2023 Kia Telluride X-Pro Takes The Family Beyond Suburbia

The wildly popular Telluride 3-row SUV has become Kia’s flagship model. 2023 models get a mid-cycle refresh with the expected nip and tuck on the nose, tail and interior. But it’s two new models that will get extra traction at the dealership- X-Line and X-Pro. Both get a rugged look that’ll be the envy of cul-de-sacs everywhere plus a smidge more off-road capability. X-Pro goes the extra mile on the forest service road with all-terrain tires and upgraded cooling for better towing. Tom Voelk teams up with Edmunds’ Brian Wong to check out the X-Pro SX-Prestige off-road just outside of San Antonio, TX. It’ll all the SUV most families will ever need. Just wish Kia would have kept the amber DRLs…
The X-Pro SX-Prestige shown is painted in $495 Midnight Lake Blue, the X-Line SX-Prestige in $495 Wolf Gray.
Thanks Brain Wong! Check him out at Edmunds.com
Kia provided transportation and accommodation for this video. Opinions remain unbiased.
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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting). But really, all you need to know is in the videos.
00:00 Intro
1:04 X-Pro Details
1:40 Added Tech
2:22 Back Seat
2:44 Powertrain
3:28 Off Roading
7:43 On Pavement Driving
8:23 Highway Driving Assist 2
8:39 Interior
10:22 Phone As Key
10:37 Interface
11:15 How Many People Fit?
11:52 Cargo
12:50 Red Light Green Light
13:53 Summary With Brian Wong
15:22 Epilogue
15:36 Buc-ee’s!
16:35 Fun Fact

[@2nd-place]

This is the perfect car for my family. I don’t need a rock crawler, I just need something that does well in snow and can do mild off-roading for camping and getting to more remote hiking trails while feeling smooth 99% of the rest of the time when hauling my family around. And it does it with style and comfort and so many features. Perfectly balanced IMO for the modern family. I was able to get an X-Pro at MSRP.

[@farcinue]

Great review, camerawork, and editing as always!

[@Lifeneverlost]

This might be the best review I have seen so far.

[@jazzjokesjalopies]

In northern New England it’s mostly about snow, not off-roading. Although November is starting off in the 60s…

[@DOCTOR_KIA]

i love my xpro

[@gregkramer5588]

Nice job Tom!

[@kenc2257]

Nice! Neat to have Brian Wong along for the ride/review. [we were in San Antonio last month--it's a neat city, some great restaurants (never got to Buc-ee's, though)]

[@melovelo3920]

Awesome review!! You're like the Rick Steves of cars, this was educating and relaxing. Thanks!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

He lives just down the road from me

[@TinLeadHammer]

@@DrivenCarReviews Has he ever invited you on a shoot? I suppose he has his own team.

[@melovelo3920]

Haha wow, what a coincidence! That road must be something special!

[@davidmontalvo9959]

Awesome video, ty for sharing

[@sig_7760]

Thanks Tom!

[@jasonnewman8372]

Great work as always. Thanks for your hard work. It is appreciated. Cheers.

[@ElijahsAba]

Great, as always. The car too. P.S. Just because one’s willing to spring for the top end of the model range, why should that necessarily ditch the middle row bench seat option? Kia is far from the lone offender.

[@jonathankleinow2073]

7:12 "Quick, someone call a Code Blue! Get the crash cart! We're losing him!"

[@kevionrogers2605]

This is good. I live in Alabama with plenty of family who live & work on dirt & gravel roads throughout the south.

[@swinglow33]

I’m surprised after this refresh the rear wiper isn’t tucked under the spoiler.

[@mrkilroy9167]

Buc-eel’s is the Super Bowl or Disney World of gas station convenience store chains! Simply awesome!!!

[@hmode2008]

please review for kia soul 2023

[@huntsw]

I hate that bench seats are saved for lower trims. I need to sit three across in the second row

[@twystedhumour]

and be able to lay your head down on it when you need to.

[@HeyyyMikeyyy]

Glad to see that Hyundai/Kia is increasing production due to popularity. With all the new current mid-cycle refreshes with the Telluride, Atlas and Explorer, I can't wait to see what the all-new Honda Pilot will deliver when it is launched this Fall/Winter.

[@kiranchaudhari]

I hate when they do not offer bench seat on top level. At least offer removal middle seat like they do in vans.

[@jody024]

Solid review as always.

[@SSS-mp8th]

For average suburban duty these are fine so for most people its a good choice. Some people live in mountains and get snow so I don't need to rock crawl but steep snow covered roads and trails? yeah.

[@agenericaccount3935]

This will never leave suburbia. Except possibly doing 20 over on the freeway pinballing off of lane keep assist while the driver applies makeup.

[@kimle01]

Yup they need to offer the bench because these are not 8 seaters! You have 8 seat belts but doesn't mean fit 8 lol. Need that bench if you have two kids. One of the parent can sit in the middle on long trip!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I assume Kia knows its customers but yeah.

[@springertube]

​​​@@DrivenCarReviews Tom, we often hear this but surprised from you (I'm a long-time subscriber- fan)...You're assuming knowledge = caring. What I called the "Corvette philosophy" for years (decades). Consumer: why don't you ever make improvements, quality, better interior (etc etc) year after year? Chevrolet: why would we make one change, spend $1 (from our margin) when we can sell every single one and have a long waiting list - just the way it is, without lifting a finger? (a near quote heard in person from a GM rep). The absence of a 2nd row bench option on upper trims is very limiting in versatility (including cargo/luggage on road trips!!) and glaring. No one wants to sit--or seat anyone else (the proverbial mother-in-law notwithstanding)--out back...oftentimes just for want of that one extra "regular" (2nd row) seat. Kia is far from the only one playing the confounding "can't get this with that" seating/trims game, but still very disappointing.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@@springertube I'm not sure what you're surprised about. For starters, GM did upgrade the C8 Vette interior. It may not be Porsche 911 quality but it's a MUCH less expensive vehicle with impressive performance. These days, I've not experienced any automaker with an attitude like the rep you speak of. All of them know they're in the fight of their corporate lives right now with electrification and Chinese waiting in the wings. As for the Kia (and other SUVs for that matter), that's not a flip answer on my part. These companies do extensive research to deliver what customers want and have to decide on production mix. They agonize over that stuff. You might want a mid-row bench, many people don't. Most of the time these vehicles are carrying 3-4 people tops. The 3rd row doesn't get used on a regular basis, it's folded for a large cargo hold.

[@XX-166]

Separate dual exhausts and the spare tire being inside the vehicles rear floor to offset theft would’ve been nice.

[@joegrahe3958]

Shopped hard for an SX-P Xline. just couldn't bring myself to paying 5k over MSRP.

[@keithjackson4985]

You do good reviews and I like this vehicle, but I'm waiting for your Z06 review? Respect your opinion.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I appreciate the respect but here's the thing, I won't have access to a track so I really can't fully test that car. Just being realistic for you.

[@keithjackson4985]

@@DrivenCarReviews I like that SUV. With the Z06, take your time.

[@claudepotvin261]

Designer mérite un 100%

[@devthemysteriousboy3179]

This kia telluride whre come in india tell me please i like very much send in india 🙏🙏🙏

[@colechapman6976]

I'm saddened Kia left out its most distinctive feature: amber headlights. I think it is what made it stand out in the first place, and to see them go is disappointing. If this SUV was driving down the road you would see them and instantly know this was a Telluride. It made it unique in a sea of bland crossovers and 7-seaters. Now it looks like all the rest, and it's not as special

[@kayemtee5312]

I need the greater towing capacity, but the captain’s chair don’t work for me; the dog isn’t comfortable on a single seat. What’s wrong with a bench seat? Also, this company has had so may quality problems (engine failures in large numbers, cars catching fire while parked, dual clutch transmission failures); how can you trust them?

[@ronniesummers1833]

Add No towing harness for the 23 telluride. According to Kia, no remedy available. Aftermarket options void warranty.

[@d.j.j.g]

One can spot Tom in the reflection on the bumper at 5:22. At 15:21 also. Fun!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Hmm, I was driving. Maybe Evil Twin?

[@d.j.j.g]

@@DrivenCarReviews And here I thought it was you! :-)

[@amanti113]

Great Suv 👍 👌 👍 Telluride

[@ronniesummers1833]

Bought a SX Pro for the extra towing capacity. BUT..there is no towing harness. Called KIA and there is no remedy available. Aftermarket options will void warranty. Dealers know about the issue but won’t tell you.

[@Druezer]

OMG. Please. No more black wheels.

[@thegraggs]

Another great review but a terrible looking refresh for Kia. Bumpers by Lego and wheel choices are ugly.

[@philipc239]

Wow want one! 👍👍👍😲❤

[@lpete531]

This off-road stuff doesn't interest me at all, maybe 2% off road attracts 20 mins of video time.

[@PresidentJackBauer]

The older one looked better. This looks too much like a Sorrento

[@TinLeadHammer]

Overengineered for a minivan. Would be very useful in a third world country, but then it would be inaccessible for most of people.

[@gregkramer5588]

Hunh? One of the most successful vehicles in North America and that s your comment? WTH? FYI Minivans at a minimum have a sliding door on the side.

[@zhiyako4032]

What do you mean “it would be useful in a third world country”?

[@agenericaccount3935]

@@zhiyako4032 In the habit of asking loaded questions?

[@TinLeadHammer]

@@zhiyako4032 Eight people travelling on bad roads to the nearest oasis.

[@zhiyako4032]

@@agenericaccount3935 I could probably ask you the same question you’ve asked me y’know. I just asked him what he meant my man, no need to take it as such.

[@TruthFLA]

Every time I see this Kia in particular it's very obvious to me they need to fire who's ever designing the cars at Hyundai and the Kia design team should just design it all they do a much better job. Genesis design team is great as well. Just not most Hyundais.

[@gregkramer5588]

I always liked the Palisade a bit more from the side. Hyundai takes more chances for sure. The Ioniq 5 is hit with it's styling, the Sonata not so much although I like that one. Tucson really grew on me.

[@TruthFLA]

@@gregkramer5588 i liked the Pallisade as well, until i saw it side by side with the Telluride then it was no comparison. With the EVs as Ioniq is deatined to be its own brand, I would say that they have different designers for the ionic vehicles then they do the traditional hyundais. At least that's what it looks like from the outside. If you look at the traditional hyundais they haven't done a whole bunch of changing. Kia on the other hand seems to make big leaps forward every design cycle

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Hyundai has some cool designs too. Sonata is a great looking sedan, Ioniq 5 has loads of personality, Staria van (that we don't get) is great. Looking forward to seeing Ioniq 6 I person.

[@TruthFLA]

@@DrivenCarReviews ionic 6 is an aquired taste that i have no plans on aquiring.

[@chuckwalla2967]

Weird seeing a Japanese guy presenting a Korean vehicle.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Or my Japanese wife that owns a Korean vehicle

[@chuckwalla2967]

Still have your Soul or something else?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@@chuckwalla2967 Still have it. It's in LA with our son at the moment.

[@ajtam05]

@@DrivenCarReviews Lol...def a global economy. :)

[@mullen25]

crap reliability wouldn't buy a kia. people seem to like their designs i'd only lease one.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Statistically, the South Korean automakers are killing it in reliability.

[@michaels7984]

We have two kias, my stinger has 76k miles, only problem was soft brake pads.

[@cvfowler1]

Vehicle reliability ratings disagree. KIA lists as having fewer issues than ALL other manufacturers.