The 2022 Kia Telluride is consistently ranked one of the best SUVs you can buy, so it’s no surprise that current owners of the Telluride are pretty happy with their vehicle. Yet even though the Kia Telluride is pretty much an all-around great SUV, it isn’t perfect. While there are a few problems with the 2022 Kia Telluride, there’s one in particular that people who drive the Telluride notice. It’s one you might want to pay attention to if you’re thinking about buying this SUV.

Headlights are one of the 2022 Kia Telluride’s biggest problems

To find out what people think of the 2022 Kia Telluride, J.D. Power asked thousands of them about their new vehicle. All owners had had their Kia Telluride for at least 90 days. While there were three things that people don’t like about the Telluride, one stands out: the headlights. J.D. Power says that owners don’t like the “Effectiveness of your vehicle’s headlights.”

That’s not a surprise considering the fact that the 2022 Kia Telluride’s headlights have been a noticeable problem with this otherwise pretty great SUV. In fact, the 2022 Telluride’s headlights are the reason that it doesn’t win the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) top award, the Top Safety Pick+ award.

The Kia Telluride is an IIHS Top Safety Pick winner

Instead of winning the IIHS’ top award, the 2022 Kia Telluride is a Top Safety Pick winner. That’s the IIHS’ second-highest award, which is still pretty respectable. To be a Top Safety Pick+ winner, a vehicle has to have acceptable or good headlights standard. On the other hand, the Top Safety Pick award winners just have to have acceptable or good headlights available.

The 2022 Kia Telluride has several headlights available. Some trim levels come with acceptable headlights, though headlights on other trim levels are poor. If you’re interested in the Kia Telluride despite this, you’ll want to pay attention to which trim level you buy to make sure you get acceptable headlights.

Are headlights important?

Good headlights are so important, which many people don’t realize. In fact, there are a ton of cars that have average or poor headlights. Yet that’s a huge safety concern, and one that car shoppers should take into consideration when looking for their next SUV.

About half of deadly car accidents happen in the dark, even though most people drive during the day. To make matters worse, people are three times more likely to die in a car accident at night than they are during the day. Having great headlights can help reduce that risk as not only can you see the road in front of you more easily, but other vehicles will be able to see you more easily as well.

It’s important to not underestimate the power of headlights and their impact on safety. If you’re in the market for a new three-row SUV, the Kia Telluride may be worth considering. Just make sure you pay attention to which headlights you’ll be getting in your new SUV.