The Kia Telluride has cemented its status as a leading SUV, achieving an unprecedented feat by capturing the coveted “Triple Crown” of automotive awards in a single year. This remarkable accomplishment includes being named the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY), MotorTrend SUV of the Year, and a Car and Driver 10Best winner. This clean sweep marks the first time in history that an SUV has earned all three of these prestigious accolades simultaneously, underscoring the Telluride’s exceptional quality and Kia’s rising prominence in the automotive industry.
This “Triple Crown” victory culminates a year of extraordinary success for the Kia Telluride. Beyond these top three awards, the Telluride has garnered numerous “Best of” accolades and high praise from respected online, print, and video publications. The recognition from Car and Driver as a 10Best vehicle is particularly noteworthy. Car and Driver‘s 10Best list is highly regarded for identifying vehicles that represent the pinnacle of their respective classes, judged on factors including value, driving dynamics, and how well they fulfill their intended purpose. To be recognized by Car and Driver is a significant endorsement of the Telluride’s overall excellence and appeal to drivers.
Michael Cole, president of Kia America, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “Winning this ‘Triple Crown’ of prizes is a spectacular achievement for the Telluride, and also for Kia America. This is not just the unprecedented achievement of a terrific vehicle, but it’s also a high-water mark for the brand and places Kia at the forefront of global automakers.” This sentiment highlights the broader impact of the Telluride’s success, signaling Kia’s evolution into a top-tier automotive brand capable of producing award-winning vehicles that resonate with both critics and consumers.
The rigorous evaluation processes behind each award further validate the Telluride’s merits. NACTOY jurors, comprised of esteemed automotive journalists, based their decision on months of thorough testing, comparisons, and evaluations. MotorTrend’s SUV of the Year award criteria are equally stringent, focusing on safety, efficiency, value, design, engineering, and performance relative to the vehicle’s intended function. Car and Driver‘s 10Best selection process is renowned for its comprehensive assessment of vehicles across various categories, emphasizing value, driving enjoyment, and how effectively a vehicle meets its intended purpose. The Telluride’s triumph in all three of these evaluations speaks volumes about its well-rounded capabilities and broad appeal.
Beyond critical acclaim, the Kia Telluride has also achieved significant commercial success. Becoming the most-awarded Kia vehicle within its debut year, the Telluride is also a top-selling model for Kia America. Since its launch in early 2019, nearly 60,000 Tellurides have been sold, with demand consistently exceeding supply. This strong consumer demand further underscores the Telluride’s desirability and its resonance with the American car-buying public. Designed, developed, and conceived specifically for the U.S. market, the Kia Telluride is proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia, and holds the distinction of being the first Kia vehicle exported from the United States, marking another milestone for both the vehicle and Kia’s operations in America.
In conclusion, the Kia Telluride’s “Triple Crown” victory, including its Car and Driver 10Best award, represents a pinnacle of achievement in the automotive industry. This unprecedented recognition not only celebrates the exceptional qualities of the Telluride itself but also signifies Kia’s emergence as a leading global automaker, capable of producing vehicles that excel in design, engineering, performance, and overall appeal. The Telluride’s accolades and sales success firmly establish it as a benchmark in the SUV segment and a testament to Kia’s commitment to excellence.
