Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the road trip has made a serious comeback. Along with that was the boom of the camper industry. Since more people than ever are hauling trailers around the country, more vehicles have to be able to pull some weight. The 2023 Kia Telluride was just revealed and is getting a bit of a bump in towing capacity. 

Is the 2023 Kia Telluride good for towing? 

Today’s car buyers are more spoiled than ever before. Today, cars are expected to hit every single mark despite the segment, meaning even the three-row (semi) luxury SUVs must also be able to tow. 

Thanks to the new X-Pro trim, the 2023 Kia Telluride can now tow up to 5,500 lbs, a 500-lb increase from the other models. 500 lbs may not seem like all that much, but this extra 500 lbs can be a real game-changer for anyone towing a camper with a family. 

What is the Kia Telluride X-Pro? 

For the 2023 model year, Kia is offering two new trims for the Telluride; the X-Line and X-Pro. According to Edmunds, the X-Line is Kia’s version of the off-road packages that so many SUVs and Crossovers are now adding to their lines. Like the Subaru Wilderness trim, the X-Line and X-Pro get taller suspension and a reconfigured traction control system. 

The X-Line gives the Telluride 8.4-inches of ground clearance. This is no proper off-road ride height, but it improves approach and departure angles. The X-Line also gets special 20-inch black wheels, adding to the tough off-road look. The X-Pro gets all the same features as the X-Line but has 18-inch wheels with more aggressive tires and a 110-volt power inverter mounted in the rear of the Telluride. And, as we mentioned before, the X-Pro can tow up to 5,500 lbs. 

What else is new for the 2023 Kia Telluride? 

Aside from the new off-roading trims, the 2023 Kia Telluride also gets an updated interior. The new Telluride has an updated display set featuring two 12.3-inch screens on the instrument cluster and infotainment interface. Kia also gave the Telluride a new steering wheel and a slightly updated dash. 

According to Edmunds, Kia also included more driver-assist features like intelligent speed warning (a system that alerts the driver to changing speed limits and slows the car if necessary) standard and offering a front collision avoidance system that works at intersections, as well as dead ahead, an optional extra. 

Lastly, the 2023 Telluride gets a new grille, headlights, and taillights. Admittedly, the lighting changes are pretty subtle, but the grille update is a bit more noticeable, with the Telluride’s teeth shining in matte silver. 

How much will the 2023 Kia Telluride cost? 

Kia hasn’t released the full pricing yet, but Edmunds estimates the new Telluride will start around $37,000. Of course, the newly-added X-Line and X-Pro will come at a premium, but if you plan to do any camping, off-roading, or towing, the X-Pro is a strong option to consider.