The 2022 Kia Telluride is by far one of the best midsize three-row SUVs out there, if not the best. It wins practically every award it’s up for, and it does so with a style and sensibility that makes it difficult for people to say no to. Yet there is a problem with this nearly-perfect SUV, and you might think it’s kind of a big one. With a routine handling score of just 3/5, the Kia Telluride does have a flaw. So how big of a deal is it?

Consumer Reports gives the 2022 Kia Telluride a 3/5 for routine handling

Routine handling is one of those things that you may not think about very often, but it’s kind of a big deal. Routine handling impacts how your vehicle drives and plays a role in how much you like driving it – especially if you drive a lot. So what does a mediocre score of 3/5 for routine handling mean for the 2022 Kia Telluride, and should you consider buying it anyway?

To determine the routine handling score, Consumer Reports says, “Our expert judgment reflects how agile the vehicle is on the road by the amount of body lean and steering response. Also includes turning circle, the bumper clearance needed to make a complete U-turn.”

How much is owner satisfaction impacted by the Telluride’s handling score?

Despite the 2022 Kia Telluride‘s average routine handling score, it still has a perfect owner satisfaction rating. To determine the owner satisfaction rating, Consumer Reports sends out surveys to current owners of the vehicle and combines this with their mechanical knowledge to predict how happy owners will be with the most recent model.

The 2022 Kia Telluride has the highest owner satisfaction score of any SUV in its class. 87% of people say they would buy the Telluride again. People are particularly happy with the driving experience, giving it an 87/100 and the comfort, at a 90/100. Styling gets an extremely high 94/100, probably thanks to its luxury look. Its value is just a 57/100, though this isn’t bad compared to other midsize SUVs.

How much does the Telluride cost?

The 2022 Kia Telluride price starts at $32,790. This 2022 Kia Telluride cost is for the base model, the LX. The 2022 Kia Telluride LX has a 3.8-liter V6 engine that makes 291-hp and can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The LX can also seat up to eight passengers and has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a push-button as well as remote start. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The 2022 Kia Telluride S is next up the Telluride ladder. It comes with the same font grille and black insert as the LX, but it has chrome details, and the front and rear skid plates have a premium finish. The 2022 Kia Telluride S starts at $35,290.

Overall, Consumer Reports loves the 2022 Kia Telluride. It has nearly perfect scores across the board. If you can deal with the moderate handling score, you just might love the 2022 Kia Telluride.