I spent some quality time behind the wheel of the 2024 kia telluride sx awd suv recently, and it's honestly easy to see why this thing has a trophy case that's probably bigger than my first apartment. It's one of those rare vehicles that actually lives up to the massive hype surrounding it, managing to feel like a luxury cruiser without the eye-watering price tag you'd expect from a European brand.
If you've been shopping for a three-row SUV lately, you know the market is absolutely flooded. Everyone has an entry, but Kia seems to have found a specific "sweet spot" with the SX trim. It's not the most expensive version—that'd be the SX-Prestige—but it packs in so much stuff that you really have to wonder if the extra spend for the top tier is even necessary.
That Premium Vibe Without the Premium Price
The first thing you notice about the 2024 kia telluride sx awd suv is that it just looks expensive. Kia did a minor refresh not too long ago, and for 2024, they've kept those amber daytime running lights that have become a bit of a signature on the road. It has this boxy, confident stance that reminds me more of a Land Rover than a typical family hauler.
Inside, the SX trim takes things up a notch. You're greeted by these massive dual 12.3-inch screens that curve slightly toward the driver. It's a very clean, modern setup that doesn't feel overwhelming. What I really appreciate is that Kia didn't go "all-in" on touch buttons. You still have physical knobs for volume and tuning, and actual buttons for the climate control. It sounds like a small thing, but when you're trying to change the temp while driving at 70 mph, you'll be glad you aren't menu-diving on a touchscreen.
The materials in the SX are great, too. You get leather seating (not the synthetic stuff found in lower trims), a dual-pane sunroof that lets in a ton of light, and some really nice trim pieces that look like brushed metal or wood. It feels solid. There's no "cheap plastic" creak when you lean on the center console.
How It Actually Drives on the Road
Under the hood, you're looking at a 3.8-liter V6. In a world where everyone is switching to small, turbocharged four-cylinders, there's something really refreshing about a naturally aspirated V6. It delivers 291 horsepower, which is plenty for merging onto the highway or passing a slow-moving truck on a two-lane road.
The power delivery is smooth—no waiting for a turbo to "spool up." It's paired with an eight-speed automatic that shifts exactly when you'd expect it to. It's not a sports car, obviously, but it doesn't feel like a boat either. The steering has a nice weight to it, and the suspension does a killer job of soaking up those annoying potholes that seem to multiply every winter.
The All-Wheel Drive Difference
Since we're talking about the 2024 kia telluride sx awd suv, the "AWD" part is a big deal. Kia's active on-demand all-wheel-drive system is pretty smart. Most of the time, it's sending power to the front wheels to save on gas, but the second it detects a bit of slip—or if you're accelerating hard—it kicks power to the rear.
There's also a "Snow Mode" and a locking center differential. Now, let's be real: most people aren't taking their Telluride rock crawling in Moab. But if you live somewhere with actual seasons, having that AWD lock for getting out of a snowy driveway or navigating a muddy dirt road to a campsite is a total game-changer. It gives you that extra bit of confidence when the weather turns ugly.
Living With the Three-Row Layout
If you're buying this SUV, you probably have people (or dogs) to haul. The 2024 kia telluride sx awd suv comes standard with second-row captain's chairs in the SX trim. This drops the total seating capacity to seven, but it makes the cabin feel way more spacious. Plus, it creates a "center aisle" that makes getting into the third row a lot easier for kids.
Speaking of the third row, it's actually usable. A lot of SUVs in this class have a "kids only" third row where your knees end up touching your chin. The Telluride isn't exactly a limousine back there, but a couple of adults can survive a trip to dinner without complaining.
Cargo space is also impressive. Even with the third row up, you can fit a decent amount of groceries or a couple of carry-on bags. If you fold all the seats flat, you basically have a covered pickup truck. I've seen people fit entire IKEA dressers in the back of these things without breaking a sweat.
Tech That Actually Helps
Kia's Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) comes on the SX trim, and it's honestly one of the best systems out there that isn't a full "self-driving" setup. It combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and can even help with lane changes. It's not meant to let you take a nap, but on a long four-hour road trip, it takes a lot of the fatigue out of driving.
The blind-spot view monitor is another "why doesn't everyone do this?" feature. When you flip your turn signal, a live camera feed of your blind spot pops up right in the digital instrument cluster. It's super intuitive and makes navigating heavy traffic much less stressful.
The Competition: Why Choose the Telluride?
You can't talk about the Telluride without mentioning its cousin, the Hyundai Palisade. They share a lot under the skin, but the Telluride has a more rugged, "outdoorsy" vibe compared to the Palisade's "urban luxury" look.
Then you've got the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander. Both are fantastic, reliable choices, but they often feel a bit more "minivan-adjacent" in their styling. The 2024 kia telluride sx awd suv manages to feel cooler. It's the SUV you buy because you want it, not just because it's the logical choice for a family of five.
And then there's the warranty. Kia still offers that 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. When you're dropping this much money on a vehicle, that kind of peace of mind is hard to put a price on. It's a signal that they actually trust their product to last.
A Few Minor Gripes
To be fair, no car is perfect. If I had to nitpick the 2024 kia telluride sx awd suv, I'd start with the fuel economy. It's a big, heavy V6-powered box. You're going to get around 20 miles per gallon on average. If you're coming from a hybrid, that might be a bit of a shock to the wallet at the pump.
Also, because it's so popular, finding one at a dealership without a "market adjustment" or a bunch of forced dealer add-ons can still be a bit of a challenge in some areas. But hey, that's what happens when you make a product that everyone wants.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the 2024 kia telluride sx awd suv remains the benchmark for the mid-size three-row category. It looks great, it's packed with tech that's actually easy to use, and it drives with a level of refinement that usually costs twenty thousand dollars more.
Whether you're hauling the kids to soccer practice, heading up to the mountains for a ski weekend, or just want a comfortable, stylish way to get to work, the Telluride SX checks almost every box. It's a well-rounded, thoughtful vehicle that doesn't ask you to sacrifice style for utility. Honestly, if you're in the market for a family SUV, you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't at least go for a test drive. Just be prepared—you'll probably end up wanting to take it home.