Top Safety Pick

2022 Kia Telluride

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2022 Kia Telluride 4-door SUV — 2020 Kia Telluride shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system	Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system	Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Standard rear automatic braking

Key

G
Good
A
Acceptable
M
Marginal
P
Poor

Superior
Advanced
Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Kia Telluride SX 4-door 4wd

The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade were introduced in the 2020 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia and apply to both vehicles.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1906
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	9
Footrest (cm)	8
Left toepan (cm)	5
Brake pedal (cm)	4
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Upper dash (cm)	5
Lower instrument panel (cm)	6

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1906
Head
HIC-15	109
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	18
Maximum Nij	0.29
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	1.2
Right	1.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.38
Right	0.35
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	58
Right	41

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Kia Telluride SX 4-door 4wd

The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade were introduced in the 2020 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia and apply to both vehicles.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1912
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	8
Footrest (cm)	11
Right toepan (cm)	14
Center toepan (cm)	4
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Upper dash (cm)	4
Right lower dash (cm)	5

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1912
Head
HIC-15	119
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	30
Maximum Nij	0.34
Chest maximum compression (mm)	24
Femur (kN)
Left	0.5
Right	0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.47
Right	0.42
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.3
Right	1.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	43
Right	52

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1912
Head
HIC-15	163
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	10
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	26
Femur (kN)
Left	0.4
Right	0.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.34
Right	0.27
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	42
Right	48

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2020-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Kia Telluride SX 4-door 4wd

The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade were introduced in the 2020 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Hyundai/Kia and apply to both vehicles.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1910
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	6
Left (cm)	10
Center (cm)	10
Right (cm)	8
Brake pedal (cm)	7
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-2
Rearward (cm)	-4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1910
Head
HIC-15	211
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	16
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	30
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.2
Femur force - right (kN)	1.2
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	2
Maximum tibia index - left	0.26
Maximum tibia index - right	0.57
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.0
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	51
Right	84

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2020-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Kia Telluride LX 4-door 4wd

The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade were introduced in the 2020 model year. Two side tests of the Telluride were conducted, one by the Institute and the other by Hyundai/Kia. Ratings are based on both tests and apply to both vehicles.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle and barrier just after the Institute's crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment (Institute test car shown).

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by side airbags in the Institute's test.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	CES1902	VTS1912
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-14.5	-18.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES1902	VTS1912
Head HIC-15	108	102
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1	0.8
Compression (kN)	0.6	0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	37	35
Lateral force (kN)	1.7	1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	35	33
Average deflection (mm)	30	26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.58	2.51
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.36	0.39
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.9	1.5
Acetabulum force (kN)	0.6	1.3
Combined force (kN)	2.3	2.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.1	0.8
L-M moment (Nm)	58	92
A-P moment (Nm)	16	23

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES1902	VTS1912
Head HIC-15	132	86
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.3	0.2
Compression (kN)	0.3	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	34	25
Lateral force (kN)	1.4	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	38	33
Average deflection (mm)	28	24
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.19	3.83
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.52	0.43
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.2	0.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	0.8	0.8
Combined force (kN)	0.9	0.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	1.0	0.7
L-M moment (Nm)	171	118
A-P moment (Nm)	-70	-34

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2020-22 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Kia Telluride EX 4-door 4wd

The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade were introduced in the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2208
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-13.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2208
Head
HIC-15	99
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	17
Lateral force (kN)	0.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	28
Average deflection (mm)	24
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.86
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.40
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	6.6

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2208
Head
HIC-15	300
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	38
Lateral force (kN)	1.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	38
Average deflection (mm)	37
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	5.12
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.88
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	2.9

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2020-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Kia Telluride LX 4-door 4wd

Rating applies to both the Kia Telluride (tested) and the structurally similar Hyundai Palisade.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	4,243 lbs
Peak force	19,634 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	4.63

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual leatherette seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Manual leatherette seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	42
Distance below top of head (mm)	-6
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	11.1
Head contact time (ms)	62
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	414

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

EX trim equipped with Premium package
EX trim equipped with Premium and Tow packages
EX trim equipped with Nightfall package
EX trim equipped with Nightfall and Tow packages
SX trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	EX trim equipped with Premium package EX trim equipped with Premium and Tow packages EX trim equipped with Nightfall package EX trim equipped with Nightfall and Tow packages SX trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2020-22 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	99.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	68.8 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	89.9 m	53.9%
250m radius left curve, left edge	74.7 m	0.1%
150m radius right curve, right edge	67.1 m	12.1%
150m radius left curve, left edge	60.4 m	0.3%

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	124.3 m
Straightaway left edge	86.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	89.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	82.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	68.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	63.7 m

Trim level(s)

EX trim equipped with Tow package
LX trim
S trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	EX trim equipped with Tow package LX trim S trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2020-22 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	91.5 m	None
Straightaway left edge	49.4 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	48.5 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	42.9 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	37.1 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	37.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	128.8 m
Straightaway left edge	115.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	48.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	51.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	36.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	40.9 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-22 models

Superior

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

standard Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA), with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2020-22 models

Superior

Crossing child

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.

Crossing adult

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 1.6 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-22 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	LX
Seat type	leatherette

This vehicle has 3 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 2 additional seating positions with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	LX
Seat type	leatherette

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
5
5	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
6
6	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	15
Clearance angle (degrees)	90
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	21
Clearance angle (degrees)	68
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 22

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 23

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	14
Clearance angle (degrees)	80
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	14
Clearance angle (degrees)	86
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 31

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	29
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Not visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	25
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 32

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation