Kia Telluride (LQ2, 2027-2026) Owner's Manual / Driving your vehicle / All Wheel Drive (AWD): (if equipped) / TERRAIN MODE. TERRAIN MODE selection

Subaru Forester: All Wheel Drive (AWD): (if equipped) / TERRAIN MODE. TERRAIN MODE selection

TERRAIN MODE enhances the Kia Telluride's driving capability by coordinating the AWD system, engine, transmission, and braking performance according to the current road surface, including snow, mud, sand, and other low-traction conditions.

Advantages of TERRAIN MODE

Improves straight-line stability on challenging road surfaces.
Provides enhanced handling and confidence while driving through curves.
Delivers additional traction and stability on demanding surfaces such as wet, sandy, muddy, or snow-covered roads.

Switching from/to TERRAIN MODE

Press the TERRAIN MODE button to switch from DRIVE MODE to TERRAIN MODE. Continue pressing the button to select the desired driving mode, including SNOW, MUD, or SAND, depending on current road conditions.

Press the DRIVE MODE button at any time to return the Kia Telluride to normal driving mode.

TIP

Even if the vehicle is turned off while TERRAIN MODE is active, the Kia Telluride automatically returns to DRIVE MODE the next time the vehicle is started.

TERRAIN MODE selection

SNOW↔MUD↔SAND
TERRAIN MODE	Description
-	DRIVE MODE is intended for everyday driving in normal road conditions, including city streets, suburban roads, and highways. During normal driving, the Kia Telluride AWD system continuously monitors road and vehicle conditions, automatically distributing traction between the front and rear wheels whenever necessary to provide an ideal balance of stability, efficiency, and handling. When the instrument cluster is set to display DRIVE MODE, it also provides a real-time view of how driving torque is being distributed between all four wheels.
SNOW	SNOW mode optimizes traction distribution to help minimize wheel slip and improve stability when driving on snow-covered, icy, or otherwise slippery road surfaces. This mode allows the Kia Telluride to deliver smoother and more confident acceleration under reduced-traction conditions.
MUD	MUD mode adjusts engine output, transmission response, and AWD torque distribution to provide improved grip and control while driving on muddy, rough, or unpaved roads where additional traction is required.
SAND	SAND mode is designed for loose surfaces such as sand, gravel, or similar unpaved terrain. It modifies power delivery and traction management to help maintain forward momentum and improve vehicle stability in these conditions.

NOTE

Keep the Kia Telluride in DRIVE MODE during normal everyday driving. Using TERRAIN MODE on dry, paved roads for extended periods is unnecessary and may lead to increased drivetrain load, mechanical vibration, or additional operating noise.

While driving in TERRAIN MODE, particularly when cornering on normal paved roads, you may notice slight drivetrain vibration or mechanical noise. These characteristics are normal and do not indicate a malfunction. Once TERRAIN MODE is canceled, the vibration or noise disappears. You may also feel a slight jolt as the front and rear wheel torque distribution returns to its standard operating state, which is a normal characteristic of the AWD system.

All Wheel Drive (AWD): (if equipped)

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Safe AWD operation

Before driving Mastering the dynamics of an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle is essential for confident driving. Do not rely exclusively on your habits from conventional Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles; the Kia Telluride AWD system provides different handling characteristi..

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