If you’ve been watching the three-row SUV market over the last few years, you already know the Kia Telluride is no longer the “underdog” — it’s the benchmark. For 2024, Kia doesn’t reinvent the formula, but it quietly sharpens it. The result is a family SUV that looks a bit tougher, feels a bit more premium, and still delivers a lot of value even with a modest price increase.
This 2024 Telluride overview walks through the pricing, trims, engine, fuel economy, and driver-assistance tech so you can decide whether this big Kia still belongs on your shortlist.
Modest Price Bump, Same Strong Value
Kia has confirmed that the Telluride sees roughly a $100 price increase for the 2024 model year. In a segment where some rivals jump hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars year over year, this is a relatively gentle adjustment.
Here’s how the MSRP lineup looks for 2024 (excluding the $1,395 destination fee, taxes, title, and dealer charges):
- LX
- LX FWD: $36,190
- LX AWD: $38,190
- S
- S FWD: $38,090
- S AWD: $40,090
- EX
- EX FWD: $41,790
- EX AWD: $43,790
- EX X-Line AWD: $46,085
- SX
- SX FWD: $45,990
- SX AWD: $47,990
- SX AWD X-Line: $49,485
- SX AWD X-Pro: $50,485
- SX-Prestige
- SX-Prestige AWD: $50,890
- SX-Prestige AWD X-Line: $52,385
- SX-Prestige AWD X-Pro: $53,385
For a three-row SUV with real adult-sized space in all three rows, generous standard equipment, and a long warranty, these numbers keep the Telluride very competitive versus Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander, and others.
2024 Design Updates: Subtle but Meaningful
At first glance, the 2024 Telluride looks very familiar — and that’s intentional. Kia knows this SUV is already a style icon in the segment, so the brand has gone with an “if it isn’t broken, refine it” approach.
Key visual updates include:
- New amber daytime running lights across the 2024 Telluride lineup, adding a more premium and rugged signature when viewed head-on.
- On the X-Line and X-Pro models, black gloss exterior trim replaces the previous dark metallic accents on:
- Bumpers
- Lower door garnish
- Grille surround
- Headlight bezels
The result is a slightly more aggressive, outdoors-ready look without turning the Telluride into something cartoonishly off-road. If you liked the previous design, you’ll see this as an evolution rather than a dramatic redesign.
Powertrain: Proven V6, No Gimmicks
Under the hood, the 2024 Kia Telluride sticks with the tried-and-true 3.8-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 (Lambda II) paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
- Horsepower: 291 hp
- Torque: 262 lb-ft
There’s no turbocharging or hybrid trickery here — just a naturally aspirated V6 that delivers smooth, predictable power. For a lot of buyers, this is a plus: fewer moving parts, familiar driving feel, and plenty of power for highway merging, road trips, and fully loaded family duty.
Fuel Economy: Respectable for a Big Three-Row SUV
Given its size and standard V6, the Telluride’s fuel economy is solid for the segment:
- Front-Wheel Drive (FWD):
- 20 mpg city
- 26 mpg highway
- 22 mpg combined
- All-Wheel Drive (AWD):
- 18 mpg city
- 24 mpg highway
- 20 mpg combined
Real-world mileage will vary with driving style, climate, terrain, and how often you’re hauling kids, cargo, or trailers. But in general, these numbers place the Telluride right in the mix with its main competitors.
2024 Telluride Overview: Trim Walk and Buyer Profiles
One of the reasons the Telluride works so well for U.S. buyers is that each trim level feels thoughtfully targeted.
- LX / S
Ideal for families who want a strong feature set and advanced safety tech without creeping too far into luxury pricing. You still get the full-size cabin, nice materials, and a long list of standard driver-assistance features. - EX / EX X-Line
This is the “sweet spot” for many buyers. The EX adds more comfort and convenience features, while EX X-Line layers on rugged styling and capability enhancements, making it more appealing for light adventurers and those who want the tougher look. - SX / SX X-Line / SX X-Pro
These trims start to feel properly premium: more tech, more cameras, more comfort features. The X-Pro variant leans further toward capability with enhancements aimed at buyers who actually use their SUV for towing, camping, and mild off-road duty. - SX-Prestige, SX-Prestige X-Line, SX-Prestige X-Pro
At the top, the Telluride becomes genuinely luxurious. These trims target buyers who want near-luxury features without paying a German luxury badge premium. If you’re cross-shopping Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, or entry-level BMW X5s, this is where you’ll likely land.
Safety and Driver Assistance: Loaded Across the Board
One of the strongest aspects of the 2024 Telluride overview is how much advanced driver-assistance technology comes standard, even on the lower trims. While no system replaces an attentive driver, Kia clearly leans into safety and convenience.
Highlighted tech includes:
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) – Standard on all trims, helping monitor vehicles you can’t easily see in your mirrors.
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with:
- Pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Junction turning support
- On SX and above, additional features like junction crossing, lane-change oncoming/side support, and evasive steering assist add layers of protection in complex traffic situations.
- Highway Driving Assist (HDA/HDA 2) –
- HDA standard on LX, S, EX, and EX X-Line
- HDA 2 standard on SX and above
These systems help with lane centering and distance control on compatible highways.
- Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) – Standard across the lineup for gentle steering inputs to help keep you in your lane.
- Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC-C) – Standard on all trims, adjusting speed in anticipation of curves when activated.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) – Standard on all trims, a huge help in busy parking lots.
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go – Standard, making traffic jams less stressful.
- Surround View Monitor (SVM) and Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) – Standard on SX and above, giving you a 360-degree view and side-camera feeds in the gauge cluster when signaling.
This tech suite helps Kia position Telluride as a thoroughly modern family SUV that doesn’t treat safety as an optional luxury.
Of course, all these systems are assistance tools, not autopilot. Drivers still need to remain engaged, monitor surroundings, and use common sense.
Kia America Context: Brand Confidence and U.S. Presence
It’s also worth remembering the broader context. Kia America, headquartered in Irvine, California, has been consistently performing well in quality and brand-perception surveys. The brand is regularly listed among major global companies by brand value and continues to improve its reputation in the U.S. market.
Several Kia models — including the Telluride (excluding hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants), along with K5, Sportage, and Sorento — are assembled in the U.S. from a mix of domestic and globally sourced parts. For some buyers, that domestic assembly, plus the long Kia warranty, adds an extra layer of confidence.
Is the 2024 Telluride Still Worth It?
If you’re comparing this 2024 Telluride overview with what’s happening in the rest of the segment, a few key takeaways stand out:
- The price increase is modest and not out of step with inflation or segment norms.
- You still get a strong standard feature set, even at the lower trims.
- The V6 engine remains a reliable, proven choice with enough power for real-world family use.
- Fuel economy is competitive for a three-row V6 SUV.
- Safety and driver-assistance tech are comprehensive and thoughtfully tiered across trims.
- Mild exterior updates keep the look fresh and a bit more rugged, especially on X-Line and X-Pro models.
Related: 2023 Telluride Overview: X-Line and X-Pro Trims Bring More Adventure, Tech, and Rugged Confidence
If you want a three-row SUV that feels upscale without paying luxury-brand prices, the 2024 Kia Telluride continues to be one of the most well-rounded options in the market. The combination of design, practicality, safety, and value explains why it’s still one of the most talked-about family SUVs on U.S. roads today.
If you share your target buyer persona (big family, road-trip focused, towing, or mostly city driving), I can help you pick the best 2024 Telluride trim and craft a comparison section for your article on KiaFinance.net.
