The fuel economy of Kia Telluride matches exactly what you expected

Designed for the sprawling American lifestyle, the Kia Telluride does not use sophisticated tricks to reduce fuel consumption. With the EPA fuel economy figures for the 2020 Telluride now available, the three-row carburetor can be assured that few consumers will take their thirst as a sales pitch or compromise.

Telluride will begin arriving at Kia dealerships this spring, although the model lineup is no longer widely available before the end of the year. It has only one powertrain: the naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 from the Hyundai Motor Group, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The power rises to 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Front wheel drive is the standard configuration, with all-wheel drive available for added safety.

In the front version, the EPA estimates that the Telluride is at 20 mpg city / 26 mph / 23 mpg combined, all-wheel drive versions returning 19/24/21. Expect Telluride's Hyundai Palisade twin to post similar numbers when it comes out this summer.

In terms of fuel consumption FWD, the Telluride roughly matches its Japanese competition, although the Honda Pilot AWD is ahead of the Telluride AWD by 2 mpg in highway and 1 mpg combined with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Toyota Highlander AWD sees an identical highway and a combined advantage, although the difference is not likely to influence sales.

Given that the 2019 Ford Ranger has a combined figure of 22 mpg with its 2.3-liter / 10-speed turbo automatic combo, the upcoming Ford Explorer 2020 is not likely to detonate the Telluride. For the rest of the competition, Chevrolet's Big Traverse is behind the Telluride of 2 mpg combined in front-engine and 1 mpg in AWD. This is the case when you equip the 3.6L V6, remember. The Telluride AWD still beats the 2.0-liter FWD Traverse by 1 mpg on the combined cycle.

There is also the Volkswagen Atlas, which drags the Telluride economy. While the 3.6-liter Atlas makes 19 mpg combined in both FWD and AWD versions, the rare 2.0-liter FWD model still lags behind its competitor FWD Kia by 1 mpg. Should automakers stop putting an extra 2.0 liters in big crossovers over two tonnes?

Of course, hybrid options exist in this segment for environmentally conscious consumers (only the Highlander at the moment, but the Explorer is switching to gas-electricity by 2020) and, in this area, the Telluride does not apply. It's ICE only for the moment.

[Image: Kia Motors]

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