I have long been impressed by Kia and the craftsmanship of their vehicles. The brand has been methodical in how they focus on a vehicle segment. Kia has been developing cost-conscious compelling offerings. I am particularly impressed with their materials and build quality. My interest in Kia took me on a global journey with a visit to their Sohari factory. The Sohari factory is outside Seoul, South Korea and is home to the K900 and the Stinger. I recently had a chance to finally drive the all-new Telluride SUV. I drove the SX V6 AWD model which is a true full-size SUV. It is manufactured in Georgia and I cannot rave enough about the build quality. You notice the quality with the Nappa leather seats and the wood touches in the interior. The new UVO telematics system came with a 10” screen and was easy to navigate. It has both Apple Car Play and Android Auto integrated. It also comes with navigation and enhanced UVO link features. There are a ton of safety features that comes standard. Smart cruise control with start-stop, lane keep assist, and rear cross-traffic avoidance assist top a long list. I loved the integration of cameras into the dashboard to help you when you are making a turn. This is a feature I haven’t seen on any other vehicle. Ride quality and handling are impeccable. The 3.8 L V6 engine that makes 291 HP and 262 lb-ft of torque was more than adequate. The 8-speed transmission paired with the powertrain made for a smooth ride throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. I was able to drive my family around with the 2 captain chairs in the second row, and seating for 3 adults in the 3rd row. You get an EPA rated 24 MPG on the highway in the Telluride. The base price in the Telluride SX V6 AWD is $43,490. The model I drove added the prestige package as the only option and was delivered at a price of $46,860. Visit www.kia.com for more information
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