Three features really struck me as impressive offerings when it comes to the 2025 Kia Telluride, especially as a way to appease passengers.
First I kept using the Driver Talk feature when I had a full load of kids and adults. With this feature, common on some Kia vehicles but not as common otherwise, you can talk to passengers who hear you over the speakers.
On a long road trip, I was able to let everyone know when we were stopping for gas or food without having to yell. They also could hear me clearly, which is important when you have kids.
I also found Quiet Mode to be helpful. This is another Kia feature that seems unique to me, even though you can accomplish the same thing in another way I will explain in a moment.
Essentially, this mode mutes the stereo for all passengers and only plays music or a podcast through the front speakers. I did have one instance when I used this feature on a road trip when someone was sound asleep in the back.
Another benefit is that rear passengers can decide they want to do their own thing — listen to their own music and not have that interfere with the car system, for example. I realized as I tested it with some family members that I also could have just turned the radio off entirely and let them listen to their own devices.
The third option I found is called Rear Occupant Alert. I have seen this feature on Chevy vehicles like the one I have right now and in some luxury cars. It alerts you to anything in the back of the vehicle such as a child to make sure you do not leave anyone behind.
I ended up not liking it as much during my testing period because I felt it was pretty obvious there was still someone back there, gathering their things. Yet, if you have small kids, it is a really important feature to have on hot sunny days when you might be in a hurry and forgetful. I’d rather these chimes be annoying to me and help other drivers.
What’s interesting about these three features is that none of them has anything to do with how the Telluride drives. I’ve tested enough SUVs to know that most of the attention goes to the engine, handling, fuel economy, and the technology up front. The passengers are usually an afterthought, even though they might be spending several hours in the vehicle on a family vacation.
I remember when the biggest innovation for rear passengers was having a DVD player mounted in the ceiling. That was a big deal at the time, especially if you had younger kids who wanted to watch a movie on a long trip. Now everyone has a phone or tablet, and keeping people entertained isn’t nearly as difficult. Keeping everyone comfortable and making sure they can hear you is another matter.
Of the three features, Driver Talk is the one I would probably use the most. It’s such a simple idea, and I’m surprised more automakers don’t offer something similar. When you’re driving on the highway with the air conditioning running and music playing, your voice doesn’t always carry to the third row. You can either repeat yourself several times or raise your voice, neither of which is particularly enjoyable.
Quiet Mode is a close second, although I still think it’s funny that a feature designed to make the vehicle quieter doesn’t actually require turning the stereo off. It’s more about giving the driver and front passenger some freedom to listen to something without bothering everyone else. On a long trip, that’s a welcome option.
Rear Occupant Alert is a little different because it’s more about safety than convenience. I can see why some drivers might find the reminders irritating, especially when everyone is old enough to get out of the vehicle on their own. Still, I wouldn’t want Kia to remove it. There are too many stories about children being left in hot vehicles, and even one reminder that prevents a tragedy makes the feature worthwhile.
One thing I appreciate about the Telluride is that Kia seems to understand how people actually use a three-row SUV. It’s not always about towing a trailer or having enough horsepower to merge onto the freeway. Sometimes it’s about making a long drive a little more tolerable for the people sitting behind you.
I wouldn’t buy a vehicle based on these three features alone, but they certainly made an impression during my testing. The Telluride is already a capable family SUV, and these small conveniences add to the appeal.
Now if Kia could invent a feature that prevents everyone from asking how much longer until we get there, I’d be even more impressed.