Kia Telluride: The Class Benchmark Third Row
One of the most genuinely usable third rows in the class, with the equipment and price advantage typical of the brand.
Written and reviewed by Nicholas Velez, Founder, Car Dogs · Updated August 29, 2026
The Telluride and its Hyundai Palisade cousin are widely regarded as the benchmark for a three-row SUV that adults can actually ride in, not just an occasional-use bench squeezed into a two-row body. For families who fill all three rows regularly, that's the whole decision — the rest is trim, drivetrain and where to buy it.
Who it actually fits
- Families who regularly carry six or seven people and need the third row to actually work, not just exist.
- Buyers cross-shopping the Hyundai Palisade, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander who want the roomiest third row in the group.
- Skip it if you rarely use the third row and mostly want easier parking — a Sorento covers that with a smaller footprint.
Telluride versus Palisade
The two are close mechanical cousins with different styling and dealer networks. Cross-shop both — the better deal on a given day, or a preferred styling direction, is a reasonable tiebreaker, since there's no meaningful mechanical advantage to either.
Living with a long Inland Empire commute
A vehicle this size is comfortable on long freeway stretches but noticeably less maneuverable in tight parking lots and older residential streets than a compact SUV. If most of your driving is solo commuting and the third row only comes out on weekends, weigh whether the daily size penalty is worth it.
Heat, towing and the Cajon Pass
A properly equipped Telluride can tow a light trailer, and summer heat plus mountain grades both add real thermal stress to the cooling system and transmission. If you plan to tow toward Big Bear or through the High Desert in summer, check for a factory tow package and ask about transmission service history — don't assume the base cooling setup was designed with sustained mountain towing in mind.
What to inspect on a used one
- Third-row and cargo-area wear, which reveals how hard family life was on the vehicle.
- Confirm the transferred warranty coverage for the specific VIN in writing.
- Tow hitch wear if used for towing, and ask what it actually pulled and how often.
- Brake and tire wear relative to mileage, especially on examples that regularly run mountain grades.
- Open recalls for the specific VIN through NHTSA.
Running costs and maintenance rhythm
Routine maintenance costs are reasonable for the class. A vehicle this size and weight goes through brakes and tires faster than a compact SUV, and that's the recurring cost to budget for rather than any single major repair — factor it into total cost of ownership, not just the purchase price.
Alternatives worth pricing
- Hyundai Palisade — nearly identical underneath, worth comparing on price and styling.
- Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot — stronger resale, generally a tighter third row.
When to walk away
Walk away from a Telluride with tow-hitch wear and no maintenance records to match — that combination often means it worked harder than the seller is letting on. A third row with torn upholstery or a sticky folding mechanism is a sign of hard family use and a fair negotiating point, not necessarily a dealbreaker.
The short version
If the third row needs to work every week, the Telluride (or its Palisade cousin) is the class benchmark. Confirm warranty transfer terms and check the third row's condition before buying used.
Common questions
- Telluride or Palisade?
- They share most of their mechanical underpinnings. The decision usually comes down to styling preference, dealer proximity and whichever one you can get a better deal on.
- Is the Telluride's third row really that much better?
- It's consistently rated among the roomiest in the class for adult passengers. Still, sit in the seating position you'd actually use before buying — comfort is personal.
- Can the Telluride tow over the Cajon Pass safely in summer?
- A properly equipped Telluride can tow within its rated capacity, but sustained heat and grade both add load to the cooling system and transmission. Confirm a factory tow package is fitted and avoid pushing near the upper towing limit on the hottest days.
- What should I check on a used Telluride before buying?
- Third-row condition and folding mechanism function, tow hitch wear against the seller's stated use, transferred warranty coverage in writing, and an NHTSA recall check for the specific VIN.
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