Kia Telluride, Seltos and Sportage PHEV Win Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards

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Kia received three awards in this year’s Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards. The Telluride received the best 3-row SUV award, marking the 4th year in a row the Telluride received top honours. No other 3-row SUV has won this award since the Telluride was introduced back in 2020.  

Returning to the list for the 3rd year in a row, the Kia Seltos impressed this year thanks to its bold styling and incredible value that helped it earn the best buy award for subcompact SUVs. Finally, the Plug-in hybrid Sportage separated itself from its PHEV competitors in its 1st year of production, earning the best buy for the Plug-in Hybrid segment. 

The Best Buy Awards are the culmination of expert vehicle evaluation and testing of nearly every new vehicle available. The comprehensive process includes an analysis of vehicle-related data, including vehicle transaction prices, 5-Year Cost-to-Own data, consumer reviews, ratings, and retail sales information.

“The Telluride, Seltos and Sportage PHEV are proof-positive that our brand offers a robust and value-driven portfolio of rugged and capable SUVs that meet the diverse needs of our many customers,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America.

“It is an honor to see three Kia SUVs recognized as category winners – and repeat category winners – by the expert editorial staff at Kelley Blue Book.”

Why KBB Loves the Seltos

Earning top spot in the competitive subcompact SUV segment for the 3rd year running, the 2023 Kia Seltos offers an unrivaled combination of modern styling, well thought out design, cutting edge technology and unbeatable value. Its best in class cargo capacity of 63 cubic feet can handle anything you throw at it from weekend hockey tournaments to everyday grocery shopping. The Seltos has a trim option for everyone from the affordable LX all the way to the luxurious and more powerful SX option. 

“When you’re shopping for a subcompact SUV, every dollar counts. That’s why the Kia Seltos is our Best Subcompact SUV winner again for 2023. Its low starting price, long list of standard tech and safety features, impressive fuel economy, and best-in-class warranty make the Seltos a terrific value. This stylish SUV also boasts one of the roomiest interiors you can get in its class.” Says Allyson Harwood, Automotive Editor at Kelley Blue Book

 

Read the full 2023 Kia Seltos Review Here.

Why KBB Loves the Sportage PHEV

In its 1st year of production the Sportage PHEV immediately elevated itself above the competition through a combination of unbeatable pricing and luxury like convenience throughout the vehicle. 

“We often talk about Kia interior designs looking like they could belong in a luxury vehicle. The Sportage Plug-in Hybrid reinforces that argument. Not just because of the one-piece digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen unit (although this arrangement is often seen in BMW and Mercedes-Benz products), but also things like the shapes of the door handles and air vents.” Says Colin Ryan, Kelley Blue Book Automotive Editor 

Beyond its impressive look and low starting price, the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is surprisingly powerful and fun to drive. Bucking the trend of the boring hybrid, the Sportage PHEV comes equipped with a turbocharged 1.6L engine and pair of electric motors that output 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

 

Read the full 2023 Sportage PHEV review here.

Why KBB Loves the Telluride

The Kia Telluride has swept the KBB Best Buy awards since its introduction in 2020. Considered the flagship of the Kia SUV lineup, the Telluride perfectly represents how much Kia has continued to improve over the past 5 years. While offering one of the most affordable 3-row SUVs on the road today, the Telluride also offers some of the best resale value, interior quality and technology offerings of any vehicle available. Considering its competitors can cost you well over $10,000+ in vehicle price, the value offered by the Telluride is a no-brainer. That’s why the Telluride is once again the KBB Best Buy Award Winner.  

“The 2023 Telluride performs all the tasks required of a 3-row midsize SUV, and to a high degree. But the pricing is absolutely reasonable once all the standard features are taken into account. We’re not the only members of the Telluride Appreciation Society. Kia can sell every single one it makes, while demand keeps resale values at the top of our midsize 3-row SUV ratings. It seems we all recognize a good product when we see it.” Says Colin Ryan, Automotive Editor at Kelley Blue Book

Read the full 2023 Telluride review here.

 

Conclusion

Learn everything you need to know about the Kia Telluride, Seltos, Sportage or any of the vehicles in the Kia lineup by checking out our research pages here.