DRIVEN + VIDEO: Consumer Reports Gives Us Its FIRST Impression Of The Kia Telluride. What Does THIS Tell YOU?

The first thing this video tells me is that, outside of Doug Demauro, this guy's presentation skills are annoying AF.

The second thing this video tells me is that Kia has built a decent SUV for its price and class. It also tells me that part of the "wow" factor with this car is similar to the reaction to the Stinger. Surprising that Kia could come up with a product, primarily because their previous products have been, well, not so competitive. However, over time, it will simply become an also-ran because that surprise "wow" factor is gone. Do their products truly rival the premium brands. No. I've lived with a Stinger GT for now going on 2 years and I can say that more than comfortably.

The Stinger needs a V8 for $35K and then a TTV6 with 500-550 hp for $45K.

I wasn't appalled by the sound inside the Stinger I had. Granted it's not vault of silence, but it's not far off from my Shelby's road noise (minus the great engine sound of course). The Stinger was supposed to be the best of both worlds i.e. a muscle coupesedan and a premium coupesedan and it's not enough of either to hit the sweet spot. In general, Hyundai/Kia aims too generally. Witness the "general" nature of Genesis. They are generally good but not generally impactful.

The MAJOR shortfalls of the Stinger is in the quality. Door handles that feel crunchy. Squeaks and rattles galore. Switch movements not very fluid. Material quality of the interior nowhere near my previous Audi or BMW. Paint quality is really below average. Exterior trim quality even worse (had to have trim replaced TWICE under warranty due to premature marring/wear - not even acceptable in a Civic). And the daily drive just lacks the refinement of the Germans, sometimes bordering on rental-car dynamic.

Having lived with a Stinger and a Telluride, its very obvious that Kia has cracked the near-premium code and near-premium is where the money is at. It's that Buick/Lincoln/Acura/Subaru price band that people can afford but which makes them feel they've leveled up.

The Stinger is a great car but it's about 10-15% too expensive to be successful. It needed to be more muscle car than wannabe 4 Series. With the Stinger you can feel Kia aiming.

The Telluride is the real winner. It does not feel like Kia aimed. It feels like Kia "is".

Now if they can elevate the Optima so that it is a legitimate reason not to buy an A Class, CLA. A3--and I believe that is doable--the Optima can inherit to role that the Buick Regal was supposed to have played i.e. the larger alternative in the entry-level near-premium/premium market.

But going forward, sedan will be successful ONLY if they represent a tremendous value. They have to be better equipped than a comparable crossover for less money.

Based on these photos, the Optima isn't happening. Looks bland and has a Lincoln-esque-ness to its profile.

https://www.autoblog.com/2019/11/11/2021-kia-optima-revealed-k5-south-korea/#slide-2185037

Glad to Kia building great products that are hopefully getting the market attention they deserve. More choices is always better in my book.