2023 Kia Telluride Towing Capacity
If you're looking for an SUV with plenty of passenger space for the whole family and a large cargo area at the rear, you'll struggle to do better than the Kia Telluride. In addition to its many attractive interior features, this three-row vehicle can tow a healthy load behind it. This makes the Telluride an ideal candidate for your day-to-day city driving needs and weekend trips out of town. Our Kia experts here at Tameron Kia in D'Iberville took a closer look at the Telluride's towing abilities to let you know what to expect when you get behind the wheel.
2023 Kia Telluride Towing Capacity
The new Kia Telluride's maximum towing capacity is 5,500 pounds, which gives it a slight edge over most midsize SUVs. It's worth keeping in mind, however, that you need to choose the optional towing package to reach that upper limit. It comes standard in two of the Telluride's top trims and includes an adjusting rear suspension. You also gain a trailer hitch and wiring harness to help you attach your load more securely. Without the towing package, the Telluride can still manage to tow a substantial 5,000 pounds.
When working out how much you're towing, it's essential to take the weight of the trailer into account. Some drivers make the mistake of forgetting this, which can cause damage to the SUV. You also need to bear in mind that a Telluride with a whole load of passengers will have a more challenging time coping with a heavy load than a Kia with one or two other people. If you're not sure how much you can safely tow when carrying a full load, check out your Telluride's gross vehicle weight rating in your owner's manual.
What Can You Tow With the Telluride?
It can be tough to understand what you can tow with a vehicle when the towing capacity is only shown as a number. We've put together some examples in case you're unsure what a 5,500-pound towing limit allows you to haul. The Telluride will handle a decent-sized family camper without too much trouble. For example, a typical 23-foot-long camper weighs around 4,200 pounds, putting it well within this Kia's 5,500-pound limit.
Alternatively, the Telluride could cope with a trailer containing four horses or a 16-foot livestock trailer. However, remember that the final weight of the livestock trailer will vary depending on how many animals you're carrying in it. Smaller items, such as a boat, jet ski, or small utility trailer, are also easily hauled by this three-row SUV.
2023 Telluride Engine and Performance
A big part of the Telluride's impressive towing numbers is its powerful engine under the hood. Each Telluride is equipped with a 3.8-liter V-6 that churns out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This provides the perfect balance of power to shift this roomy SUV up to highway speeds while achieving a solid fuel economy for the vehicle class.
You can expect to get an EPA-estimated 26 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg on city roads with standard front-wheel drive. Optional all-wheel drive reduces these numbers slightly to 24 mpg and 18 mpg, respectively. Keep in mind that if you're towing something, your fuel economy is likely to be reduced slightly.
The Telluride isn't just a capable towing machine on paved roads. Thanks to its off-roading capabilities, it'll also handle a trail or two with a load at the rear. With up to 8.4 inches of ground clearance and optional all-terrain tires, you can tackle an all-season road with your camper without worrying too much.
2023 Kia Telluride Trims
The 2023 Telluride comes in 10 trims: LX, S, EX, EX X-Line, SX, SX X-Line, SX X-Pro, SX Prestige, SX Prestige X-Line, and SX Prestige X-Pro. The X-Line and X-Pro trims are great for off-roading and offer impressive capability, while the Prestige trims come with stylish and comfortable interior features like Nappa leather seat trim and ventilated and heated seats in the first two rows.
The X-Line trims come with 20-inch alloy wheels and torque vectoring all-wheel drive that will take you wherever you need to go, on or off the road. But if you want the highest possible towing capacity of 5,500 pounds, choose one of the two X-Pro trims.
Other 2023 Telluride Features
The Telluride's interior features make this an incredibly versatile vehicle. The three rows of seating provide lots of space for up to eight passengers, including adult-friendly seating in the first two rows and space for kids in the third row. While the base trim has cloth upholstery, you can add more upscale features if you jump to a higher trim. These include perks such as leather upholstery, heated front seats, and power adjustments for the front seats.
At the rear of the cabin, you get 21 cubic feet of cargo space. That should be enough to transport a large load of groceries from the store. If you need more space, you can fold down the third row to get 46 cubic feet of room for weekend excursions. With both rear rows flat, you'll benefit from an impressive 87 cubic feet of total cargo area, which should be enough for moving bulky household items.
The infotainment system includes a 12.3-inch touch screen and a six-speaker stereo. Connectivity options are provided by Bluetooth, five USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. With the standard Wi-Fi hot spot, you can stay in touch with friends, family, or work colleagues wherever your journey takes you. Optional upgrades include a 10-speaker stereo, wireless device charging, and two 120-volt power outlets.
As you can see, the Telluride can tackle most day-to-day towing tasks that a family could require. In addition, it has an attractive interior where you can relax during long or short drives. You can explore all the Telluride models we've currently got in stock by browsing current inventory of new Kias for sale. If you'd like to know more about the Telluride or arrange a test drive in D'Iberville, don't hesitate to contact us today. Our team here at Tamron Kia is standing by to help you, whether by phone, online, or in person at our dealership.