Named after a rugged former mining town that has become a trendy ski and golf destination in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, the new 2020 Kia Telluride combines luxury, ruggedness and old-school SUV boxiness with power, size and lots of tech to enhance comfort, convenience, utility and the driver and passenger experience.

The Telluride is Kia’s flagship SUV, and that old-school boxiness is a good thing as it stands out from the rounder crowd and proudly announces powerful  rugged luxury as it thunders by; and it can haul up to 5,000 pounds, so you can hitch up your trailer for a long journey or weekend getaway.

A mid-size crossover, it is the largest vehicle Kia has produced. Telluride is the first Kia designed specifically for the U.S. and is a product of the Kia Design Center in Irvine, CA. It is marketed as a traditional “big, bold, boxy SUV, with the kind of presence associated with the original legendary SUVs and the go-anywhere, do-anything attitude.” Main design cues include a long, broad hood and wide grille; bold, stacked headlamps convey power and stability; upright windshield and clean side profile express muscular tension; inverted “L” tail lamps with LED stripes and elongated nameplates on the leading edge of the hood and on the liftgate provide distinctive identity for the SUV, and sculpted rear skid plate with integrated twin exhaust tips reference off-road ability and power.

The Telluride interior is designed to continue the impression of upscale exploration, with grab handles integrated into the center console that suggest journeys off the beaten path. A wide console with emphasis on the horizontal through artistic use of premium trim features suggests spaciousness and more “luxe living room” than “utility vehicle”, and the roomy cabin provides generous hip, shoulder, leg and head room, including the third row.

As Kia’s flagship SUV, the Telluride can be outfitted with an array of advanced technology and driver-assistance systems. Many available features are firsts for any Kia SUV, and these are in addition to the long list of tech and advanced driver assistance systems Kia is known for. These items include Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist , Safe Exit Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Head-Up Display, Driver Talk, Quiet Mode and Rear Occupant Alert.

With minimum ground clearance of 8.0 inches, Telluride measures 196.9 inches long, 68.9 inches high and a widebody 78.3 inches wide, on a wheelbase of 114.2 inches, and a curb weight of 4255  lbs. for the AWD version.

Inside is a huge expanse filled with comfort and tech. Available double-stitched, quilted and extra-padded Nappa leather trim upholstery mesh with a leather-wrapped, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, available heated steering wheel, simulated brushed metal and matte-finished wood, interior hooks to keep packs and bags off floor and away from feet, available heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, ceiling-mounted second-row climate control, HVAC diffusing ceiling vents provide wider spread of airflow for increased comfort, reclining third-row seats and all the requisite infotainment and connectivity including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Park Guidance, a 630-watt audio system with 10 speakers, wireless smartphone charging and multi-Bluetooth connectivity.

With room for seven or eight passengers, the cavernous cabin provides front headroom of 40.9 inches, with 40.2 inches in row two and 38.1 in row three. Front row leg room is 41.4 inches, with 42.4 inches in the second row and 31.4 in the third row. Row one shoulder room is a spacious 61.6 inches, 61.2 in row two and 55.3 in the back. With the third row folded flat there is plenty of cargo room.

Available in four trims in FWD or AWD, Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter, V6, Gasoline Direct Injection Lambda-II engine that produces 291hp and 262 lb-ft of torque and is EPA rated at 20mpg/city, 26 mpg/highway and 23 mpg/combined. My week of snow-conquering tests averaged 22.6mpg as the bold sports-ute handled gently and smaller than its size, though there is some top-wobble during twisty maneuvers.

Responsive and quick for its size, with a firm ride, my Telluride roared through a zero-to-60mph dash in 7.1 seconds and finished off a quarter mile in 15.3 seconds. There is a slight hesitation when pedal mashing from low speed, but power is never in doubt. The Independent, MacPherson strut front suspension, coil springs with, stabilizer bar and an Independent, self-leveling multi-link rear with a stabilizer bar smooth out road imperfections and steering is predictable and on point.

The 2020 Kia Telluride starts at $31,690 for the LX trim and moves through four trims to the $41,490 SX. My SX came with dual sunroofs, 20-inchBlack sport finish alloy wheels, 12-way adjustable driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support, Harman Kardon® 10-Speaker Premium Audio w/ Clari-Fi™, External Amplifier and Subwoofe, Surround View Monitor and much more. My test ride added all-wheel drive for $2000; the SX Prestige Package for $2000 (automatic rain-sensing wipers, heated and ventilated second-row seats, Head-Up Display, Premium Nappa leather seat trim and more) and Mud Guards for $115. With destination charges of $105, my test 2020 Telluride SX stickered at $46,700.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Want to contribute to All About Cars?

E-mail Us