Must-read comparison of the Kia Telluride trim levels: LX vs. S vs. EX vs. range-topping SX.
The new Kia Telluride is a large and luxurious SUV with the starting price of $32,790. The 8-seater Kia SUV comes packed with a plethora of features, and offers spacious cabin with three rows of seats.
If you’re on the hunt for a new large SUV and you want to get plenty of bang for your buck, you should definitely take a closer look at the 2022 Kia Telluride!
What makes this Kia “off roader” a truly fantastic choice for new car buyers is the impressive range of features that it comes with. In fact, there are more than 170 features to choose from, which makes it truly tailorable to consumers’ particular needs and wants.
Some of those features are standard, while others are optional and exclusive to certain trim levels and packages. The 2022 Kia Telluride is available in 4 unique trim levels: the LX, S, EX and SX, as well as three optional packages, including the 8-Passenger Seating Package, Towing Package and Prestige Package.
In this Kia blog post, we are going to compare the four trim levels side by side to discover all of the features that are available; we will tell you which features come as standard and which come as optional.
To make things easier to understand, we have split the features into eight different categories, with each of them providing more insight into the available options.
2022 Kia Telluride
- Alloy wheels
- Lighting (front & rear)
- Exterior
- Interior
- Seating & trim
- Comfort, convenience & tech
- Safety
- Drive Wise
Kia Telluride trim levels compared (LX vs. S vs. EX vs. SX)
Each of the 8 comparison tables includes a list of available Kia Telluride trim levels and features.
Features classified as “S” come standard with that particular trim level, while “O” signifies that the feature is optional. The ” – ” symbol means this feature is not available on that particular Telluride trim level.
S = Standard
O = Optional
— Not available
Kia Telluride alloy wheel options
The 2022 Kia Telluride comes available with two different sizes of alloy wheels and tires. Depending on the trim level, customers can opt for either the 18-inch or 20-inch alloys.
The table below details which Telluride trim level comes standard with 18-inch alloys, and which gets you the 20-inch alloys. It also lists which colors are available for each trim level, including Machine Finish, Painted Finish, and Black Sport Finish.
| Alloy wheels | LX | S | EX | SX |
| 18-inch alloy wheels | S | — | — | — |
| 18-inch alloy wheels with machined finish | — | — | S | — |
| 20-inch alloy wheels with machined finish | — | S | O | — |
| 20-inch alloy wheels with black finish | — | — | — | S |
| 20-inch alloy wheels with black bezels, and Nightfall edition design | — | — | O | O |
| Temporary spare wheel tire | S | S | S | S |
Lighting options
The new Kia Telluride comes available with different lighting options, front and rear.
The lower trim levels come with standard lighting technology like halogen headlights or bulb-type lamps, while the higher trim levels receive more advanced lighting features, such as LED headlights and LED fog lights.
| Lighting | LX | S | EX | SX |
| Front | ||||
| Projector-style headlights | S | S | S | — |
| LED high and low projector-style headlights | — | — | O | S |
| LED positioning lights | S | S | S | S |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | S | S | S | S |
| Auto light control | S | S | S | S |
| LED fog lights with black bezels | — | — | — | S |
| Rear | ||||
| Rear combination lamps (Bulb type) | S | S | — | — |
| LED rear combination lamps | — | — | S | S |
| LED High Mounted Stop Lamp | S | S | S | S |
Exterior appearance of Kia Telluride 2022
The outward appearance of the 2022 Kia Telluride will differ slightly depending on what particular trim level you opt for.
As expected, the range-topping SX trim level will offer a more distinctive look, including larger alloy wheels, dual chrome exhaust tips, dual sunroofs, premium finishes such as satin chrome, and low-profile roof rails.
Find out which trim levels enhance the looks of the Telluride.
| Exterior | LX | S | EX | SX |
| Body-color outside door handles | S | — | S | O |
| Satin chrome and body-color outside door handles | — | S | — | S |
| Body-color power adjustable outside mirrors, heated with integrated LED turn signals | S | S | S | S |
| Power-folding outside mirrors | — | — | S | S |
| Reverse tilt-down power outside mirrors | — | — | — | S |
| Solar front door windows and windshield | S | S | S | S |
| Privacy rear windows, 3rd row/ cargo side glass & liftgate glass | S | S | S | S |
| Acoustic front windshield | S | S | S | S |
| Acoustic front door windows | — | — | S | S |
| Conventional wiper blades | S | S | S | — |
| Aero wiper blades | — | — | — | S |
| Front variable intermittent windshield wipers | S | S | S | S |
| Front Rain-sensing windshield wipers | — | — | — | O |
| Low washer fluid warning system | S | S | S | S |
| Black wheel arch & side sill molding treatment | S | S | S | S |
| Gloss black insert with chrome surround trim & new Kia logo | S | — | — | — |
| Gloss black insert with satin chrome surround trim & new Kia logo | — | S | S | S |
| Exclusive Nightfall design grille insert | — | — | O | O |
| Body-color bumpers | S | S | S | S |
| Body-color front bumper side air duct garnish | S | — | — | — |
| Satin chrome front bumper side air duct garnish | — | S | S | S |
| Gloss-black finish front bumper side air duct garnish | — | — | O | O |
| Non-painted skid plate | S | — | — | — |
| Silver painted skid plate | — | S | S | S |
| Gloss-black finish skid plate | — | — | O | O |
| Chrome lower door garnish (front & rear) | S | — | S | — |
| Satin chrome lower door garnish (front & rear) | — | S | — | S |
| Gloss-black finish lower door garnish (front and rear) | — | — | S | S |
| Chrome DLO surround molding | S | — | S | — |
| Satin Chrome DLO surround molding | — | S | — | S |
| Gloss-black finish DLO surround molding | — | — | O | O |
| Twin exhaust tips | — | S | S | S |
| Roof rails – silver finish | — | S | S | — |
| Roof rails – satin chrome (anodized) finish | — | — | O | S |
| Gloss-black finish roof rails | — | — | O | O |
| Body-color rear spoiler | S | S | S | S |
| Power tilt-slide sunroof | — | S | S | — |
| Dual sunroof with front tilt-slide functionality | — | — | — | S |
| Deluxe stainless steel door scuff plates | — | — | — | S |
Kia Telluride interior features
The 2022 Kia Telluride’s interior has been praised for its comfort and spaciousness, along with its impressive range of infotainment and convenience features.
Standard features include air conditioning, Smart Key with push-button start, three 12V power outlets and five USB charging ports, six speakers, and an 8-inch touch-screen display with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth, to name just a few.
The higher trim levels include features that add a touch of luxury to the driving experience, including a 64-color mood lighting system, premium nappa leather trim, a Harman Kardon 10-speaker audio system, a 10.25-inch touch-screen display, as well as heated front and second-row seats.
| Interior | LX | S | EX | SX |
| Tilt and telescopic steering column | S | S | S | S |
| 3.5″ TFT LCD segment meter cluster | S | S | S | — |
| 7″ color TFT LCD supervision meter cluster | — | — | — | S |
| Metal paint crashpad trim | S | S | — | — |
| Wood hydrographics crashpad trim | — | — | S | S |
| Rheostat | S | S | S | S |
| Trip computer | S | S | S | S |
| Day/night interior rear-view mirror | S | S | — | — |
| Auto-dimming rear-view mirror | — | — | S | — |
| Auto-dimming rear-view mirror with Homelink® | — | — | — | S |
| 64 color mood lamp | — | — | — | S |
| Overhead console lamp (bulb type) | S | — | — | — |
| LED overhead console lamp | — | S | S | S |
| 2nd row lamps (Bulb type) | S | — | — | — |
| LED 2nd row lamp | — | S | S | S |
| 3rd row/cargo lamp (Bulb type) | S | — | — | — |
| LED 3rd row/cargo lamp | — | S | S | S |
| Front door courtesy reflectors | S | S | S | S |
| Front and rear side door pockets | S | S | S | S |
| Overhead console with sunglass holder | S | S | S | S |
| Dual sunvisors, sliding with vanity mirrors | S | S | S | S |
| Premium cloth sunvisor | — | — | — | O |
| Illuminated vanity mirrors (Bulb type) | S | — | — | — |
| LED Illuminated vanity mirrors | — | S | S | S |
| Floor console with center armrest, cup holders, side handles and storage box | S | S | S | S |
| Floor console synthetic leather wrapped side handles | — | — | S | S |
| 2nd-row center armrest with cup holders | S | — | S | — |
| Cup holders at luggage side trim | S | S | S | S |
| Premium cloth headliner trim | — | — | — | O |
| Premium cloth wrapped A/B-pillar trim | — | — | — | O |
| Chrome interior door handles | S | S | — | — |
| Satin Chrome interior door handles | — | — | S | S |
| Synthetic leather wrapped door armrest | S | S | S | S |
| 2nd-row sunshade screens | — | — | S | S |
| 2-way luggage board | S | S | S | S |
| Carpet Floor Mats | O | O | O | O |
| Deluxe stainless steel pedals | — | — | — | S |
Comfort & convenience features in the 2022 Telluride
The list of comfort-enhancing interior features continues with the convenient Push-Button Start thanks to the Smart Key, plus dual-zone air conditioning.
Entertainment is provided by the 10.25-inch navigation display unit, which features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as SIRIUS, Bluetooth, and a Harman Kardon surround sound audio system.
See the table below to find out which features come standard, and which are optional.
| Comfort, convenience & technology | LX | S | EX | SX |
| Dual zone automatic temperature control | S | S | S | S |
| Auto Window Defogger | S | S | S | S |
| Positive Temperature coefficient heater | O | O | O | O |
| Rear automatic temperature control | S | S | S | S |
| Rear ducts – ceiling mounted with Diffuse vents (2nd & 3rd row) | S | S | S | S |
| 10.25-inch TFT navigation display with Radio/ Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, SIRIUS, Bluetooth, voice recognition, driver talk, quiet mode & integrated rear view camera (AVN 5.0) | S | S | S | S |
| Telematics Mobile Unit – Embedded Modem (TMU) | S | S | S | S |
| 6 speakers (including 2 tweeters) | S | S | S | — |
| 10 speakers (including center speaker, subwoofer and external amplifier) | — | — | — | S |
| Harman Kardon surround sound audio system | — | — | — | S |
| Apple CarPlay™ | S | S | S | S |
| Android Auto™ | S | S | S | S |
| Wireless phone charger | — | s | S | S |
| USB input jack | S | S | S | S |
| Bluetooth® wireless technology with voice recognition | S | S | S | S |
| USB charging ports (x5) | S | S | S | S |
| USB charging ports (x6) | — | — | S | S |
| Power outlets (x3) | S | S | S | S |
| 110V Inverter | — | — | — | O |
| Power windows with auto up/down and safety | S | S | S | S |
| Steering wheel-mounted audio controls | S | S | S | S |
| Driver and Passenger’s central door lock | S | S | S | S |
| Push-button start with Smart Key and burglar alarm | S | S | S | S |
| Remote Engine Start button on Key Fob | S | S | S | S |
| Smart (Hands-free) Power liftgate with programmable operation | — | — | S | S |
| Drive Mode Select (DMS): Comfort / Eco / Sport / Smart | S | S | S | S |
Kia Telluride 3-row seating configurations
Kia Telluride is a 3-row SUV that offers seating for 7 or 8 people.
Depending on trim level, the 2022 Kia Telluride comes loaded with luxury features such as the Nappa leather, ventilated seats, heated steering wheel and 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat.
The Telluride also offers different seating options, including the 2nd-row 60/40 split-folding bench seats or 2nd-row 50/50 split-folding captain chairs. The third row comes standard with 60/40 split-folding bench seats on all Kia Telluride trim levels.
Find complete details about the seating options in the 2022 Kia Telluride, as well as the available features, in the comparison table below.
| Seating & trim | LX | S | EX | SX |
| SynTex Seating Material (Synthetic Leather) | S | S | — | — |
| Leather seat trim | — | — | S | S |
| Premium Nappa leather seat trim | — | — | — | O |
| 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support | — | S | S | S |
| 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support, seat extension and thigh support | — | — | — | S |
| Integrated Memory System (IMS) for driver’s seat and outside mirror position | — | — | — | S |
| 8-way power adjustable passenger seat | — | — | S | S |
| Heated front seats with 3 settings | — | S | S | S |
| Ventilated front seats with 3 settings | — | — | S | S |
| 2nd-row one-touch slide and fold | S | S | S | S |
| 2nd-row 60/40 split-folding bench seats | S | — | S | — |
| 2nd-row 50/50 split-folding captain chairs | — | S | O | S |
| 2nd-row heated seats with 3 settings | — | — | — | O |
| 2nd-row ventilated seats with 3 settings | — | — | — | O |
| 2nd-row remote folding buttons (in cargo area) | S | S | S | S |
| 3rd-row 60/40 split-folding bench seats | S | S | S | S |
| Front seatback pockets | S | S | S | S |
| Front seatback hooks | S | S | S | S |
| 3rd-row seatback hooks | S | S | S | S |
| Up/down adjustable front headrests | S | S | S | S |
| Up/down adjustable 2nd-row headrests (bench) | S | — | S | — |
| Up/down adjustable 2nd-row headrests (captain chairs) | — | S | O | S |
| Up/down adjustable 3rd-row headrests | S | S | S | S |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | S | S | S | S |
| Leather-wrapped shift knob | — | S | S | S |
| Heated steering wheel | — | — | O | O |
Safety features of new Kia Telluride
As you would expect of a Kia vehicle, the Telluride comes equipped with a number of safety features, including dual front, side curtain and driver’s side knee airbags, rollover sensor, hill start assist control (HAC), anti-lock brakes (ABS) and vehicle stability management (VSM), plus more.
All of these safety features come standard on every Telluride model, meaning it’s the same across all trim levels.
You will be pleased to note that the Telluride has earned good safety scores in every crash test, and has been named a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
| Safety & security | LX | S | EX | SX |
| Dual front advanced airbags | S | S | S | S |
| Dual front seat-mounted side airbags | S | S | S | S |
| Full-length side curtain airbags | S | S | S | S |
| Driver’s knee airbag | S | S | S | S |
| Rollover sensor | S | S | S | S |
| Side impact sensor | S | S | S | S |
| 3-point seat belts | S | S | S | S |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | S | S | S | S |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | S | S | S | S |
| Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) | S | S | S | S |
| Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) | S | S | S | S |
| Torque Vectoring Corner Control (TVCC) | S | S | S | S |
| Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) | S | S | S | S |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) | S | S | S | S |
| Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) high-line | S | S | S | S |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) | S | S | S | S |
| Safe Exit Assist | S | S | S | S |
| Rear Occupant Alert with Ultrasonic Sensors (2nd and 3rd Rows) | S | S | S | S |
| Immobilizer | S | S | S | S |
Kia Telluride Drive Wise
The Kia Drive Wise is a suite of active safety features that use cameras, sensors, radar and onboard computers to help alert drivers of hazards and intervene to reduce the risk of accidents.
The use of these technologies means you can have a safer and less stressful driving experience. See the table below to find out which of the Drive Wise features are standard and optional on the different trim levels of the 2022 Kia Telluride.
| Drive Wise | LX | S | EX | SX |
| AWD Modes: AWD Lock and Snow | O | O | O | O |
| Blind Spot Collision – Avoidance Assist-Rear (BCA-R) | S | S | S | S |
| Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) | — | — | — | S |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | S | S | S | S |
| Forward Collision Avoidance with Pedestrian Detection (FCA) | S | S | S | S |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | S | S | S | S |
| High Beam Assist (HBA) | — | — | O | S |
| Highway Driving Assist (HDA) | S | S | S | S |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | S | S | S | S |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | S | S | S | S |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | S | S | S | S |
| Navigation-based smart cruise control-curve NSCC-C (improves HDA & LKA) | S | S | S | S |
| Parking Distance Warning – Reverse (PDW-R) | S | S | S | S |
| Parking Distance Warning – Forward (PDW-F) | — | — | — | S |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision – Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | S | S | S | S |
| Rear View Monitor (RVM) with Parking Guidance – Dynamic | S | S | S | S |
| Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with STOP & GO (S&G) | S | S | S | S |
| Surround View Monitor (SVM) | — | — | — | S |
| Head Up Display (HUD) | — | — | — | O |
The 2022 Kia Telluride provides a balance of luxury and practicality, while still being reasonably priced. With such a huge range of different standard and optional features to choose from, it’s an SUV that can be tailored to everyone’s particular desires.
Together with its advanced technology and safety features, spacious interior and comfortable third row, plus its off-road capability, we’re sure you’ll be seeing plenty more Telluride SUVs on the road very soon!
An informative and well written comparison of the Telluride that will made my purchase decision much easier.
Excellent comparison, makes decision making on what model to purchase to meet your specific needs. Thank you.