2023 Kia Telluride LX: Everything You Need to Know About the Entry Trim
The 2023 Kia Telluride LX makes a solid case for family SUVs not needing luxury to be useful and comfortable for everyday driving. The Telluride already has the qualities of being one of the most popular SUVs in its segment—roominess, comfortable seating for all passengers across the three rows, a strong engine as well, and a user friendly infotainment system, and offer the highest level of safety features.
That should not give the impression that the LX should be your first choice. The base trim should be seen as the practical value option of a desirable SUV, as opposed to a fully loaded budget SUV. The LX covers the essentials far better, but the family use value will degrade if the customer does not purchase various add-ons that are available.
Users will find the Telluride LX if they value seating room the most. Users will not find the Telluride LX if they want additional comforts, newer features that come with luxury, or the highest level of comfort.
What the LX Keeps
The 2023 Kia Telluride LX does not take the usual approach to an entry trim by offering the bare essentials. The Telluride LX is better equipped.
As a full-size three-row crossover that can comfortably seat up to eight passengers, the Telluride LX has plenty to offer larger families, groups, and people who consistently carry passengers or bulky items.
Most importantly, the Telluride LX has the standard 3.8 L V6 and eight-speed auto, which means buyers can enjoy the Telluride's primary powertrain without paying for higher trims. With 291 hp, this V6 is a milled, refined engine compared to the turbocharged engines currently in many three-row SUVs. The Telluride LX is not a performance oriented SUV, and its engine reflects that. Of course, engine power is not at a loss with the LX. It has more than enough power for everyday driving with confidence during passing and on the highway.
Folks in snowy areas who have unimproved roads or steep driveways should opt for AWD. Those in warm climates and drive only on improved roads should not hesitate to go with FWD. The LX is a family crossover that thrives on good tires.
Packaging is where the Telluride LX excels. The Telluride’s cabin is a great size for three rows and adult passengers. Its third row is large enough for real adult use and not just for marketing.
No other vehicle in this segment can turn the last row into first class seating for tall adults on long trips, but the Telluride’s interior stretches make it pretty good for families with growing children and for people that will definitely be using all three rows.
Basic Safety While Getting to Luxury
Kia also deserves credit for making the Telluride LX more than a basic transportation device, even if adding these features does at least partially make the case for a higher-trim purchase. The 2023 version has a robust set of features for active safety and crash avoidance built into the base model, including forward collision avoidance assistance systems, lane keeping systems, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. All of these features should be seen as safety aids, and no purchaser should ever be buying a car based on a features-list alone, because all of the safety aids are impacted by weather, road conditions, and even the design of the road, and many features can be obstructed. But, having some sort of safety features across the trims is better than none at all. A family buyer should not have to purchase a mid- to upper-level trim to obtain features like these.
Active safety features are essential, but visual appeal is also important. The larger central display with integrated navigation and an updated infotainment system on the base model helps to modernize the interior, even without the addition of the higher trims’ materials.
Smartphone integration is still something that a lot of people want, but cars that have good native navigation and big screens that aren't small do just fine for families that have multiple drivers and/or no phone connection.
Is the 2023 Kia Telluride LX really "the cheap one"? Not really. It has the bare-boned safety features and technology that a modern family SUV should have. This is stronger compared to a lot of the bare trim base models.
Where Savings Start Showing
The 2023 Kia Telluride LX has some good things going for it as far as features are concerned. It has a good starting point. However, compared to the rest of the lineup, the LX does have some omissions that are harder to ignore.
For one thing, the seating configurations do matter. The LX comes with the second-row bench seating that is actually used for seating eight unlike some families who only need seating for seven. However, most families with children would prefer to have the captain's chairs for easier access to the third row.
The bench seating configuration actually makes better sense for a family-focused vehicle, even though some captain's chair configurations instead make more sense to get.
Higher trims have better quality seats, more adjustments, and extras like heated seats. People might think LX buyers would call these luxuries, and they sort of are. A three row SUV is typically used for longer road trips as well as school runs, trips to the airport and almost daily commuting. When used daily, heated seats and upgraded climate controls cease to be luxuries.
The Telluride features convenience controls that can be power operated. These controls can include a power tailgate. A power tailgate is a convenience that most people would overlook until they are in a position where they are struggling to open a cargo area. Other conveniences may be power adjustable seating and power operated mirrors. When thinking about how a vehicle will be used, some of these features may justify going beyond the LX.
The exterior appearance of the Telluride has some trade-offs as well. The LX has a more simplistic appearance. The higher trims of the Telluride have more aesthetically appealing features. A rational buyer should be more concerned with real upgrades. Sportier looking wheels do not improve a vehicle. They may even offer a less comfortable ride. However, more aesthetically appealing trim levels will likely have better resale value compared to the LX.
The advice is always to buy the highest level trim you can afford.
Buyers looking for eight passenger seating with cloth seating, wired phone connectivity, no need for a premium audio system or cosmetic upgrades, should be satisfied with a Kia Telluride LX.
In this case, selecting the base trim may actually be the more disciplined option. A base trim that doesn't include a ton of luxury features, may be easier to keep clean, and limit the temptation to upgrade to a trim that is financed with features that will not improve the families everyday life. The Telluride LX includes everything the base trim buyers are looking for: a V6 engine, three rows of spacious passenger seating, and modern safety features.
It is actually the most basic form of bargain thinking to suggest that base is always best because it costs less. The correct comparison is not between the LX and an imaginary fully loaded luxury SUV. It is between the LX and the next trim option in the Telluride series that includes features a buyer will use on a weekly basis.
Take the third row seating and power entry for instance. A family with 3 kids may consider this to be a higher priority than the low payment. A couple that carries their grandkids may consider it an unnecessary expense. Similarly, a buyer in a cold climate will value AWD and more heated features, whereas a buyer in a warm climate may value none of these features.
The right trim is selected based on actual usage, and not dealership exclamation marks.
How the Telluride LX Stacks Up Against Other Mainstream Three-Row SUV Choices
In a sea of three-row SUVs, the 2023 Kia Telluride LX has nicely filled the niche against competition offering crossovers that promise flexibility, safety, and family-friendly features. The Telluride offers that spacious cabin, plus an old-school (but still in this day & age respectable) performance and road manner in the V6, as well as a tasteful balance of features across trim levels.
Some competition may offer more hybrid or flex-fuel options, or sharper styling, more rugged driving dynamics, or just generally more luxury amongst the competition. Those are all valid competitive advantages. More active driving may justify fuel economy as a larger selection criterion. Those with a higher personal need to tow should thoroughly evaluate towing capacity as well as needed gear and trailer setup. High annual mileage drivers and more discerning shoppers will likely determine the LX to be somewhat devoid of luxury features, too straight forward, and just dull.
Overall, the Telluride maintains a broadly cohesive formula with the V6 available across the range, and the features that compete with other manufacturers’ high-end models in safety and comfort. Supplemented with spacious seating and an attractive, non-cramped third row, for U.S. buyers, that beats the competition.
What you should check when buying a used LX, supposedly,
Given the Telluride’s configurability, buyers of used LX models should double check configuration against what is advertised in the listing, since a ‘Kia Telluride LX’ could have a wide range of configurations.
First, determine if the vehicle is front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. Look at the seating layout. If original window stickers or vehicle documents exist, review them. Dealer listings may not include all details. Two apparently similar vehicles can be very different due to optional equipment, accessory packages, and add-on items.
Look beyond the driver’s seat. Check all rows for the condition. Family SUVs may reveal their history with scuffed seat backs, damaged seat-release mechanisms, worn cargo trim, missing floor mats, and marks or damage around the rear lift gate. Verify the operation of the infotainment system, camera views, climate controls, USB ports, power windows, door locks, and any driver assistance warnings.
Tire condition is important. Four matching tires are very expensive. Buyers should look at all-wheel-drive vehicles to see if there is a consistent pattern on the tires. Be sure to examine all the vehicle maintenance, recall work, history, reports, and a PPI. A popular SUV does not mean the vehicle is trouble free.
Final Verdict: A Strong Base Trim, but Not a Default Answer
The 2023 Kia Telluride LX is a solid base trim. Buyers do not need to upgrade the Telluride to get a V6 and get a spacious and more comfortable three-row SUV with modern infotainment and safety tech.
This trim has some areas that are lacking. Buyers should be aware that there are many comfort, appearance, access, and other convenience features that can help a family SUV.
If you're a buyer who uses the third row frequently, carries cargo daily, has to deal with harsh climate conditions, or plans on keeping the SUV for a long period of time, then you should put some thought into analyzing prices of higher trims before committing to a purchase.
The rationale behind buying the base model Kia Telluride LX is that it is the most budget-friendly Telluride trim, however, it also offers the more cost-practical Telluride experience by steering away from unnecessary financing for access to higher trim features. As long as you are happy with the trim configurations of the LX, it can be a great choice. That being said, if you already envision yourself upgrading to the trim's missing features, buying the base model to save money will ultimately feel like a bad investment.