What the 2024 Kia Telluride lineup includes

The 2024 Kia Telluride comes in five trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. Each step up adds comfort features, safety technology, and interior materials rather than changing the core vehicle. The base LX starts with standard all-wheel drive, a 3.8-liter V6 engine, and an eight-speed automatic transmission across all trims. Kia also offers a front-wheel-drive option on LX and S models if you do not need all-wheel drive.

The main differences between trims are seating materials, infotainment systems, driver information features, and exterior styling. A Telluride seats eight passengers in three rows as standard, though you can swap the middle row for captain's chairs on certain trims to seat seven. The vehicle itself does not change mechanically from LX to SX Prestige — you are choosing how much technology, comfort, and convenience you want included.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2024 Telluride offers five trims (LX, S, EX, SX, SX Prestige), all with the same 3.8-liter V6 engine and eight-speed transmission.
  • LX and S trims offer front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive options; EX and higher are all-wheel-drive only.
  • Seating configuration varies by trim, with captain's chairs available on S and higher trims as an alternative to the standard eight-passenger bench layout.
  • Higher trims add leather upholstery, panoramic sunroofs, upgraded infotainment screens, and advanced driver information systems rather than performance changes.
  • The SX Prestige includes the most technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and premium audio, but all trims use the same engine and transmission.

LX and S trims: base and mid-level options

The LX is the entry point and includes an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rearview camera, automatic headlights, and a power liftgate. It comes standard with all-wheel drive but offers front-wheel drive as a cost-saving option. The LX seats eight with cloth upholstery and does not include leather or heated seats.

The S trim adds an upgraded 10.25-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, a power driver's seat, and roof rails. It also includes Kia's SmartSense safety package as standard, which adds forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping information, and lane departure warning. Like the LX, the S offers both front-wheel and all-wheel drive and seats eight passengers by default.

Both LX and S trims use the same engine and transmission, so the choice between them comes down to whether you want the larger screen, heated seats, and safety technology included in the S. The S is typically where most buyers start if they plan to keep the vehicle long-term, because SmartSense becomes standard rather than a paid option.

EX and SX trims: comfort and technology focus

The EX trim moves to all-wheel drive only and adds leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, power liftgate with hands-free opening, and a power-adjustable third-row seat. The infotainment system remains the 10.25-inch screen, but the EX adds navigation built into the system rather than relying on phone mirroring. Heated and ventilated front seats come standard, along with a heated steering wheel.

The SX builds on the EX with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (replacing the traditional gauge cluster), a premium Harman Kardon audio system, and a surround-view camera system that shows a 360-degree view when parking or maneuvering. The SX also includes blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. Seating remains leather, and captain's chairs become available as an option to reduce capacity from eight to seven passengers.

Both EX and SX use the same V6 engine and transmission as lower trims. The jump in price reflects interior materials, screen sizes, and convenience features rather than any change to how the vehicle drives or performs.

SX Prestige: the fully equipped option

The SX Prestige is the highest trim and includes everything from the SX plus a power panoramic sunroof with a power shade, a Bose premium audio system (replacing Harman Kardon), and a head-up display that projects speed and navigation onto the windshield. It also adds adaptive cruise control, which maintains distance from the car ahead and can bring the vehicle to a stop in traffic.

The SX Prestige uses the same 3.8-liter V6 and eight-speed transmission as all other trims. The price difference from SX reflects the upgraded audio system, head-up display, and adaptive cruise control rather than engine or transmission changes. This trim is aimed at buyers who want every available comfort and convenience feature Kia offers in the Telluride lineup.

Seating configurations and passenger capacity

All 2024 Tellurides seat eight passengers as the default configuration: two in front, three in the middle row, and three in the back. The middle row uses a bench seat that folds flat to create cargo space. On S trim and higher, you can order captain's chairs for the middle row instead, which reduces capacity to seven but gives each middle-row passenger their own seat with an armrest and cup holders between them.

The third row is a true bench that fits three, though it is most comfortable for children or shorter adults on longer trips. All rows have LATCH connectors for car seats. The power-adjustable third-row seat, available on EX and higher, raises or lowers the seat to make it easier to access the cargo area behind it or to create more trunk space when the seat is folded.

Drivetrain and performance across all trims

Every 2024 Telluride uses a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox offered. Fuel economy is the same regardless of trim: the EPA rates the all-wheel-drive version at 20 miles per gallon city, 26 highway, and 22 combined. Front-wheel-drive models (available only on LX and S) achieve 21 city, 27 highway, and 23 combined.

Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds across all trims when properly equipped. The vehicle does not offer different engine options, hybrid powertrains, or performance variants. The choice of trim affects comfort, technology, and convenience but not acceleration, handling, or towing ability.

Technology and infotainment by trim level

The LX and S trims use an 8-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen respectively, both with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation is phone-based on these trims, meaning you rely on Google Maps or Apple Maps through your phone's connection. The EX adds a built-in navigation system to the 10.25-inch screen, so you do not need phone connectivity for turn-by-turn directions.

The SX introduces a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that replaces the traditional speedometer and gauges with a customizable digital display. This cluster can show navigation, audio information, and vehicle settings without looking at the center screen. The SX Prestige adds a head-up display that projects speed, navigation, and alerts onto the windshield at eye level, reducing the need to look down at the dashboard.

All trims include Kia's UVO Connect telematics system, which allows remote locking, unlocking, and engine start through a smartphone app. Higher trims add more features to this system, but the basic remote access is available on every 2024 Telluride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a 2024 Telluride with front-wheel drive on higher trims?

No. Front-wheel drive is only offered on LX and S trims. EX, SX, and SX Prestige come with all-wheel drive as standard and only option. If you want front-wheel drive, you must choose LX or S.

What is the difference between captain's chairs and the bench seat?

Captain's chairs are two individual seats with an armrest and cup holders between them, reducing total capacity from eight to seven passengers. The bench seat fits three people across and is the default on all trims. Captain's chairs are available as an option on S trim and higher.

Do all 2024 Tellurides have the same engine?

Yes. Every 2024 Telluride uses the same 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. There are no engine options or performance variants across the lineup.

What safety features come standard on each trim?

LX includes a rearview camera and automatic headlights. S and higher trims include SmartSense as standard, which adds forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping information, and lane departure warning. SX adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. SX Prestige adds adaptive cruise control.

Is the panoramic sunroof available on all trims?

No. The panoramic sunroof is standard on EX and higher trims. LX and S do not include it as an option. The SX Prestige adds a power shade to the panoramic sunroof, which lower trims do not have.