If you picture a classic SUV in your head – tall, square, and ready to take on a mountain road – you’re already halfway to understanding the 2020 KIA TELLURIDE. This is Kia’s biggest vehicle to date, but it’s not just about size. It’s about attitude: a family hauler that looks like it could lead an expedition, yet feels refined enough for school runs, business trips, and long interstate cruises.
Kia didn’t simply stretch a crossover and call it a day. The Telluride was imagined in America, styled in California, and assembled in Georgia for U.S. families who wanted something more rugged than a soft crossover but more civilized than an old-school truck-based SUV. The result is a three-row midsize SUV that feels properly substantial on the road, with a confident stance, smooth power, and a cabin that leans more toward “lounge” than “utility box.”
Big, Bold, and Boxy by Design
One glance at the 2020 KIA TELLURIDE and you immediately understand the design brief: presence. The long hood, upright windshield, and clean, slab-sided profile give it that old-school SUV vibe, but with modern touches that keep it from looking retro.
Key design highlights include:
- A wide, authoritative grille that anchors the front end
- Stacked headlamps that help the front look strong and planted
- A nearly vertical rear with distinctive tail lamps and a sculpted skid-plate look
- Elongated “TELLURIDE” nameplates across the hood and liftgate that make it instantly recognizable
Instead of swoopy curves and coupe-like rooflines, the Telluride embraces its boxiness – and that’s a good thing. The shape doesn’t just look tough; it also unlocks real space inside for people and cargo.
Space for Eight and Comfort to Match
Inside, the 2020 KIA TELLURIDE feels more like a premium family lounge than a basic utility vehicle. Kia’s designers clearly wanted to avoid the “plastic minivan” feel, so they focused on horizontal lines, a wide center console, and high-quality materials throughout.
Highlights of the interior experience:
- Seating for up to eight passengers, depending on configuration
- Generous legroom and headroom in all three rows, making the third row actually usable by adults for shorter trips
- Available Nappa leather upholstery with quilting and extra padding for a more luxury feel
- Thoughtful touches like grab handles integrated into the center console that quietly hint at off-pavement intentions
- Hooks and storage solutions designed to keep bags and gear off the floor
Second-row passengers can enjoy available heated and ventilated seats, plus a ceiling-mounted climate control panel and clever ceiling vents that diffuse airflow more gently. The third row reclines, which is a small detail that makes a big difference on road trips.
The overall vibe? Warm, upscale, and surprisingly refined for a mainstream badge.
Powertrain: A Strong, Confident V6
Under the hood, the 2020 KIA TELLURIDE keeps it simple: one engine, done well. Every Telluride comes with a 3.8-liter V6 gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
In real-world terms, that translates to:
- Smooth, predictable acceleration for merging and passing
- Enough grunt to confidently haul a full load of passengers and cargo
- The muscle to tow up to 5,000 pounds (when properly equipped), making it suitable for small campers, boats, or trailers
Ride and handling are dialed in for comfort and confidence rather than hardcore sportiness. A four-wheel independent suspension and a stiff, high-strength steel body structure help the Telluride feel composed in corners and stable on the highway, even when the cabin is packed.
On certain trims, an available self-leveling rear suspension can automatically adjust the rear ride height based on load. That’s a big plus for families who carry luggage, gear, or tow frequently, helping maintain stability and proper stance.
Drive Modes and All-Wheel-Drive Confidence
Kia gives the 2020 KIA TELLURIDE multiple personalities through its drive-mode system. With the twist of a dial, you can select from:
- Smart – Automatically adapts to your driving style
- Eco – Prioritizes efficiency
- Comfort – Everyday relaxed driving
- Sport – Sharper throttle and a more responsive feel
Models equipped with available active on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) get extra modes:
- Snow – Optimizes traction on low-grip surfaces
- AWD Lock – More evenly splits power between front and rear axles for conditions where you want maximum stability
The AWD system continuously monitors conditions and driver inputs, redistributing power as needed. It can push more torque to the rear wheels in sportier or slippery situations, helping the Telluride feel both planted and capable, whether you’re dealing with a muddy trail, heavy rain, or a steep gravel road.
Downhill Brake Control further adds confidence by helping manage controlled descents on steep slopes, particularly useful in mountain regions or when exploring off the beaten path.
Technology That Actually Makes Family Life Easier
As Kia’s flagship SUV, the 2020 KIA TELLURIDE is packed with tech—not just for wow factor, but to genuinely improve daily usability.
Comfort and Connectivity
Available and standard features include:
- A large 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and rear-view monitor
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration for seamless smartphone mirroring
- Available wireless smartphone charging for compatible devices
- Multiple USB ports (up to six in total, with ports in all three rows)
- Optional Harman/Kardon premium audio system with surround sound processing
Families will particularly appreciate small genius touches like:
- Driver Talk – A system that uses a built-in microphone to amplify the driver’s voice through the rear speakers, making it easier to talk to second- and third-row passengers without shouting
- Quiet Mode – Mutes or lowers audio in the rear rows so kids can sleep while front passengers continue listening to music or podcasts
- Rear Occupant Alert – Uses sensors to detect movement in the rear seats after the vehicle is locked and can trigger alerts to remind drivers to check the back seats
Kia’s UVO telematics system also enables remote-start, door lock/unlock, and, on certain trims, pre-conditioning of the cabin temperature through a smartphone app—handy in very hot or cold climates.
Advanced Safety and Driver Assistance
The 2020 KIA TELLURIDE is its safety tech. Kia loaded this SUV with a wide suite of standard and available driver-assistance systems, under the “Kia Drive Wise” umbrella.
Key technologies include:
- Forward Collision Warning and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist
- Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist – Rear
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go for more relaxed highway driving
- Available Blind Spot View Monitor, which shows a live camera feed of your blind spot in the instrument cluster
- Available Highway Driving Assist, which can help with steering, acceleration, and braking on certain highways, while recognizing and adapting to posted speed limits
There’s also an available Head-Up Display that projects key info (like speed and navigation prompts) onto the windshield so you can keep your eyes forward.
The Telluride backs this tech up with solid fundamentals: multiple airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag), stability control systems, anti-lock braking, hill-start assist, and a robust structure designed around occupant protection.
Built in America, Aimed at American Families
There’s also a story element to the 2020 KIA TELLURIDE that matters for many buyers: it’s assembled in West Point, Georgia, at Kia’s U.S. manufacturing facility. That’s the same plant that builds certain trims of the Sorento and the (previous-generation) Optima, and it reflects Kia’s commitment to the U.S. market.
The Telluride launched in four main trims—LX, S, EX, and SX—with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available. Across these trims, Kia’s strategy is clear: give shoppers a long list of standard equipment, then layer on genuine luxury and high-tech features at the top end, without straying into premium-brand pricing territory.
Related: 2020 KIA TELLURIDE – Big, Boxy, and Built for Real-World Adventure
Conclusion
If you need a three-row SUV that can:
- Comfortably carry up to eight passengers,
- Handle road trips, mountain passes, and light off-road exploring,
- Tow a moderate trailer or camper, and
- Deliver a cabin that looks and feels more expensive than its price tag suggests,
…the 2020 KIA TELLURIDE deserves a place at the top of your list.
It blends the old-school appeal of a big, boxy SUV with modern comfort, technology, and safety. It’s not a hardcore rock crawler, and it wasn’t meant to be. Instead, it lives right where most families actually drive: highways, suburbs, mountains, and muddy sports fields—doing it all with a sense of rugged style and quiet confidence.
For adventure-seeking families who still want luxury, connectivity, and peace of mind, the 2020 Kia Telluride lands in a very sweet spot.
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