Undoubtedly, the Telluride is a superb midsize SUV. Its cabin is packed with high-quality components and convenient amenities. There is plenty of storage for freight as well as comfortable seating for up to eight over three rows.
In This Article...
Which issues does the Kia Telluride have?
The Kia Telluride lacks a lot of historical data as one of the more recent SUVs to hit the market. That so, we still know which Kia Telluride years to steer clear of.
There is just one Kia Telluride year to steer clear of, and that’s 2020.
Since 2020, the Telluride has been manufactured. The good news is that the 2021 and 2022 models both score highly and have a small number of issues.
The major issues with the 2020 model relate to visibility. Let’s look more closely at what these issues are and if they make the Kia Telluride or break it in order to help you make your purchasing decision.
The CoPilot app isn’t just for purchasing a car; it can also be used to keep track of recalls and receive recommendations on which regular maintenance activities are most crucial.
Which Kia Telluride Models Are Good to Buy Used?
The Kia Telluride is still relatively new to the SUV market and is still building its reputation. What that actually is will depend on time. However, for the time being, customers seem to be content overall with their Tellurides.
The Kia Telluride is easy to use and has plenty of room for everyone. That contains seating and cargo rooms that can accommodate all of your adventures, as well as enough for seven to eight passengers.
Additionally, the SUV has a cross-traffic rear accident prevention system to help you while driving on the highway. Additionally, there is a hill-start control to keep you from rolling back on hills.
A strong 10-year warranty is also included with the Kia Telluride, which is always a pleasant feature to cars. Powertrain coverage for 100,000 miles is also covered by this warranty.
It’s good to see that Kia offered this guarantee on the Telluride because the powertrain has frequently been the subject of consumer complaints, as we’ve seen time and time again.
J.D. Power gave the 2021 and 2022 models a strong 85 out of 100 for reliability, which is excellent for both of them.
Given that ratings between 81 and 90 are considered “Great,” it is safe to assume that buying a Kia Telluride made in 2021 or 2022 will be a wise investment.
- Kia Telluride for 2021
- Kia Telluride for 2022
The NHTSA and consumers had slightly more complaints about the 2022 model than the other model (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The 2022 Telluride has 11 NHTSA miscellaneous complaints, according to CarComplaints.
In addition, 10 NHTSA complaints have been filed addressing issues with exterior accessories. Additionally, there are a few customer complaints about windshield issues.
The windshield has a propensity to crack quickly, according to CarComplaints. And so far, every incident has taken place while driving normally.
Another complaint from the NHTSA supports these ones from the consumers. One 2022 Telluride owner hadn’t even had the car for a week when the windshield started to shatter in the middle of a calm day.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that there are extremely few instances of these issues. The rest of the car receives great marks for the majority of factors and is a dependable SUV. So the Telluride is a vehicle to consider if you’re shopping for a secondhand SUV.
These are the ideal vehicles for college students since they can transport you, your friends, and your belongings everywhere you need to go, whether you need to squeeze into a small campus parking space or transport ten loads of laundry home.
Kia Telluride Years to Avoid
The Kia Telluride years to avoid only comprise the initial year of production of the SUV, as was said in the introduction:
Kia Telluride 2020
What is the NHTSA’s and consumers’ main grievance, then? The headlights can develop a malfunction, claims CarComplaints.
Furthermore, considering that this problem only occurred at low mileage, it may recur at any point while you are the 2020 Telluride’s owner.
It’s important to note that this issue persisted even after the bulbs were changed. 37 NHTSA complaints have added to this reality.
In addition to the current issue with malfunctioning headlights, customers have also complained that the headlights cast a dim light.
Similar to the issue with the broken headlights, the poor illumination happened when the mileage was low. At the time of reporting, the standard was 15,000 people.
Overview of Kia Telluride Problems by Year
Let’s take a minute to quickly go through the main issues and what they imply to you now that we’ve covered the main issues with the 2020 Kia Telluride.
You might not be particularly knowledgeable about your car’s brakes unless you’re a mechanic or a super-committed auto enthusiast. How much time do they usually last? How frequently should brakes be replaced? We have solutions.
Kia Telluride: Faulty Headlights
The SUV made its debut in 2020, which just so happens to be the only Kia Telluride year to stay away from.
It’s fascinating to note that every other small issue revolves around headlights. While other drivers reported that their low beams remained fully functional, their high beams entirely failed.
Additionally, there have been allegations of the Telluride’s headlights abruptly and automatically altering brightness levels.
Additionally, other people tried in vain to turn on the high beams. It is obvious that the 2020 Tellurides has an underlying issue that impacts the headlights.
Unfortunately, there isn’t just one main issue that has to be addressed. As you now know, there are many different headlight problems that could occur.
Does that imply that none of the 2020 Kia Telluride cars will be produced? No, not always. Given the small number of complaints, it is safe to assume that not all 2020 vehicles have issues with their headlights.
It’s likely that buying a used SUV will make you happy if you’re seeking for a dependable SUV. Overall, Tellurides is receiving favorable reviews.
The SUV is cozy, has a ton of extra features and options, and is generally very dependable. It should be a wise purchase as long as the used vehicle you’re thinking about purchasing doesn’t have the headlight problem.
In Closing
Undoubtedly, the Kia Telluride is still a young SUV. Since it just recently hit the market in 2020, it might be years before other problems appear (if there are any).
But until then, we must rely on the data that is already available. And based on what we already know, the Telluride is a dependable performer that competes successfully in the congested SUV market. As a result, the Kia Telluride should suit your needs if you’re seeking for an SUV that gets good reviews.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The simplest way to purchase a car is using the CoPilot auto shopping app. You may create a customized list of the top car listings in your area by telling us what you’re looking for, and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area.
Just seeking for more recent models? The search engine for virtually new vehicles is CoPilot Compare. only observe recentfive years or lessautos with little mileage. The greatest place to look for off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO vehicles is CoPilot Compare.
What’s best? We have more information on each vehicle than our rivals since CoPilot was developed using the same technologies that dealerships use to acquire and sell their inventories. Since CoPilot doesn’t partner with automakers, there aren’t any sponsored posts or other dubious tacticsjust the most information about the best vehicles. To learn more about CoPilot’s operation, see our About Us page.
Is the Kia Telluride spacious?
With easy access to all three rows, the Telluride offers a very roomy and upscale-feeling cabin. Both the second and third rows have ample passenger room. The numerous wide windows contribute to the room’s feeling of openness. Only the front passenger’s knee space is a little restricted.
How high a seat does a Kia Telluride have?
Before discussing the Kia Telluride’s ground clearance, it is important to understand what ground clearance is and how it relates to your car.
The minimum space, excluding the tires, between the road and the vehicle’s lowest portion is known as ground clearance.
Even though it can seem like one of those trivial facts, paying attention to a vehicle’s ground clearance can reveal a lot about it. If you know what you’re looking for, you can greatly influence your purchase decision just by examining a vehicle’s ride height.
The Importance of Ground Clearance
Which roads it is intended for may be determined by looking at the ground clearance. Additionally, it affects a wide range of vehicle characteristics, including load capacity, comfort on the road, safety, and many more.
Let’s talk about how a vehicle’s ground clearance impacts it before comparing it to the Kia Telluride’s clearance.
Ground Clearance and the Purpose of the Vehicle
The terrain you want to drive your automobile on will primarily determine the benefits and drawbacks of high versus low ground clearance.
The Kia Telluride’s 8.0-inch ground clearance is perfect for city driving for the reasons we’ll cover a little later. It can go off-road, although not frequently or on long journeys. Due to its 8-inch height, it won’t be able to pass all obstacles because off-roading requires a minimum ground clearance height of 8.5 inches.
Although the Kia Telluride’s suspension can handle off-road driving, its 8.0-inch ground clearance makes off-roading unsafe. Even if it would be a little pricey, lifting the Kia Telluride would be a lot of fun. You are free to choose, but we advise it.
If you want to drive the Kia Telluride off-road, you’ll need to spend a little extra money. It is still a fantastic pavement car, though.
How Does Ground Clearance Affect Visibility?
In addition to being suitable for driving on rocky and uneven terrain, a vehicle with high ground clearance also improves road vision. You can see over other cars on the road because to the higher ground clearance, which makes it much simpler to anticipate traffic jams.
We have a selection of quick two-seaters if you’re in the market. See our ranking of the top two-seater vehicles available today.
How Does Ground Clearance Affect Performance?
Although there isn’t much of a difference in performance between high ride height cars and those with lower ground clearance, the variations should be taken into account. If you don’t intend to drive your Kia Telluride to a drag strip, the performance will deteriorate, but you won’t notice it.
Those who have lifted their cars found that it made the fuel economy worse. This occurs as a result of increased aerodynamic drag brought on by larger tires’ higher rolling resistance, heavier overall weight, and higher profile.
Lifting your vehicle can increase the difficulty of navigating a tight turn and increase the risk of a rollover. At a drag strip, you might see a big pickup or an SUV, but not often at a circuit track.
How Does Ground Clearance Affect Comfort?
Another important factor in the majority of purchases of SUVs by non-sports vehicle enthusiasts is comfort. High ground clearance adds to the comfort of an SUV, which is designed to be comfy.
Higher ground clearance enables much softer suspension settings. Running into a pothole won’t feel like you fell from 15 feet, and you won’t feel every flaw in the road.
Occasionally, buying a car can be frustrating, especially if you’re doing it through a dealership. We’re here to give you advice on how to handle a scenario in which a dealer won’t revoke your extended warranty.
Kia Telluride Ground Clearance Comparison
The Telluride is Kia’s newest SUV. Its debut model year is 2020, and all grades have an 8-inch ground clearance. However, let’s compare the ground clearance of the Kia Telluride to that of comparable SUVs.
The Kia Telluride features a ride height that is 8 inches, as we’ve already established. There are a few lower ride height SUVs, albeit they are somewhat hard to locate. A tiny automobile like a Honda Civic, which has 6 inches of ground clearance, is comparable to the Ford Puma’s 6.5 inches of ground clearance. The Kia Telluride has the best ground clearance if you aren’t a short individual who needs a lower vehicle.
Now, a Toyota 4Runner with its 9.6 inches would be a better alternative if you want to take your new car on off-roading excursions. It’s a vehicle made specifically for off-roading. A lift kit may be expensive, but it’s totally worth it if you adore the Kia Telluride and want to use it off-road.
Kia Telluride Ground Clearance: Good for Off-Road?
The Telluride will make it simple for you if ground clearance is your primary deciding factor since it is the identical at 8.0 inches for all trims. The Telluride has some real off-roading prowess despite not having the best ground clearance in its class. Although not designed for off-road driving, the SUV has good departure angles.
We’re not encouraging you to go rock climbing in your Telluride, despite the fact that Kia is known for producing some of the most dependable cars on the market, but you should be aware that it’s a capable SUV for off-roading. The largest Kia has excellent center clutch performance, which evenly transfers torque from the front to the rear. By applying the brakes when a tire is sliding, the Telluride’s traction control may easily simulate the function of a locker.
Excellent value can be found in the base Kia Telluride vehicle. It has plenty of common tech features and seating for up to eight people to keep you safe, secure, and entertained. But the EX level is also a fantastic value because it comes with heated leather seats and a wireless charging station.
The Beginning of Your Kia Telluride Adventures
The production of the brand-new Kia Telluride started in 2019. We don’t yet know exactly how the car will change in appearance over the following years. The SUV needs more time to establish its value in the automobile industry. However, the Kia Telluride’s ground clearance struck the mark in terms of finding a well-rounded selection.
For the city, eight inches of ground clearance is ideal because it provides you all the benefits with barely perceptible drawbacks. Your SUV will allow you to travel comfortably, and the ability to see over other cars will allow you to avoid traffic jams altogether. You can still take it off-road, just not on particularly difficult, rocky terrains. You will require a lift kit for that.
Overall, the Kia Telluride appears promising, and we anticipate that it will gain popularity over time.