has long had a bona fide hit with the Telluride. The three-row SUV is spacious, elegant and packed with comfort in every trim. Not only was it a best-seller, but it was a critical success.
It has won multiple Car of the Year awards and from numerous publications. So many, in fact, you might be sick of hearing about them. And if you are, you might be happy to know that there’s a new award that the 2023 Kia Telluride was a contender to win but didn’t.
which has won high praise from consumers and critics. The updated Telluride features new wheel, grille, bumper and exterior light designs. There are also new exterior and interior color packages, along with new, larger infotainment and instrument screens.
There are now two off-road trim levels, X-Line and X-Pro, offering off-road capability in line with Subaru Wilderness and Honda TrailSport.
Despite these new offerings, the 2023 Kia Telluride doesn’t top the 2023 “Best Kia Cars and SUVs” list. In fact, it didn’t even make the top five, earning it sixth place out of thirteen entries.
TrueCar’s “Best Kia Cars & SUVs” list of 2023
TrueCar’s roster offers tough competition from Telluride. After all, the 2023 Telluride is ranked against other Kias. And in addition to the Telluride, Kia has built many other best-selling and award-winning vehicles in several categories.
The Kia Carnival, for example, is a well-regarded minivan known for its power, bold style, and affordability. (It nabbed #3 on TrueCar’s list).
Reviewers have offered considerable praise for the . They noted its attractive modern interior design, accented with premium materials that feel more refined than those found in some luxury vehicles.
TrueCar’s review further praised the comfort of Telluride. Even with interior improvements, the new Telluride hasn’t sacrificed the driver and rider comfort for which the brand has become known.
Reviewers also praised the value Telluride offers. It’s not the least expensive car in the segment. But its base trim offers more standard features than pricier rivals.
Furthermore, there have been relatively few criticisms. TrueCar noted average fuel efficiency and a shortage of space for personal items. But in the case of the former, you won’t get great fuel efficiency from any three-row SUV. And in the latter, it’s hard to get too upset about not having more small compartments in a vehicle the size of the Telluride.
All in all, these criticisms are minor. And in any other year, Telluride could have walked away with flying colors. But Kia’s top three TrueCar brands were only slightly better.
Which Kia tops TrueCar’s list?
Other than the Carnival, TrueCar ranked the Kia EV6 slightly higher than the Telluride. Fifth place went to the K5, a midsize sedan that offers generous cargo space, solid performance and eye-catching design elements.
TrueCar also praised the EV6, its number four pick, for reload speed and agility, and its rather powerful GT variant. TrueCar noted that the EV6, a relatively new EV, has already been a hit with consumers and, with a range of up to 310 miles, is a pretty competitive contender in the small electric crossover segment.
Despite the praise TrueCar has piled up EV6s, Carnival and Telluride, none of these cars finished in the top two. Instead, those honors went to the Sorento and Sportage.
The runner-up Sorento has also been redesigned for 2023, with the company adding a new exterior, increased space and hybrid options. And like the Telluride, the Sorento offers excellent fit and finish and a generous pile of tech features that come standard.
The new Sportage has seen similar improvements for 2023. But beyond the exterior changes and powertrain, the Sportage performs noticeably better than previous models. While none of the top five are vastly superior to Telluride, their new designs for 2023 were enough for TrueCar to give them an edge on .
