2022 Kia Telluride

Pros: Generous passenger and cargo room; ride quality; steering feel

Cons: Large dimensions can make parking difficult; only one powertrain available

CG Says: For 2022, Kia’s plus-size midsize crossover SUV gets an updated grille-mesh design, and lower-line trim levels get additional standard features. The Telluride has 3-row seating, carrying up to eight passengers. Overall, it’s 8 inches longer than Kia’s other 3-row midsize crossover, the Sorento, and most of that extra length benefits third-row legroom.

The Telluride’s sole powertrain is a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Four trim levels are offered: LX, S, EX, and SX. All models are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Standard safety features include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, rear cross-traffic alert, rear-blind-spot-collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and a driver drowsiness monitor.

Other available features include Safe Exit Assist (which can detect a vehicle approaching from the rear and keep the child safety locks activated until the vehicle passes), head-up instrument display, automatic high beams, and Highway Driving Assist (an adaptive cruise control system that can steer, accelerate and brake the vehicle within a selected highway lane, but requires the driver to keep hands on the steering wheel).

For 2022, the LX and S models get additional standard features, including fully automatic temperature control and 10.3-inch touchscreen in place of the previous 8.0-inch touchscreen.

The Kia Telluride stacks up very well against class rivals such as the Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander. It has excellent passenger and cargo room, nicely balanced driving manners, a long list of available convenience and safety features, and an upscale look inside and out.