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Giveaway #38 Winner Profile:

Adam U. and the 2025 Kia Telluride

Adam U. from Baltimore, Maryland, didn’t win what he wanted. The 717 Supply participant had purchased a $30 combo pack specifically to enter for two restored Chevy OBS trucks—a two-door Tahoe and a Silverado. Instead, he won a 2025 Kia Telluride worth considerably more than his hoped-for vehicle. The prize also included a family vacation and $10,000 in cash.

 

“I wanted that two-door Tahoe,” Adam admitted during the reveal at 717 Supply’s Pennsylvania headquarters. Founder Mike Hyssong pointed out the irony: “So you wanted the $30,000 two-door Tahoe, but you got the $50,000 Kia,” and added, “I think you’re the only person in history to ever win second place and get more value.”

 

The automatic entry system explained the unexpected outcome. Anyone entering for the OBS trucks received entries for other active giveaways, including the Telluride. Adam's modest investment targeted vintage Chevrolets but delivered a brand-new three-row SUV instead.

 

His initial reaction favored the cash option over keeping the striking gray Kia. “At first I thought, ‘All right, we’ll take the cash,’” Adam explained. Family discussions shifted that calculation. “After we thought about it a little bit, I was like, ‘You know what? Maybe the vacation would be a little bit more fun, take the whole family on it.’”

He reflected on practical considerations. “Right now, we’re going to use it as a daily. If my son gets his working situation together, he might end up driving that if he’s going to pull his part and pay his insurance,” Adam noted.

 

Hyssong emphasized the Telluride’s cargo capacity compared to that of larger SUVs. “Even with the third row up in the Tahoe, it doesn’t look a whole lot different than that,” he observed about rear space. 

 

“I think everybody was a little surprised, even myself,” he said when talking about the reaction from family and friends about his good fortune. “You see everybody win the stuff online, but you never think anybody’s going to actually win it that you know, or yourself.”

Vacation planning remained fluid between Disney and an Alaska cruise, though Adam made one preference clear: “I don’t like flying.” With only one flight in his history, a road trip in the Telluride appealed more than air travel. “If we took everything and we do the vacation, we’ll probably road trip this to wherever we’re going to go.”

 

During his winner’s interview, Adam praised his 717 Supply experience. “You guys are very upfront and thorough about everything you go through. There’s no shadow games or anything like that,” he said. “It’s straight to the point. Everybody’s easy to work with. Communication’s good. It’s definitely not fake.”

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About the 2025 Kia Telluride

Adam's Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 producing 291 horsepower that’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Its SX-Prestige trim brings premium Nappa leather seating, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with four-way lumbar support, and dual-zone climate control with rear controls for second and third-row passengers.

The Wolf Gray exterior—Kia’s version of the popular Nardo Gray shade—received 22-inch aftermarket wheels replacing the factory 20-inch rims. Hyssong added this upgrade to improve the vehicle’s stance and road presence. Meanwhile, the Terracotta brown interior contrasts against the gray exterior, featuring wood-grain accents across the dashboard and matching leatherette-wrapped door armrests.

Technology features include a 12.3-inch dual-curved integrated display combining a gauge cluster and infotainment functions, Harman Kardon premium audio with 10 speakers, wireless phone charging, and a digital rearview mirror. Hyssong also arranged dealer installation of Kia’s rear entertainment package—dual screens for second-row passengers with individual content capability.

The three-row configuration uses 50/50 split-folding captain’s chairs in the second row rather than bench seating, with power-folding third-row seats controlled via buttons in the cargo area. Despite compact exterior dimensions compared to body-on-frame competitors like the Chevy Tahoe, the Telluride has over 21 cubic feet of cargo space even with all rows occupied. This Telluride has a hands-free power tailgate, requiring the driver to only stand behind the vehicle for a few seconds before the cargo area opens. 

This family-focused cruise is equipped with Kia’s latest driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, rear automatic braking, parking sensors, and a surround-view monitor. It also has blind-spot collision warning, a 10-inch head-up display, and highway driving assist with adaptive cruise control. 

 

On the road, a self-leveling rear suspension provides comfort and confidence, while the driver mode selector offers Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Smart settings for adapting to different road conditions. AWD Lock and Snow modes complement the center differential lock, along with hill descent control, for better off-pavement capability.