Joined
·
23 Posts

There was a time when hauling any load up to 5,000 lbs with a Kia required upgrading the Sorento from its base 2.4L Inline-4 to 3.3L V6. While that was an option, the rest of the Sorento made you feel left out. Now, for the same price as a base 3.3L Sorento, you can have a Telluride that achieves the same towing capacity and does it with style.
Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive Telluride configurations produce the same 5,000 lbs of towing capacity, doing it with even distribution once the lock setting is engaged in the HTRAC AWD version, making better use of that powerful 262 torque and 291 horsepower 3.8-liter V6.
For $795, a Towing Package can be added that includes a self-leveling rear suspension and tow hitch. additional equipment, like a trailer hitch. Its one way to make the most of those 5,000 lbs. Kia did a lot already, adequate low torque gets distributed smoothly thanks to an 8-speed automatic mated to the V6, drive modes control where power goes on the AWD model and active systems keep your Telluride and load under control in a range of situations. Even torque distribution should be true at higher speeds as well.
At 5,000 with all the features mentioned above to complement, its an impressive package for the segment. If you still need more, the Ford Explorer gets up to 5,600 lbs with the Durango taking top spot at up to 7,400 lbs, but even those products are as well rounded as the Telluride, which is right where it needs to be for most consumers.
If a Telluride PHEV sporting a 3.5-liter V6 like its concept comes to production, better number are possible, till then this is all we're getting.