The 2021 Kia Telluride lasts around 200,000 miles with some headlight and brake wear issues reported. At $33,675 to $45,600, it’s expensive, but worth the money for a very comfortable midsize SUV with all of the latest safety technology.
Is the 2021 Kia Telluride a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2021 is a great year for the Kia Telluride since it offers a lot of comfort paired with the latest safety tech. Owner reviews praise the reliable engine, responsive steering, along with the spacious cabin.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very nice for a midsize SUV, the seats are extremely comfortable on longer journeys, cargo space is also great.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread complaints on the 2021 Telluride. In general models from 2020–2022 are all reliable choices.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is average from the standard V6 engine which is not as powerful as some of the competitors.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2021 Telluride earns a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, along with lane keep assist. Optional upgrades include a surround-view parking camera system.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 23 MPG, giving 432 miles of range from the 18.8 gallon tank. Gas costs are $40 cheaper than average at $235 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2021 Kia Telluride is a decent value since it offers a lot of features for the money with slow depreciation in current market conditions.
Positive Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Kia Telluride?
- Consumer Reports says the 2021 Kia Telluride offers a more refined driving experience than other midsize SUVs, with very high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Telluride at 4.1/5, enjoying the plush ride, but doesn’t like the lack of small-item storage space.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Telluride a 4.1/5, praising the advanced standard safety features, but owners don’t like that there’s no hybrid.
What Common Problems Does the 2021 Kia Telluride Have?
Common problems found on the 2021 Kia Telluride include the headlights wearing out quickly, reduced brake feel, along with broken panoramic sunroofs. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to some other midsize SUVs on the market, leading to average repair costs as they age.
Headlights wearing out quickly is the most widespread complaint on the 2021 Kia Telluride, showing up in the first 5,000 miles. Owners report the high beams in particular fail quickly and have to be replaced. New bulbs cost around $100, and some of the aftermarket bulbs last longer.
Reduced brake feel is another issue reported by 2021 Telluride owners at around 15,000 miles. The Telluride is a heavy midsize SUV, which wears through brake pads faster than some of the smaller SUVs on the market. Replacing the brake pads costs around $350, depending on local labor rates.
A broken sunroof has also been reported by some Telluride owners. It is known to shatter when struck with a rock at highway speeds. Fortunately, this is a rare issue, although repair costs are expensive at over $1,500 since it’s such a large piece of glass, and in some cases is hard to find.
There are two recalls on the 2021 Kia Telluride, which is similar to other midsize SUVs. The most serious recall covers the tow hitch wire harness, which can catch fire while parked or driving. Kia will replace the harness on affected models for free. The other recall is for the occupant detection system, but only affects 142 vehicles.
How Long Will the 2021 Kia Telluride Last?
A well-maintained 2021 Kia Telluride can last around 200,000 miles, which is around 100,000 miles less than the long-lasting Toyota Highlander. Regular annual repair costs are similar to other midsize SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $435 per year.
As a used 2021 Telluride reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the purge valve for $235, heater hose costing $600, along with the steering knuckle which costs around $575.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great with a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. There’s an optional larger 10.2-inch touchscreen available, along with a more powerful stereo system.
Standard safety technology is excellent for a midsize SUV offering:
- Rearview camera
- Blind spot monitoring
- Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Rear-seat alert
- Driver drowsiness monitoring
- Rear parking sensors
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Front parking sensors
- Surround-view parking camera
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Head-up display
Is the 2021 Kia Telluride a Good Value?
Yes, the 2021 Kia Telluride is a good value since it’s less expensive than some other midsize SUVs while offering good reliability ratings. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $33,675 to $45,600, making it less than a Honda Pilot or Toyota 4Runner. When new, the price range was$32,190 to $44,390. Depreciation in current market conditions is nonexistent, although in normal times we expect it to lose about 7% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Kia Telluride?
There are four models of the 2021 Kia Telluride offered from the base LX all the way through to the more luxurious SX. The Telluride comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
LX is the entry-level model with:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Simulated Leather Upholstery
- Rear Heating and A/C Controls
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-Speaker Audio System
- USB Port
S is a step up, adding:
- 20-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Sunroof
- Roof Rails
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Heated Front Seats
- Second-Row Captain’s Chairs
EX adds features such as:
- Hands-Free Liftgate
- Leather Seating
- Power-Adjustable Passenger Seat
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Second Row Sunshades
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Self Leveling Rear Suspension
- 25-Inch Touchscreen Display
- Wireless Phone Charger
- LED Headlights
SX is the flagship model which has:
- Panoramic Sunroofs
- Larger Information Display
- Premium Leather Upholstery
- Heated and Ventilated Second-Row Seats
- Dual Sunroofs
- 10-Speaker Harman Kardon Stereo
What Engines Come In the Kia Telluride?
The engine found in the 2021 Kia Telluride is a reasonably powerful 3.8L V6 which makes 291 horsepower while getting up to 23 MPG. It comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Performance is okay, taking 7.2 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Kia Telluride Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Kia Telluride?
The 2021 Kia Telluride is renowned for its comfort, making it a top choice for families and individuals seeking a pleasant driving experience. With its spacious three-row seating, the Telluride comfortably accommodates up to eight passengers. The cabin is designed with high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces, contributing to the upscale feel of the interior.
Both front and second-row passengers enjoy ample headroom and legroom, while the third-row seat provides plenty of space for adults on shorter trips and children on longer journeys. The SUV’s smooth ride, minimal road noise, and user-friendly infotainment system round out the exceptional comfort offered by the 2021 Kia Telluride, making it an excellent choice for drivers prioritizing a relaxing and enjoyable ride.
How Much Storage Space Does the Kia Telluride Have?
The 2021 Kia Telluride is a midsize three row SUV that offers a generous amount of storage space to accommodate the needs of families and adventurers alike. This three-row vehicle boasts a seating capacity of up to eight passengers, with ample room for cargo. When all three rows of seats are in use, the Telluride provides 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row.
If you need additional room, folding down the third-row seats increases the cargo capacity to 46 cubic feet. For maximum storage, you can also fold down the second-row seats, which expands the available space to an impressive 87 cubic feet. The 2021 Kia Telluride’s versatile storage options make it an ideal choice for road trips, daily commutes, and everything in between.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The first generation of the Kia Telluride was launched for the 2020 model year.
2020: All-new model launched by Kia as the largest SUV they’ve ever made with enough room for eight passengers.
2021: Upgraded trailer-towing wiring harness, remote engine start added, along with a Nightfall Edition package with black trim.
2022: Driver assistance features standard on all models, standard 10.25-inch touchscreen, along with new Kia badges.
How Does the Kia Telluride Compare to the Competition?
The 2021 Kia Telluride is a very good midsize SUV, offering a lot of the latest safety technology paired with a comfortable and high-quality interior for the money.
The Hyundai Palisade is another midsize SUV available for around $1,5000 more. Both the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are built on the same platform, while interior materials are more luxurious in the Hyundai Palisade. We recommend the Kia Telluride since it’s essentially the same SUV, although it’s more affordable.
The Toyota Highlander is a popular SUV which costs around $2,500 more. Long-term reliability ratings are better in the Toyota Highlander, although the Kia Telluride offers a more spacious interior. We recommend the Toyota Highlander since it will last longer, although it’s worth testing out both to see which you prefer.
