Sponsored The Kia Telluride Opens the Door for Adventure

Brad and Ashley of Ideal Media are adventurers at heart. The digital nomad couple enjoys overlanding to remote locations, carving up canyons in sports cars, shredding snow-covered slopes on skis and snowboards, hiking and snowshoeing trails leading to majestic mountains, and camping everywhere in-between. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Brad and Ashley don’t shy away from unique adventures or changing things up on the fly. That’s what makes them happy and healthy people.

But in order to live this kind of lifestyle, Brad and Ashley can’t just own any old SUV. Most are too small or not capable enough. They need a vehicle that’s as versatile as they are. Something that supports their lifestyle choices. The Kia Telluride offers the versatility and prowess they need to live an unconventional and fulfilling life.

Versatility, Space and All-Around Driving Enjoyment Are Key Factors

With such varied and unique interests, Brad and Ashley note that to fit their needs, an SUV has to be versatile and large enough to enable them to carry not only the gear needed for their outdoor activities, but also bring a few friends along for the journey.

“Having a bigger vehicle where you have more storage and more room, and then being able to bring the friends and comfortably, warmly ride home is fantastic,” Ashley said. The number of compromises you end up making are far fewer. Ashley noted that she and Brad have made trips with friends in other vehicles, and while it’s OK, having enough space to do it comfortably is key.

The Telluride offers seating for up to eight occupants, so there’s plenty of room for both Brad and Ashley, plus some friends. Also, you get 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 46 cubic feet with that third row folded, so if you have four people in the vehicle, you’re not worried about running out of space for gear. Then adding a roof rack is easy, meaning you can easily carry everything from skis or snowboards to a kayak or paddleboard.

Brad agreed with Ashley, but he also said having a vehicle that’s enjoyable to drive is a huge thing. “Something that’s fun to drive that doesn’t drive like a huge vehicle but then can fit five or seven people is really awesome,” Brad said. “You have one tool that does it all.”

The Kia Telluride is that vehicle. With a 3.8-liter V6 engine making 291 horsepower and 262 pounds-feet of torque, you have an SUV that moves when it’s asked to. Pair that with good steering and handling and all-wheel drive, and you have the makings of a fun-to-drive SUV.

Also, the Telluride offers a 5,000-pound towing capacity, meaning towing a trailer with a couple of ATVs or snowmobiles or a teardrop camper or travel trailer is possible.

Ashley brought up the point that when they were boondocking near Yellowstone, they only had their camper van. So if they left their campsite, which was on public land, there was always a chance they’d lose their campsite. With a small towable camper, like the kind the Telluride could tow, they have the ability to leave that camper behind at the campsite and take the Telluride to explore on day trips.

“You can leave it there, drive into town, get some food, hit the slopes, go explore and then come back home,” she said.

Modern Tech Features Make Everything Easier

One of the main draws of the Kia Telluride is technology. Kia equipped the Telluride with all of the latest technology, ensuring it not only lined up with the competition, but far surpassed it. Brad and Ashley both noted the technology features inside the vehicle.

“Well, the Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go is huge,” Ashley said. She said she was afraid to use this feature at first in some of the vehicles she’s driven, but on long trips, it can be a lifesaver. The Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve in the Telluride is one of the most advanced systems out there. The system utilizes GPS mapping data to adjust speed around tighter corners, meaning you won’t have to make adjustments to the cruise control system on the fly.

Ashley also mentioned the Blind Spot View Monitor and the lane-keeping assist systems, two sets of features that just make life easier, especially when you’re driving on the highway. Brad and Ashley commonly make a trip from Seattle to Bend, Ore., and this technology makes that trip a breeze.

Another thing she pointed to were the various camera views and parking alerts that the Kia Telluride offers. “Not everyone parks appropriately at ski lodges or leaves enough room, so having those additional eyes and ears is huge, especially in the snow.”

The feature hits don’t stop with just the driving technology. Both Brad and Ashley called out the Kia Telluride’s infotainment system, noting that the systems in some of the vehicles they own or have driven have come up short compared with what you’ll find in the Telluride.

Things like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are big draws and make the Telluride’s 10.3-inch touchscreen even more easy to use. “Everything you just want to seamlessly integrate into your life, and I think a big part of a new-car purchase now is having that car as easily as your smart TV, your smart speaker, your lights — everything in your house, so that then when you go out to your vehicle, you’re not getting out your key. You open the door, maybe remote start, and are able to hop in and connect.”

Brad and Ashely both said that the biggest advantage to having this connectivity is that you don’t have to use your phone; the touchscreen gives you everything you need in a seamless experience.

Convenience features were also brought up. Things like power liftgates, power-adjustable seats, heated seats — all of these features were things Brad and Ashely loved. Additionally, Kia’s rebranded telematics system was brought up. Originally called UVO, now named Kia Connect, the system connects to a device of your choosing to help you do all sorts of things, including remotely locking and unlocking doors, remote climate control, connected routing for the GPS and helping you remember where you parked.

Spacious and Upscale Interior

Styling is subjective, so everyone has their own opinion, but one thing is clear: The Telluride turns heads. This is true of both the interior and the exterior. Inside, Ashley noted the luxurious touches inside the cabin. She also liked that Kia kept some physical buttons so that you don’t have to utilize the touchscreen for absolutely everything.

“I still haven’t adjusted to touchscreens fully, so I appreciate that they did both, and it still looks nice in the vehicle on the dash,” she said.

Brad noted the upscale materials and the position of the infotainment screen and the driver’s cockpit.

“I love the layout of the screen, the rectangular orientation and where it’s placed,” he said. “It’s nice you can still see the gauges and you have a driver’s cockpit so you’re engaged with the driving component, but the screen is easily accessible for both the driver and the passenger.”

Brad also said Kia did a good job with space management. Many of the aspects of the vehicle play several roles. He pointed to the front seats themselves: Yes, the seat is a comfortable place for you to sit, but Kia integrated a charge port into the side of the seatback, and there’s a place for a passenger to store a phone or an e-reader or other device.

Some of the small space management touches might seem small, but Brad said they really make a difference when you spend a lot of time inside a particular vehicle.