The interior of the 2021 Kia Telluride provides a comfortable and quiet ride for the whole family. Some updates to the seating at the rear help to keep everyone connected with the driver. And the driver now has more automation to help keep their focus on the road.
Overview
- An impressive collection of infotainment features that integrate the sound system with a large touch screen display.
- Charge your smart devices on the go from all areas of the cabin.
- A full 360-degree camera and radar configuration to give you more visibility and a better idea of the surrounding hazards.
- A huge choice of optional extras including a full Moon Roof and seats with climate-control.
- The best in modern upholstery material and a style that makes the interior look both modern and relaxed.
- Space for a large family and groceries.
Entertainment
As with most modern vehicles, the entertainment options are on a touch screen that sits in the middle of the dashboard. The 8-inch screen reacts to dual contact points, allowing you to pinch and zoom for navigation. And you can split the screen to double the information.
Kia’s infotainment system includes a radio for AM and FM, and satellite radio free for three months. The amplifier in the entertainment system pumps out music to six speakers. The higher-level SX configuration has a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, rather than 8 inches, and uses a Harman Kardon stereo system instead of Kia’s standard system.
Connectivity
Connecting with your passengers is just as important as connecting to the system. And the driver can choose to mute the rear speakers or use Driver Talk and the speakers to communicate with the passengers at the rear without shouting. (Note that Driver Talk is available on EX and SX trim levels).
Those sitting in the back for lengthy periods will want to use their smart devices. So, the Kia Telluride has two USB charging ports in every seat row, making a total of six. The front-seat passengers also have access to a charging pad in the center console.
Visibility
Options:
- You can also get a back-up camera with your Telluride, which will give you a top-down view and guidance on parking through the infotainment system. This type of system is essential for a car of this size if you want to keep your bumpers looking new.
- An automatic dimming rearview mirror is another optional extra you may want to consider if you are doing a lot of nighttime highway driving.
- The moon roof gives everyone a chance to get some sun, even those sitting in the third row. The roof is in two sections and tilts or slides depending on your preference.
Seats
The LX comes with soft SOFINO leatherette upholstery and the seats up to the second row have adjustable headrests. On higher trims, there is optional climate-control in the front two seats. You can heat or cool the front seat occupants through the perforations in the fabric with its internal fan. There are nine upholstery colors to choose from, though the base LX model has a black interior throughout.
The Telluride has cup holders galore, so you will not have to worry about the children spilling their drinks. The rear seats are ISOFIX ready, so you can install a modern child seat more securely. And because the rear doors are so wide, getting a child’s safety seat into the car is easy.
Options:
- You get the choice to add a third-row bench seat, which increases the capacity to seven or even eight people. (Note that bench seat luxuries aren’t available on competing vehicles.) The reclining 60/40 third-row seats fold into the floor when you don’t need them, giving you more space for luggage and other items.
- The second-row seats tilt and slide forward for easier access to the third row. And you also can have rear air-conditioning vents so you can keep the temperature consistent throughout the whole cabin.
Materials
Kia has gone for a luxurious look with the Telluride, using stylish trims and leatherette throughout the vehicle. Even the front seats have grab rails on either side of the shifter, both covered in the same leather.
Other areas, such as those around the shifter, have brush-metal fascias that keep the consoles easy to clean while keeping them tasteful. Kia has gone with hidden mood lighting to emphasize these details in the dark, while not disturbing the driver.
Safety
Many people will want to use the Kia Telluride to drop their children off at school. And Safe Exit Assist uses the car’s radar to detect vehicles approaching from the rear and warn exiting passengers. The computer will even use the SEA to lock the rear door until the coast is clear.
The stability control computers work together to supply valuable feedback to the driver. Stability control also smooths out the bumps for everyone inside, even in the third row. And on top of the regular airbags, the curtain airbags now go all the way from the front seat to the third-row.
Summary
As you would expect, with every year, Kia updates their models and gives you more toys to play with than their earlier iterations. The 2021 Kia Telluride has made the leap into the digital age with the kind of awareness software seen in cars at ten times the cost just a few years ago.
The usage of modern fabric improves both the comfort and appeal of a vehicle. Though all the materials are artificial, both the wood and leather effects are convincing and work well. And the mood lighting finishes off your nighttime driving with you feeling that you are in a limousine.
The Telluride treats the comfort of all its passengers with equal consideration. And those sitting at the back are not forgotten, which is important when you are taxiing your children around. And most important of all: You feel that you and your family are riding in a safe, well-built vehicle.
Tom Kadlec Kia of Rochester, Minnesota, has all the recent Kia models in stock and many of your favorite older models, both new and used. Contact us or visit our Kia showroom to look at some of our certified used cars and to discuss your financing options.
Images via Kia Dot Com.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.