A three-row SUV with a boxy look and an extensive list of standard amenities, many of which are active safety systems, is called the Telluride. Up to eight passengers can fit insideseven with the second-row captain’s chairsand the vehicle is powered by a standard 3.8-liter V-6 engine that generates 291 horsepower and pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride competes with the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander and offers front- and all-wheel-drive variants.
In This Article...
What Features in the 2021 Kia Telluride Are Most Important?
Typical characteristics include:
- Maximum towing capability of 5,000 pounds
- alloy 18-inch wheels
- Multimedia system with an 8-inch touchscreen
- smartphone compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Radio via satellite
- Emergency braking on demand
- Lane-keeping aid
- Stop-and-go functionality for adaptive cruise control
Features that are available are:
- alloy 20-inch wheels
- automatic motorized liftgate
- automatic rear suspension
- Captain’s chairs in the second row
- seats with leather trim
- Front and center seats that are heated and ventilated
- Warming the steering wheel
- touchscreen navigation system with 10.25 inches
- Premium stereo from Harman Kardon
- wireless charging of equipment
- a system with a 360-degree view
- display in the head
Should I Buy the 2021 Kia Telluride?
If you’re looking for a three-row SUV that’s big on value and even bigger on interior space and standard equipment, the Telluride is unquestionably a contender. Highlights include a luxurious cabin and a smooth ride, and the Telluride placed a strong second in our latest comparative test of three-row SUVs. The Telluride’s audio systems, though, didn’t particularly excite us, and we thought the default lane-keeping system was too harsh.
Is the 2021 Kia Telluride on sale?
LX, S, EX, and SX are the four trim levels available for the 2021 Kia Telluride. For the majority of consumers, the base Telluride LX is a fantastic choice. It provides the same V6 engine and automatic transmission as the higher trims, and it comes well-equipped with standard safety and technological equipment.
What should I anticipate paying for a 2021 Kia Telluride?
$32,190 MSRP for a Kia Telluride LX. $34,590 MSRP for a Kia Telluride S. $37,590 MSRP for a Kia Telluride EX. Kia Telluride SX, MSRP $42,490.
How much does a 2021 Kia Telluride come equipped?
You’re looking at a total of $53,770 (minus a $1,255 destination fee) if you include all the options you can. Here is a brief summary of what you receive for that cost. Four-wheel drive Add $1,200. Seven-person seating with captain’s seats in the second row: SX trim includes.
Will a 2022 Kia Telluride be released?
More standard features, such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen, GPS, and adaptive cruise control with steering assist, are added to the 2022 Kia Telluride. A slightly updated grille and updated badging are visible on the exterior. The Telluride was introduced in 2020 as Kia’s three-row, family-sized crossover SUV.
What distinguishes the Kia Telluride models from 2021 and 2022?
2021 vs. 2022 What’s the Difference with a Kia Telluride? For 2022, Kia will upgrade the Telluride’s list of standard equipment to include a 10.25-inch touch screen, dual-zone automatic climate control, and highway driving assistance. Standard wireless device charging is also added to the Telluride S trim.
The Kia Telluride is dependable in 2021.
Kia has worked diligently on the Telluride to make sure it is a dependable and safe vehicle. The 2021 Telluride was ranked third among midsize SUVs by U.S. News, only below the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Palisade.
The SUV received a 9.5 out of 10 safety rating from U.S. News. The majority of crash tests received “good” ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This comprises the front crash prevention, roof strength, side impact, and rear crash safety elements.
The side collision rating and overall crash safety rating both received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Both the rollover and frontal crash portions received four out of five ratings.
The Kia Telluride boasts room for the entire family and convenient conveniences. It can accommodate seven or eight passengers and has room for any adventures you may throw at it in the seating area and cargo section.
Are you able to haggle with Kia?
When negotiating a fantastic bargain, having knowledge about the dealer cost of a new Kia gives you the necessary leverage. On your next purchase, you can save thousands of dollars if you bargain from the cost up rather than the MSRP down.
When ordered, how long does it take to receive a Kia Telluride?
What occurs afterwards when a new Kia is ordered? one of two possibilities We often receive shipments of new Kia cars, and if one of them matches your requirements, we’ll reserve it for you and contact you when it shows up.
You could send the Kia factory your specifications in addition to placing an order. In that instance, the car might be constructed entirely based on your order. With an order, the process can generally take three months, but occasionally, a new car that meets your requirements could show up in just a few weeks. In either situation, the time may vary, but if you order a new Kia from us, we’ll keep you informed every step of the process.
What drawbacks does the Kia Telluride have?
Ten Arguments in Favor of Buying a Kia Telluride and a Few Arguments Against
The Telluride has received a lot of favorable press ever since it made its debut in 2019. With this three-row SUV, Kia has provided clients with a fashionable, dependable, and contemporary car. The 2021 Kia Telluride has plenty of technology and a luxurious feel. It would be a fantastic option for anyone looking for a roomy car with good handling.
Given how recent the Telluride is on the market, it makes natural that Kia hasn’t made many changes for the Telluride’s second model year. The majority of the mechanical parts are still in place, and the cabin still feels the same.
The 2021 improvements are largely aesthetic. For instance, LED headlights are now an option on the EX model, and there are two new paint shades (Black Copper and Sangria). The trailer harness has been improved from a four-pin connection to a seven-pin connection, and the key fob now has a “On” button so users can simply turn on their engines remotely. Anyone seeking a brash, urban appearance can now purchase the new Nightfall bundle. It has various components, including 20-inch wheels and a black grille.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2021 Kia TellurideThe Pros
Rev up the Engine
The large, highly capable engine that powers the 2021 Kia Telluride packs a lot of power. The Telluride’s 3.8 liter V6 engine provides effortless performance in a variety of conditions. With 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, it is powerful. Additionally, people have some flexibility in terms of moving freight because to the 5,000-pound towing capability. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that has a Sportmatic sports shifter for drivers who occasionally like the feel of a manual transmission.
2. Travel off-road
An on-demand all-wheel drive system is offered on all Telluride levels. It can keep an eye on how the wheels are doing and adjust the power supply if slippage is noticed. There is a means to lock in all-wheel drive for those situations where it is desired continuously. Additionally, a snow mode for the winter climate exists.
The Telluride offers a comparatively pleasant ride even on rough roads. It has a strong suspension system that can smooth out some of the peaks and valleys one might experience off the main track. An optional self-leveling rear suspension is offered with the SUV’s top two grades. This could improve handling even more.
3. A selection of price points
There are four Telluride models, thus Kia has been able to meet a range of price points. With a starting price of little under $32,000, the Telluride’s LX trim is reasonably priced given its size, functionality, and features. Given their enhancements, the price increases for the S and EX are each a few thousand dollars, which is more than reasonable.
The SX is priced at $42,190, which is at the high end of the spectrum. The SX may no longer be affordable for many clients as a result, but not necessarily for all. Customers who desire luxury amenities but aren’t willing to spend more than $50,000 on their next vehicles may find it to be a decent deal.
4. Plenty of Cargo Room
Three-row SUVs occasionally don’t have much room behind the back row of seats. With the Telluride, which offers 21 cubic feet of storage space in the back, this isn’t the case. This is ideal for many people who are constantly moving and need to tote a lot of equipment. The third seat may be folded down to generate 46 cubic feet of storage space, and the cargo volume can be increased to 87 cubic feet by lowering the second and third rows.
5. Straighten Your Legs
People need space to spread out and feel comfortable, especially on long road trips. There is 41.4 inches of legroom in the Telluride’s front row. There is considerably more space in the second row, where there is 42.4 inches of legroom. Since there is just 31.4 inches of legroom in the third row, children should sit there.
Select Your Cabin Configuration in Step 6
Either eight or seven people can be accommodated in the 2021 Kia Telluride. For the middle and third rows of the eight-person seating arrangement, bench chairs are used. The second row of the seven-passenger configuration has captain’s seats. This configuration appeals to some individuals since it gives the second-row passengers a more comfortable space to unwind and gives the cabin a bigger sense. Keep in mind that the LX has eight-passenger seats, the S and SX are equipped with captain’s chairs, and the EX offers passengers the option of either.
7. Put safety first
There are numerous driver-assistance features that come standard on all Telluride levels. Automatic emergency braking can lessen the likelihood that the Telluride will collide with other cars or pedestrians in its path. Drivers can better understand who is nearby thanks to blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and a number of devices can keep the SUV centered in its lane. Even if the driver’s eyes aren’t on the road, a driver attentiveness warning feature can identify it.
8. Maintain Contact
The 2021 Kia Telluride has eight-inch touchscreens in the base two trims and 10.25-inch touchscreens in the top two trims. Both Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity are commonplace. The Kia’s cabin has five or six USB ports, depending on the trim, making it possible for practically everyone to keep their gadgets completely charged.
9. Remotely start the engine
Even if the majority of people don’t necessarily need remote start, it’s undeniably a pretty cool function. The 2021 Telluride has an engine-starting button on the key fob, as was discussed before in this review. This is a very useful feature that also allows the temperature control system to start preparing the cabin for comfort.
10. High-end materials
Sofino faux leather is used to cover the seats in the LX and S trim levels. This material is upscale-looking and simple to maintain. Leather seats are added to the EX and SX, and the SX may be had with a high-end Nappa leather material. All grades include leather around the steering wheel, while the S, EX, and SX models also have leather on the shifter. The inside look of some trims is enhanced by woodgrain accents, while the SX sports distinctive stainless-steel pedals and door sill scuff trim.
buying advice
Compare prices online before buying a new car to avoid paying too much. Find out the price in advance before entering a dealership. The following free services are suggested by us: Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect, and Motortrend.
These free sites will provide you the best deals and provide you with numerous price quotations from rival businesses. Before visiting the dealer, you will be aware of the best pricing.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2021 Kia TellurideThe Cons
1. Insufficient Efficiency
The Telluride gets an estimated 20/26 (city/highway) mpg with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive reduces mileage to roughly 19/24 miles per gallon. These figures are by no means impressive, especially when compared to the other hybrids that are readily accessible.
Boxy Frame 2.
Some people like the Telluride’s external design, but not everyone. The Telluride’s frame is boxy and upright, which may turn some people off.
3. a single engine
The 2017 Kia Telluride functions and appears in many ways like a high-end SUV. The availability of multiple engine options with many luxury companies’ automobiles is one distinction, though. The Telluride just has one engine, which is a bad thing. Despite the fact that it has more than enough capacity, customers looking for a vehicle with more than 300 horsepower may not find it appealing.
4. Hills May Be Difficult
There is no equivalent functionality to the hill start assist control function, which helps the SUV move while stopped on a slope. Many SUVs on the market have a hill descent system that regulates the vehicle’s speed when going downhill. Given the weight of these vehicles and the potential for cargo hauling, it can be quite helpful. The Telluride will only require drivers to carefully watch their speed and apply the brakes when necessary.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition:
The 2021 Kia Telluride nevertheless manages to stand out in a crowded market. Comparisons to two other SUVs with comparable features can be found below. We decided on a Honda and a Toyota since they are two enduring leaders in the automotive sector.
Although the engines and capacities of these two vehicles are comparable, the Telluride outperforms the Honda Pilot in a number of crucial respects. First, it boasts greater cargo space behind the third row of seats and more second-row legroom than the Pilot does. Additionally, the Telluride is offered in all trim levels with all-wheel drive. With the Honda, that feature is not available in the base model. The technology bundle in the Telluride is also much more appealing. Its touchscreen sizes range from eight inches on the base model to 10.25 inches on higher trims. Contrarily, the Pilot’s other trims all have eight-inch touchscreens whereas the base model only has a five-inch color LCD screen.
In terms of safety, technology, and performance, the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander from 2021 are comparable. It is unquestionably more expensive than the Kia, though, and for some people, this price difference is reason enough to recommend the Telluride. The base model of the Highlander costs a few thousand dollars more than the base Telluride, which should help clarify the costs. The most expensive Highlander models, which Toyota produces in a variety, cost close to $50,000.
The Kia Telluride has swiftly gained popularity among SUV buyers who want three rows of seating for a variety of reasons. It boasts practical features, a dependable and powerful powertrain, and was created with customers in mind. Its technology was implemented to amuse, educate, and maintain the safety of drivers and their passengers.
The Telluride has undergone a few improvements for 2021, increasing its allure. Overall, this SUV offers a lot of value and would be enjoyable and useful to drive.