The Kia Telluride turns heads with its bold, boxy exterior and upscale interior. This midsize SUV has the space and versatility for family adventures, while its refined ride and high-end features like leather seats, dual sunroofs, and premium sound systems make everyday driving an absolute pleasure. With the Kia Telluride’s car-like unibody construction, can this SUV hold its own when driven off the pavement?
Is the Telluride Ready to Leave the Pavement?
While not a hardcore rock crawler designed for the toughest terrain, the Telluride does have some key capabilities for leaving the road behind. The available all-wheel drive provides enhanced traction and control on loose or slippery surfaces like dirt, gravel, or snow. With eight inches of ground clearance, the Kia Telluride has a decent ability to clear rocks, ruts, and other moderate obstacles.
This Kia SUV also comes equipped with advanced tech that increases grip by automatically braking wheels that begin to slip. With AWD, drivers have access to a lock mode that gives more control over how power is distributed to the wheels for customized performance on different surfaces.
The World Is Your Playground
While it may not be able to conquer the Rubicon Trail or other iconic off-road routes, the Telluride is very well-equipped for handling gravel roads, snow, mild to moderate trails, and general outdoor adventures. It has plenty of power from its V6 engine, lots of cargo space for gear, and higher ground clearance than a regular car. Combine these specs with comfortable, refined ride quality and upscale interior, and the Telluride makes an excellent vehicle for family camping, ski trips, fishing excursions, and more. It’s the type of crossover SUV that can go from school drop-offs and work commutes during the week to weekend getaways off the beaten path.
Get the Best of Both Worlds in a Telluride
For many drivers, the Telluride hits a sweet spot between off-road capability and on-road comfort. While more extreme rock crawling abilities would require specialized tires, four-wheel drive components, and further modifications, the Telluride balances both reasonably well for an SUV at its price point. It retains the sophistication, technology, and styling that make it a joy to drive every day while having the ground clearance, traction systems, and interior versatility for family adventures away from the pavement. This combination is part of what makes it so appealing.
Off-Roading in a Kia Telluride: The Bottom Line
The Kia Telluride delivers bold styling, a premium interior, light off-road abilities, and excellent value at an affordable price. While it can’t tackle the toughest terrain and doesn’t compete with dedicated off-roaders, it’s ready for camping, fishing, skiing, and other weekend getaways off the beaten path. For buyers wanting more extreme rock crawling capabilities, a 4×4-focused SUV like the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco is a better choice. For family adventure-seekers who do not need maximum extreme terrain abilities, the Telluride hits a great middle ground.
Stop by your local Kia dealer to explore this amazing family SUV to get an up-close look at the on-road and off-road-ready rig today.
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