Page 56 - Motoring World (January 2020)

Huge cabin space is evident. A smaller vehicle is required to commute from the front row to the third. Sold separately, of course

... with Kia in
clover in India

currently, it may
as well take

some risks

Only engine option, a 3.8-litre petrol V6. A small-block as the Yanks say

features even in the entry-level LX monitor, 10-inch touchscreen,
trim, and the top-end SX that I Harman Kardon audio, leather-
clambered into was honestly about everything, heated/ventilated seats,
as top class a space as I’ve recently smart cruise control, rear cross-
seen across any category of vehicle. traffic alerts, forward-collision alert,
This is a proper 7-seat SUV, and lane-keep assist, park-distance
beginning with the front seats warning, and a whole bunch more.
(which are hugely comfortable and Refreshingly, Kia has kept things
supportive) moving to the second- simple as far as buttons and dials
row captain seats (proper business go — each one controls one feature,
class) and ending up in the third so you don’t have to put yourself
row bench (more than adequately through mental gymnastics just to
comfortable), it’s a very agreeable remember how to turn down the air-
place to spend an extended amount conditioning.
of time. The quality of materials, fit The Telluride currently comes
and finish, and overall aesthetics with just one engine option — a
were far ahead of comparable 3.8-litre direct-injection V6 petrol,
American brands (I know this with 291 bhp and 36 kgm, mated to
because I had spent a fair amount an 8-speed automatic transmission.
of time clambering into all manner You’re not going to win traffic-stop
of trucks and SUVs at the LA Auto drag races with this powerplant, but
Show prior to the visit to Kia’s it’s still more than enough to hustle
HQ), and in terms of features, the the near-two-tonne SUV from 0 to
list was huge — HUD, blind-spot 100 kph in just over 7 seconds. You

56 MOTORING WORLD | JANUARY 2020