I wish the Chrysler Aspen was still around because it would be a direct competitor to the Telluride or quite possibly a step above. but not so much in price that it would discourage people who are willing to pay Telluride prices. Getting a Durango, you will be sacrificing a bit on luxury.
Competitors Compared, Ready to Order a Telluride
I've been slowly and patiently shopping for a three row SUV since August 2017 with my wife. There hasn't been a rush obviously, but I've test driven 6 of the Telluride's competitors, compared all their features in an awesome spreadsheet, ruled out several more competitors by learning what I like, and then I rented the Stinger for a week on vacation (through Turo) and I feel pretty confident the Telluride is the one for us. The day it debuted at the fashion show I texted my car friends saying "I think I've found the one" and now with specs and pricing announced I feel even more excited about. My local dealership called me yesterday to say production on their Telluride's started in Georgia on February 15th. While Im not committed yet, I'm pretty hyped. Looking forward to seeing the first dealerships take delivery and see some reviews....weirdly I can't pick a color because they all look just as good, but we're planning to get the top trim SX Presitge, maybe with Black Copper exterior and Dune Brown Nappa Leather Interior, if it's all available.
For reference, we're an entirely VW family for many years now, and I drive a Mk7 GTI, which will be our second car. Excited to go Kia as I feel like they're somewhat groundbreaking in consumer cars nowadays.
Competitors we've driven and its "deal breaker" quality (among many factors in our spreadsheet):
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan (Third Row) SEL Premium: Too small in the third row, too small in general
2018 Ford Explorer Sport: We hate Sync3 infotainment, Slightly slower than expected for a performance variant
2018 Dodge Durango R/T: Feels bigger than it is when driving and parking, slower and heavier feeling than expected for V8hp and premium price
2015 BMW X5 50i (third row): Fast! But no Apple Carplay, No Remote Start, Small like the Tiguan.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium: Felt too spare and light on features for it's $51k price, though its the leader if the Telluride isn't right.
2019 Subaru Ascent: I can't take the CVT, was constantly annoyed while driving it.
Competitors Ruled Out:
Pilot: Too Mini Van
Highlander: Too common
Sorento: Too Round
Nissan, Hyundai, Mercedes, Chevy: Badge Repulsion
What are you shopping for against the Telluride? Have you driven one yet? Am I going to hate it? Knowing what I know now, I think I could order one and not look back, but luckily there will be plenty around and I'll be happy to test drive before I put any money down.
For reference, we're an entirely VW family for many years now, and I drive a Mk7 GTI, which will be our second car. Excited to go Kia as I feel like they're somewhat groundbreaking in consumer cars nowadays.
Competitors we've driven and its "deal breaker" quality (among many factors in our spreadsheet):
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan (Third Row) SEL Premium: Too small in the third row, too small in general
2018 Ford Explorer Sport: We hate Sync3 infotainment, Slightly slower than expected for a performance variant
2018 Dodge Durango R/T: Feels bigger than it is when driving and parking, slower and heavier feeling than expected for V8hp and premium price
2015 BMW X5 50i (third row): Fast! But no Apple Carplay, No Remote Start, Small like the Tiguan.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium: Felt too spare and light on features for it's $51k price, though its the leader if the Telluride isn't right.
2019 Subaru Ascent: I can't take the CVT, was constantly annoyed while driving it.
Competitors Ruled Out:
Pilot: Too Mini Van
Highlander: Too common
Sorento: Too Round
Nissan, Hyundai, Mercedes, Chevy: Badge Repulsion
What are you shopping for against the Telluride? Have you driven one yet? Am I going to hate it? Knowing what I know now, I think I could order one and not look back, but luckily there will be plenty around and I'll be happy to test drive before I put any money down.
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It would be tough for me to buy a Chrysler, similar to buying a Mercedes or Nissan. Just simply brand and badges I'm not excited to pay monthly to be a part of....but that Aspen was clearly ahead of its time. Great model name too...I would bet money that badge is coming back someday. The new pacifica van looks incredible for a mini van too, still - no Chrysler for me.I wish the Chrysler Aspen was still around because it would be a direct competitor to the Telluride or quite possibly a step above. but not so much in price that it would discourage people who are willing to pay Telluride prices. Getting a Durango, you will be sacrificing a bit on luxury.
FYI, my local Kia (glendale , CA) Has 3 Telly' on the lot (1 was already sold on Monday). Good looking SUV. I randomly popped in yesterday morning to pick up my old down payment and I swathe black and red one remaining on the lot. (well, out front, at least). Neither Kia nor the dealership ever email me or contacted me. Then today I get all the emails, LOL. I think i'm pulling the trigger on a black base model.
FYI, my local Kia (glendale , CA) Has 3 Telly' on the lot (1 was already sold on Monday). Good looking SUV. I randomly popped in yesterday morning to pick up my old down payment and I swathe black and red one remaining on the lot. (well, out front, at least). Neither Kia nor the dealership ever email me or contacted me. Then today I get all the emails, LOL. I think i'm pulling the trigger on a black base model.
HCB, im surprised to see you comparing the Tiguan to the Telluride, its WAY too small. I have a 2018 VW Atlas which i truly love and its (at least to me) the only vehicle in the class that I would have bought until the Telluride was released. I have the SE Tech 4Motion with the R-Line package. Its a fantastic vehicle. It is very typical VW/German in that its very sparse inside with a ton of plain flat shapes. It is extremely comfortable for long rides and handles great though.
That said, I have been watching the Telluride since its concept days and it was always something I have been waiting to drive. I will likely go today to test drive one, finally. My expectations, its likely larger and more luxurious than my Atlas, especially cause I would be looking at the SX Prestige based on the pricing I have seen locally. I am concerned that I have not seen the option of remote start on the Telluride at all which makes me reconsider trading in my Atlas.
On my wife's Sorento we added the factory remote start, but its a silly option with an extra little plastic fob on the keys which is super annoying. I am spoiled that this was a standard feature on even the mid-level Atlas I bought and its built right into the standard key fob. Hell, I had a 2015 Durango R/T with the exact same thing, and even my older Grand Cherokee had it. I am really not sure why Kia is so stubborn about obvious tech.
That said, I have been watching the Telluride since its concept days and it was always something I have been waiting to drive. I will likely go today to test drive one, finally. My expectations, its likely larger and more luxurious than my Atlas, especially cause I would be looking at the SX Prestige based on the pricing I have seen locally. I am concerned that I have not seen the option of remote start on the Telluride at all which makes me reconsider trading in my Atlas.
On my wife's Sorento we added the factory remote start, but its a silly option with an extra little plastic fob on the keys which is super annoying. I am spoiled that this was a standard feature on even the mid-level Atlas I bought and its built right into the standard key fob. Hell, I had a 2015 Durango R/T with the exact same thing, and even my older Grand Cherokee had it. I am really not sure why Kia is so stubborn about obvious tech.
Seems odd to me that the OP has 'badge repulsion' for Hyundai. Bad history with owning a Hyundai in the past, or what? Around here anyway, I'd say that both badges engender the impressions of cheapness or poor quality to people who don't know cars well, but Kia is actually viewed as worse.
The Telluride has remote start through the Uvo phone app on the EX and SX I believeHCB, im surprised to see you comparing the Tiguan to the Telluride, its WAY too small. I have a 2018 VW Atlas which i truly love and its (at least to me) the only vehicle in the class that I would have bought until the Telluride was released. I have the SE Tech 4Motion with the R-Line package. Its a fantastic vehicle. It is very typical VW/German in that its very sparse inside with a ton of plain flat shapes. It is extremely comfortable for long rides and handles great though.
That said, I have been watching the Telluride since its concept days and it was always something I have been waiting to drive. I will likely go today to test drive one, finally. My expectations, its likely larger and more luxurious than my Atlas, especially cause I would be looking at the SX Prestige based on the pricing I have seen locally. I am concerned that I have not seen the option of remote start on the Telluride at all which makes me reconsider trading in my Atlas.
On my wife's Sorento we added the factory remote start, but its a silly option with an extra little plastic fob on the keys which is super annoying. I am spoiled that this was a standard feature on even the mid-level Atlas I bought and its built right into the standard key fob. Hell, I had a 2015 Durango R/T with the exact same thing, and even my older Grand Cherokee had it. I am really not sure why Kia is so stubborn about obvious tech.
Correct.The Telluride has remote start through the Uvo phone app on the EX and SX I believe
Its on the new Kia Stinger which means lots for us to learn from those owners.
One example is the UVO walk through video below that I found
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