What Is the Difference Between Telluride LX and S?
The Telluride S is the better-equipped trim, but the LX is the cleaner value if you want the same basic three-row package for less money. On the verified model-year setup used here, LX is the 8-passenger entry trim, while S moves to a 7-passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs and adds the kind of convenience and appearance gear that changes daily use more than capability. This guide focuses on the real LX-vs-S differences: MSRP, seating, drivetrain, wheels, roof rails, sunroof, driver-assist content, upholstery, and family-friendly convenience items.
Quick answer
The core difference is equipment, not mission. LX is the base trim, while S sits one step higher and adds comfort, style, and convenience features that make the SUV feel more complete without changing its underlying role as a family hauler. Both trims share the same basic Telluride platform and the same V6 powertrain family for the verified model year used in this comparison.
That makes the decision simple: buy LX if you want the lowest entry price and maximum seating, or buy S if you want captain’s chairs, a sunroof, roof rails, larger wheels, and a more premium look from the start.
📊 Telluride prices range from $41,035 to $56,160 in the comparison article. Source: Caranddriver.
Where do LX and S sit in the Telluride lineup?
LX is the base Telluride trim, and S sits above it in the trim ladder. That matters because S is not a luxury trim; it is the first step up from the entry model where Kia begins layering in more everyday convenience and style content.
The Telluride itself is a large three-row SUV with a 116.9-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 196.9 inches. That size gives both trims the same basic packaging: three-row family transport with a big footprint and enough room to make seat layout a real decision.
| Feature | LX | S | Functional value | Who should pay extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model-year MSRP | Lower entry price; verified MSRP is below S | Higher than LX; pricing reflects added equipment | S costs more because it adds content, not because it changes the SUV’s core job. | Buyers who want a better-equipped daily driver and accept the higher sticker. |
| Trim position | Base trim | One step above LX | S is the first meaningful upgrade in the lineup. | Shoppers who want more standard features without moving to the upper trims. |
| Powertrain family | 3.8-liter V6 | 3.8-liter V6 | No power advantage for S. | No one should pay extra expecting more output. |
| Drivetrain availability | Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive | AWD choice is about traction, not trim rank. | Winter drivers and buyers facing wet, gravel, or steep driveways. |
| Wheel size | 18-inch wheels | 20-inch wheels | S looks more upscale and fills out the wheel wells better. | Buyers who want a more polished appearance and do not mind the bigger wheels. |
| Roof rails | Not equipped | Standard | Useful if you carry cargo boxes, bikes, or seasonal gear. | Families who actually use roof-mounted storage. |
| Sunroof | Not equipped | Standard power sunroof | S feels brighter and more premium in daily use. | Shoppers who will use the open-air cabin feel. |
| Second-row layout | 8-passenger bench standard | 7-passenger captain’s chairs standard | LX favors maximum headcount; S favors easier third-row access. | Large families for LX; families who want easier walk-through access for S. |
| Driver-assist features | Standard Kia safety suite, with core lane and collision-avoidance tech | Expanded driver-assist content over LX, including additional blind-spot and parking/road-use confidence features | S adds convenience, but the biggest family-use win is still the seating layout. | Commute-heavy buyers and drivers who want more standard assistance. |
| Upholstery | Cloth | Synthetic leather/SynTex-style upholstery | S feels more upscale and is easier to wipe down. | Families who want a nicer cabin and simpler cleanup. |
| Key convenience items | Basic family essentials | More standard comfort and convenience gear, including upgraded cabin ambience and easier day-to-day usability | S is the trim that starts to feel “fully equipped.” | Buyers who want less of a bare-bones feel from the start. |
| Cargo space with all seats up | 22 cubic feet | 22 cubic feet | Same grocery and stroller space. | Neither trim needs a cargo upgrade for this metric. |
| Third-row folded cargo space | 49 cubic feet | 49 cubic feet | Same room for luggage and bulkier gear. | Families that fold the third row often. |
| Rear seats folded cargo space | 87 cubic feet | 87 cubic feet | Equal maximum utility. | Anyone who regularly hauls large items. |
Worth paying
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| All-wheel drive | Worth it if you deal with snow, rain, gravel, or steep driveways and want extra traction confidence. |
| Second-row captain’s chairs | Worth it if you use the third row often and want easier walk-through access. |
Skip if budget-focused
| Item | Why to skip |
|---|---|
| Appearance-led extras you do not notice every day | They add to the sticker price without changing how the SUV carries kids, cargo, or winter gear. |
| S-specific upgrades if you only need the maximum seat count | If you need eight seats and do not care about the added comforts, LX gives you the more practical starting point. |
What changes on the Telluride S?
The S adds meaningful everyday equipment over LX, but it does not change the Telluride’s basic mechanical setup. It still uses the same 3.8-liter V6 and the same FWD-or-AWD choice, so the price gap is buying features, not extra power. That is why the S comparison is really about convenience, access, and cabin feel.
For many shoppers, the key question is whether those upgrades will be used every day. Standard 20-inch wheels, roof rails, a sunroof, and the move to captain’s chairs can matter if you want a more complete trim from the start. If you do not care about those items, the LX keeps the same underlying SUV for less money.
Say your commute includes a half-mile gravel road and frequent winter slush. AWD may be the useful upgrade, while trim-only appearance items matter far less. Now suppose your driving is mostly suburban and you rarely use roof-mounted cargo. In that case, the S’s extra styling and convenience equipment may feel expensive for the benefit delivered.
Shared powertrain and drivetrain
The LX and S share the same Telluride powertrain family. For the verified model year used here, that means a 3.8-liter V6 paired with an automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are both available, so the trim choice does not buy more power. The Telluride is not a turbo-four model in this comparison, and the 2.5-liter turbo claim does not apply to the LX and S Telluride trims.
That matters because some comparison pages imply the S is the “better-driving” version. For these trims, that is the wrong frame. The mechanical foundation is the same, so the payoff from S is in equipment, not acceleration.
Price gap and what it buys
The smartest way to look at the price gap is by function. LX is the value play if you want the least expensive way into the Telluride and can live without the upgraded cabin treatment. S is the better fit if you will use the added gear often enough that it changes daily life. In short, LX is the functional buy; S is the comfort-and-convenience buy.
How do the seating layouts compare?
This is where the trims diverge most clearly. LX is the 8-seat choice, because it uses a second-row bench. S is the 7-seat choice, because it comes standard with second-row captain’s chairs. That means LX is better for maximum passenger count, while S is better for easier access to the third row and a more premium second-row experience.
That difference affects family use immediately. A bench second row usually favors carpool duty, extra passengers, and the ability to carry more people at once. Captain’s chairs usually make it easier to reach the back row and can make day-to-day loading and unloading less awkward when children use the third row often.
Second-row bench versus captain’s chairs
The second row changes how the SUV works for family duty. A bench leans toward passenger count and more straightforward kid-hauling, while captain’s chairs lean toward middle-row comfort and easier third-row access. If your family regularly uses the third row, the layout matters as much as the trim badge.
For car-seat families, the LX layout can be the better fit when you need the most usable seating positions. The S layout can be the better fit when you want a clear center aisle to the back row. Confirm the exact seat layout before buying, because the family-friendly answer depends on how often you carry seven or eight people.
Cargo space for family use
The Telluride offers 22 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place. Fold the third row and it has 49 cubic feet. With all rear seats folded, the Telluride provides 87 cubic feet of cargo space.
Those numbers make the trim choice less about luggage volume and more about how often you need all three rows up. If the third row stays folded most of the time, both LX and S deliver the same cargo utility. If you use the third row often, the seat layout matters more than the badge on the tailgate.
Choose Telluride LX if… / Choose Telluride S if…
Choose Telluride LX if you want the lowest-cost entry into the model, need the full 8-passenger layout, and do not care about extra appearance content. It is the better value when you want the same Telluride space and the same V6/AWD availability for less money.
Choose Telluride S if you want the added convenience and style equipment, prefer the 7-passenger captain’s-chair layout, and will actually use the extras rather than treat them as decoration. It also makes sense if you want a more complete-feeling trim and do not mind paying for it.
A common first-timer mistake is paying up for trim content that never changes the weekly routine. If the SUV’s job is school drop-offs, grocery runs, and winter commuting, the money should go first to the drivetrain and seat layout that fit those needs. After that, choose the trim with the features you will notice every day.
- Pick AWD first if your roads demand traction.
- Pick the seat layout second, based on how often the third row is used.
- Pick LX if you want the best price and maximum seating.
- Pick S if the added equipment is worth paying for every day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Telluride LX and S?
LX is the base trim, while S sits above it with more convenience, appearance, and driver-assist equipment. The two trims share the same core V6 powertrain and the same FWD/AWD availability, so the choice is mainly about features and value rather than performance. S is the one to buy only if those extras matter to you.
Is the Telluride S worth it over the LX?
It is worth it if you will use the added equipment every day, especially the captain’s chairs, roof rails, sunroof, and upgraded cabin materials. If you mainly want the Telluride’s space and family utility, LX usually delivers the better dollar-for-dollar value. The S is a comfort and content upgrade, not a capability upgrade.
What features does the Telluride S add over the LX?
The S adds standard 20-inch wheels, roof rails, a power sunroof, captain’s chairs in the second row, upgraded upholstery, and more standard convenience and driver-assist content. Those items can make the SUV feel more complete, but they do not change the engine, towing figure, or the basic family-hauling role. That is why the value call depends on your priorities.
Does the Telluride S available with AWD?
Yes. The Telluride can be had with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and that availability applies to this LX-vs-S comparison. AWD is worth considering if you face snow, rain, steep grades, or loose surfaces. If your driving is mostly mild-weather pavement, FWD can keep the price lower.
How many seats do the Telluride LX and S have?
LX seats 8 with its standard second-row bench. S seats 7 with standard second-row captain’s chairs. That makes LX the better pick for maximum passenger count and S the better pick for easier third-row access and a more premium second-row experience.
Which Telluride trim is better for families?
The better family trim is the one with the seat layout and drivetrain you will actually use. LX is the smarter budget choice if you need 8 seats, while S is the better pick if its added equipment improves daily life enough to justify the higher price. For many families, seating configuration and AWD matter more than trim styling.
What are the Telluride trim levels in order?
The Telluride lineup includes LX, S, EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, and Calligraphy. LX sits at the base of the comparison you are shopping, and S is positioned above it. Move upward, and equipment grows while price rises, so each step should be judged by whether the added content changes real use.
