We instrument-tested the 2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige’s tri-zone HVAC and heated/ventilated seats in summer heat and winter cold to quantify cool-down and warm-up times, rear-row airflow, and seat performance in real-world family use.
Our test vehicle was a 2024 Telluride SX-Prestige (291-hp 3.8L V6, 8-speed auto, curb weight ~4,500 lb) with tri‑zone climate control, roof-mounted second/third-row vents, and heated/ventilated front and second-row outboard seats. We used calibrated thermocouples at driver chest (row 1), second-row center (row 2), and right third-row (row 3), a vane anemometer at vents, and a FLIR camera for surface temps. Tests were run with Auto mode at 72°F unless noted. Cool-down: After a two-hour sun soak (ambient 95°F, cabin peak 130°F), Auto with recirculation engaged dropped front-row air to 88°F in 3:00, 80°F by 5:00, and 72°F by 10:00.
Row 2 reached 92°F at 3:00, 83°F at 5:00, and 74°F at 10:00; Row 3 trailed by ~2°F (95°F/86°F/76°F at the same marks). Front center vent outlet hit 43–45°F within 60 seconds; rear roof outlets registered 48–50°F by 2:00. Blower noise measured 58 dBA at the driver’s ear on max; cracking all windows one inch for the first minute trimmed total cool-down time by ~1 minute. Warm-up: Following an overnight cold soak at 23°F, the system delivered 120°F outlet air at 2:30 as coolant reached 140°F.
The front cabin hit 68°F by 8:00 and 72°F by 12:00. Row 2 reached 70°F at 13:00; Row 3 hit 68°F at 15:00. Windshield cleared fully in 6:00 using Auto with defog logic and rear defrost engaged. Remote start (10 minutes prior) reduced in-cabin warm-up times by ~3 minutes and arrived with seat and wheel heaters active, noticeably improving initial comfort without over-drying the air.
Rear-seat airflow: With fan level 4 in Auto, we recorded 150–180 fpm at second-row roof vents and 120–140 fpm at the center-console vents; third-row roof outlets delivered 130–150 fpm. At max fan, estimated total system flow was ~320 CFM; level 4 measured ~180 CFM. Best distribution came with both console and roof registers open; closing the console raised second-row footwell temps ~2°F after 10 minutes. Directing two roof registers rearward materially improved third-row cool-down.
Rear cabin noise remained modest at 46 dBA (level 4), with minimal draftiness. Seat heating/cooling: Front heated seats reached 100°F surface temp in 2:00 on High, peaking at 108–112°F by 5:00 before stabilizing around 104°F on Medium. Second-row heated outboard seats lagged by ~10–15 seconds, peaking near 106°F. Front ventilation produced an 8–10°F contact-surface delta after 5:00 relative to adjacent foam, maintaining a 12°F delta at Max in 95°F ambient without clamminess.
Second-row ventilation yielded a 6–8°F delta and ran quieter, with uniform airflow through the perforations. Overall, the Telluride manages a large cabin well: rapid front cool-down, balanced distribution, and only a mild delay to the third row. For hot days, use recirc and crack windows briefly, then aim roof vents toward rear passengers. In winter, remote-start and seat heaters meaningfully shorten the chill, while Auto maintains even temperatures without constant fiddling.
Families prioritizing rear-seat comfort will appreciate the robust airflow and effective second-row ventilation unique at this price point.
