Brand’s Winningest SUV is a Standout Among 21 World-Class Contenders
- Award from Automobile comes on the heels of Telluride winning the “Triple Crown” of the auto industry’s top accolades…now the “Grand Slam”
- Recognized as a stylish, well-built SUV and one of the best new cars of the year
IRVINE, Calif., March 20, 2020 — The 2020 Kia Telluride, the brand’s most decorated SUV ever, has been named a winner at the Automobile All-Stars, an annual evaluation held by leading publication Automobile, to determine the best new vehicles of the year. This year’s event invited 21 vehicles across various segments to compete, each one considered among the “most interesting new or significantly revised” offerings available to consumers. Only eight of the 21 vehicles were named “All-Stars.”
This win comes on the heels of Telluride becoming the first-ever SUV to claim the “Triple Crown” of the auto industry’s most prestigious honors: 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year from North American Car of the Year (NACTOY)1; MotorTrend SUV of the Year; and a Car and Driver 10 Best.
“The Telluride being named an All-Star by Automobile is an honor for the Kia brand and extends our popular SUV’s impressive marathon run of significant accolades,” said Michael Cole, president, Kia Motors America (KMA). “It is further validation that our eight-passenger SUV delivers on its promise of world-class design, quality and engineering to our customers.”
The editors of Automobile selected and tested 21 vehicles over multiple days of driving on various types of roads in and around the California high desert. After evaluating and scoring an array of criteria for each contender, the staff determined eight All-Stars winners as the best new cars of the year.
“The fact the 2020 Kia Telluride impressed our test drivers so much is a testament to Kia’s execution of style, practicality and value,” said Automobileeditor-in-chief Mac Morrison. “In an Automobile All-Stars field of contenders that included some of the best sports cars, luxury GTs and supercars on the market today, this three-row SUV still stood out easily as one of the best new cars of the year. Whether you’re talking about its exterior appearance, interior appointments, or the experience from behind the wheel or in one of the cushy passenger seats, it’s a winner in every way.”
In addition to collecting the most awards within its first year on the market in Kia history, the Telluride is also one of KMA’s best-selling vehicles. Since going on sale in early 2019, over 70,000 Tellurides have been sold and demand continues to quickly outpace supply. Conceived, designed, and developed in the U.S. specifically for the U.S. market, the Telluride is proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia, and is the first Kia vehicle to be exported from the United States.
About Kia Motors America
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America has been the highest ranked mass market brand in initial quality for five consecutive years according to J.D. Power**, and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands by Interbrand. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia.*
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*The Telluride, Sorento and Optima (excluding Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
** Kia received the lowest rate of reported problems among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2015-19 U.S. Initial Quality Studies of new vehicle owners’ experiences with their own vehicle after 90 days of ownership. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details.
Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He is also the editor, producer and administrator of STM Daily News, a part of the TNC Network.
