JDR76

A little correction there. It has 262 lb-ft of torque, not 291. 291 is the horsepower rating.

mmarshall

Thanks. Sorry about that...I stand corrected. Got the figures in reverse. Still, a nice non-turbo V6.....I've sampled it.

AJT123

It looks like them, sorta, which is, again, why I think they nailed the looks part. It looks way more hardcore than it actually is.

Toys4RJill

For the engine size of 3.8, it should be clearing 300hp minimum.

mmarshall

Not necessarily...not without a turbo. And, for most driving situations, torque is significantly more important than HP. All else equal, HP determines ultimate top speed....torque and gearing determines acceleration.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

it's jill's usual jab at anything hyundai/kia, i guess because toyota's 3.5 makes 295, chrysler's 3.6 about 300, etc.

in real world driving, it's all irrelevant.

maybe a 4runner "should" have more than 5 gears.

Toys4RJill

The Buick Enclave with 310hp, smaller motor. The Telle 291 is not horrible, but it could be better for a 3.8 litre sized engine.

For sure. 4Runner could use an 8 speed like the LX or LC.

JDR76

I think the reason the 3.8 in the Telluride doesn't have as much output per liter as some of the competing engines is because the Kia 3.8 is always running in the Atkinson cycle.

The 3.5 in the Highlander, at 295 hp, can switch into or out of Atkinson, so the 295 is certainly measured while in the Otto cycle.

The Highlander Hybrid uses that same 3.5, but it always runs in Atkinson cycle. In that application, this engine is rated at something like 246 hp, relying on the electric motors to get up to the total output of 306 hp.

So I assume that Kia is using that extra .3 liter to get closer to the Highlander output, but while running in Atkinson. They probably could have went for a 3.3-3.5 liter engine in Otto and come out with similar output and fuel mileage.

mmarshall

Though not by a huge difference, on average, the Enclave is also heavier than the Telluride, particularly in the top Avenir trim. It takes more power just to get it rolling....though the new 9-speed automatic helps.

mmarshall

Agreed. Figures on paper are not the whole story. What matters is how much of that power actually reaches the drive-wheels. That's why AWD vehicles, all else equal, are usually slower and use more fuel than FWD or RWD.....more of the engine's power at the output-shaft is lost in the drivetrain while overcoming weight and drag.

Toys4RJill

The Toyota 3.5 make more hp and more torque than the 3.8 in the Telluride and it also has better fuel economy by one combined MPG. This is awd to awd comparo. I am not sure if the Telli runs all the time in Atkinson.

tex2670

99.9% of Telluride owners won't ever notice or need the extra HP or torque. It's mostly about bragging rights anyway.

JDR76

Indeed. The Highlander has 4 more horsepower and 1 ft-lb more torque. I doubt anyone would care or notice.

Toys4RJill

All depends I guess. The KIA makes its peak torque at a sky high 5200rpm. Highlander at 4700, Suburu which trumps both in the torque department hits its peak at 2000rpm. Load up the KIA and you will feel the drawback. The new Telluride is great achievement by KIA, I just think it would of been great if it debuted with a brand new engine

So I am not trying to come off as argumentative or difficult at all. I believe in 2016, Toyota had full Atkinson on the HL/RX hybrid and went to Otto/Atkinson switching.

tex2670

Most shoppers in this class care more about whether it has a pano sunroof. You don't like Kia.; that's fine. The Telluride's sales numbers don't reflect a widespread share of your HP concerns.