluride X Line exterior wears a new radiator grille design and bridge-type roof rails. It also has exclusive 20-inch wheels and X-line badging. Building on this, the X-Pro trims wear trim-exclusive badging. The Telluride X-Pro rolls on exclusive 18-inch black wheels with 18-inch Continental All-Terrain Tires.

Interior upgrades include exclusive color packages and X-Line or X-Pro embossing on the front seats. For more about 2023 trim levels, check out this Telluride review. You may want to come by the dealership to see the two models side by side.

Performance

Kia Telluride performance was already solid, and the main handling change was the off-roading features. The 2022 model engine carries over to the 2023 model year. 

This LAMBDA V6 is controlled by an 8 speed automatic transmission. The output is a load-moving 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.

Front-wheel drive models have Smart, Eco, Comfort and Sport drive modes. This allows the driver to alter the way the engine, transmission and other functions respond to commands. 

The SUV’s good handling is thanks in large part to the four-wheel independent suspension. Engineers tuned many mechanical aspects of this large SUV to ensure that the driver would feel confident behind the wheel.

Smarter All-Wheel Drive

Kia all-wheel drive has four or five ways to serve the driver. Many all-wheel drive systems have an either/or capability. Either all-wheel drive is on or off. The Kia electronic AWD is made to be used for regular onroad travel as well as challenges such as snow or off-roading.

The snow mode pushes 50 percent of the torque to the back as it helps the SUV get a grip. That’s an asset if you are visiting Colorado, northern California or Lake Tahoe.

An AWD lock allows power to go to all four wheels evenly. This gives the Telluride X-Line or X-Pro enough grip to take on a sandy desert road or loose gravel trail. It’s an off-roading asset that let this family ride go on adventures. 

Different driver-selected modes on the Telluride 2023 model can direct a percentage of the torque to the back wheels to accomplish better handling and driver response during regular driving.

These modes can direct 20 or 35 percent of the torque to the rear wheels. In addition, the AWD Sport mode can push 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels to make the SUV more fun to drive in good road conditions.

Favorite Parenting Features

Kia has introduced Driver Talk. Like a PA system, it allows parents to speak to kids in the second and third row. The SUV has an exclusive Quiet Mode. This removes the audio from the back two rows and focuses the sound on the front occupants. 

The Smart Power Liftgate has a new auto-close function on the 2023 Telluride. This will make the system even easier for parents to use when they are juggling the kids and lots of gear or groceries.

When the driver is exiting the Telluride, a rear occupant alert may sound to make sure that a sleeping child isn’t left behind. Kia’s system can use ultrasonic sensors to detect children or pets on the second or third row. The use of ultrasonic technology is an improvement over rear occupant alert systems on other cars. 

Most Exciting New Tech Toys

There are many new systems and features offered or standard on the 2023 Telluride. The navigation system touch screen has grown from 10.3 inches to 12.3 inches. This makes it easier than ever to see maps and other information.

One aspect of navigation is connected routing, a server-based system. The feature uses real-time information and fact-based predictions to determine the best routes. This system learns through its AI (artificial intelligence) to make the best choices for the situation.

The Kia Connect Digital Key has gotten more and more sophisticated. You can use it on your Samsung Galaxy phone, iPhone or Apple Watch. You can even share the key with family members if needed.

Growing Automation

Kia driving assistance just keeps getting better. The forward collision avoidance system is adding a Junction Turning capability. This standard feature can slow or stop the Telluride if it detects a car turning left into the path of the Telluride.

A new feature for 2023 is the maximum speed sign recognition. With Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, the vehicle settings can be altered to limit speed, if that’s the driver’s preference. Otherwise, it will alert the driver to any speed limit changes.

Other FCA refinements include junction crossing with an auto brake, oncoming-traffic lane change with steering input, and side lane change with steering input. To assist the auto brake, an Evasive Steering Assist can be added that will reduce collisions by steering the car away from dangers. This includes vehicles, pedestrians and large obstacles. 

Introduced on the 2022 Kia Telluride, a navigation-based smart cruise control sets the 2023 Kia Telluride apart from all of its rivals. This system uses its knowledge of the road to refine how it alters the vehicle’s speed. It can anticipate curves and act earlier to ensure a safe speed. This is one of those exclusive features that you’ll only find on a Kia-family product.

Standard and Available Driver Assistance

In addition to the automatic features discussed, the Telluride has a broad range of standards and available features to reduce collisions. The biggest 2022 addition was the available Blind Spot View Monitor. Stepping up from blind spot alerts, this can actually provide real-time camera footage of what’s beside this large SUV.

There’s also a standard autobrake with the forward collision warning for stopping traffic ahead and for pedestrians in the street. Lane keeping assist, a lane departure warning, and lane following assist are all standards as well. The rear cross traffic alert can be upgraded to include an avoidance assist.

Regular Smart Cruise Control is standard and includes a stop-and-go capability. The highway Driving Assist can add a lane following aspect to use on long stretches of interstate. 

Please check out our Telluride inventory and visit our dealership to do some window-shopping in person. A test drive can add a dash of fun to your week! 

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