View 2020 Kia Telluride Photos

In the back, hockey-stick taillights trace subtly flared flanks. LED lighting is standard at both ends of the range-topping SX trim that sits above the LX, S, and EX alternatives. Our test vehicle's Dark Moss paint is intriguing, shining deep green in the sun and a misty brown in the moonlight. It's a looker.

Despite the visual differentiation, the Telluride is loosely based on the Sorento underneath. Struts in front and a multi­link suspension in the rear combine with stout anti-roll bars to keep the body mostly flat, even at its 0.81-g lateral-grip limit. The trade-off for taut body control is a suspension calibration that can feel a bit too tightly wound at times, as quick impacts and washboard surfaces occasionally throw the chassis out of rhythm. Still, overall ride quality on the 20-inch wheels never deteriorates to the point of discomfort.

The relationship between the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S tires could benefit from couples counseling, but this is true of most large SUVs. At least the steering is precise, with reasonable on-center feel and adequate heft that ratchets up with the SUV's drive modes.

Those modes (Comfort, Eco, Sport, Smart, and—on all-wheel-drive models—Snow) will likewise either speed up or numb the throttle map, and the brake pedal is firm and linear, stopping the Telly from 70 mph in a notable 162 feet. Brake-based torque vectoring helps the Telluride pivot, granting it an agility that belies its size.

The braking system on all-wheel-drive models can also impersonate a pair of limited-slip differentials, directing torque across the axles to the wheels that can use it best. There's also an AWD Lock function, which evenly distributes torque between axles. With 8.0 inches of ground clearance, the Telluride is capable of tackling the path slightly less traveled.

Mated to Kia's in-house eight-speed automatic and powering all Tellurides is a 3.8-liter V-6 that can be carbon-dated back to the Borrego era. The mill, now direct injected, makes 291 horsepower at 6000 rpm, 15 more than it made in the Borrego. Unlike some of the Telluride's turbocharged competitors whose boosted powerplants make gobs of torque at the bottom end, the naturally aspirated six-hole hits its 262-lb-ft torque peak at a sky-high 5200 rpm.

Manually shifting with the console-mounted lever, we coaxed the 4440-pound Telluride to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds at 94 mph. In sedate use, the eight-speed shifts smoothly on its own; but give the V-6 the spurs and it gets a little flustered. The engine note is well muffled, though. We measured 75 decibels in the cabin at wide-open throttle.

Under light loads, the V-6 is capable of operating on the Atkinson cycle, which boosts efficiency with late-closing intake valves. This contributes to a combined fuel-economy rating of 21 mpg for the all-wheel-drive model.

But it's inside where the Telluride shines brighter than so many beer bottles scattered roadside. Thanks to the superb fit and finish, the attentive ergonomics, and the use of soft-touch ma­terials and attractive low-gloss plastics, this Kia's cabin could be mistaken for a Volvo's.

This is a strong hand, a well-executed sport-utility vehicle with enough luxury to meaningfully shift current perceptions of the Kia brand. And its composure and bellyful of stand­ard safety tech will threaten even its most polished competition. Welcome to the high roller's table, Kia.