Kia’s X-Tastic Telluride Model Monikers Are A Mess

Credit: Kia

Right out of the gate, the Kia Telluride was beloved. And I get it. Just look at this swagger wagon. All square-edged and tough. Plus, Kia arguably has the corner on the mainstream market with endless releases of interesting vehicles and of course, that epic powertrain warranty that no one else – Mitsubishi excepted – seems willing to match.

But Holy Model Designation Madness Batman! I was just enjoying a read of the 2025 Telluride latest and greatest only to be met with this:

Heavens to Betsy! Do you think Kia has used the letter X enough times here?! Kia isn’t the ONLY automaker to offend my admittedly soft sensibilities with ludicrous alphabet soup naming conventions. Looking at you BMW X5 xDrive40i and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance. Come again? In my good ear? Is there enough room on the press release? Ever heard of brevity?

But Kia, you’ve taken this naming nonsense to a new level of nuttery. Across 13 apparently distinct trim lines for the 2025 Telluride, I count the letter X SIXTEEN times. The “EX X-Line” and “SX-P X-Pro” are of particular outrage. Vin Diesel is going to sue over XXX trademark infringement, but not before my eyes permanently cross trying to count Xs!

I love you Kia, but please, for my own sanity, take it easy on the letter X.

Credit: Kia


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