It seems like Kia Telluride rivals can’t catch a break. For years options like the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Mazda CX-9 have been trying to catch up. But they are running out of steam, and the 2023 Kia Telluride just won best SUV again.

Why is the 2023 Kia Telluride the best SUV? 

The 2023 Kia Telluride carries on the tradition of being the best SUV again. According to the U.S.News, the 2023 Telluride outranks the competition with the highest score. It earned 8.7 points out of 10. 

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade is in second place with a score of 8.6, while the Chevy Traverse and Honda Passport are tied for third with 8.3 points. The 2023 Toyota 4Runner is in last place with 7.0 points. 

U.S.News rankings represent the industry average. The scores are based on reviews provided by respected critics in the newspaper, magazines, or automotive websites. 

The vehicles’ performance, ride quality acceleration, comfort, interior, cargo space, towing capacity, fuel economy, build quality, reliability, safety features, tech, awards, and critic ratings are taken into account to assign an average rating. 

The Kia Telluride is the best SUV because it has a spacious, high-end interior, a composed ride, responsive handling, an easy-to-use infotainment system, and tons of standard features. 

One potential reason to avoid the Telluride includes its fuel economy. It gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and up to 26 mpg on the highway. 

What comes standard with the 2023 Telluride? 

The 2023 Kia Telluride LX kicks things off with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry, push-button start, simulated leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, rear-passenger automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, built-in navigation, a six-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. 

Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear-cross traffic warning, forward collision mitigation, and lane-keeping assistance. 

Each Telluride has a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. The 2023 Telluride can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. 

The Kia Telluride LX starts at $35,690 and has an impressive amount of standard features. The top-spec SX-P X-Pro model brings the price up to $52,575.

What’s new for the 2023 Telluride? 

The 2023 Kia Telluride gained a slight makeover. It has new front headlights and rear taillight designs with revised bumpers. The interior layout was tweaked and restyled to feature higher-quality materials. 

Plus, tech upgrades include larger 12.3-inch infotainment and digital gauge cluster displays. There’s a new intelligent speed warning system that reduces your speed based on changed limits, and the upgraded Highway Drive Assist system can change lanes for you. 

The new Telluride X-Line trim lifts the suspension to 8.4 inches, adds 20-inch wheels, features unique bumpers with body-colored door handles, and a roof rack. 

But your attention should be on the rugged Kia Telluride X-Pro trim that rides on 18-inch black painted wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, a 110-volt power inverter, an increased towing capacity of 5,500 lbs, and an electric fan for enhanced engine cooling. 

The Kia Telluride remains on top because the 2023 updates build upon its excellence. It’s a comfortable, spacious, and luxurious SUV with tons of value at an affordable price.