In 2019, when it first hit the market, it was a revelation. The 2022 Kia Telluride is already in its third model year and is still going strong. In fact, the Telluride is still selling for more than the sticker price because of the intense demand and supply constraints. Still, we think the Telluride, which costs between $33,090 and over $51,000 when fully outfitted, is the best value in its segment (if you can nab one at MSRP).
But if a dealer adds a $10,000 market adjustment to the sticker pricewhich is typical in this marketthe Telluride will be priced on par with high-end vehicles like the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60. We still think the Telluride is the best vehicle in its class and a strong competitor even with a significant markup after spending a week in a well-equipped SX Prestige variant.
In This Article...
Does the Kia Telluride have a good market?
The Telluride has wowed purchasers and critics alike since it first hit the market. Despite the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic issues, it experienced record sales in 2020 and again in 2021. Kia nonetheless managed to keep the Telluride SUV at the top of the sales lists despite supply chain problems and a scarcity of semiconductor chips.
If buyers could find a new Telluride SUV, the dealerships adjusted the price to significantly above MSRP. Practices like this succeed because people are consistently willing to pay more for a car that someone else wants. The Telluride SUV was a victim of this scheme before these “market adjustments” were common.
According to Kia’s 2021 sales figures, the Telluride wasn’t even the brand’s best-selling vehicle: the Kia Forte, which sold 115,929 units, was the best-seller, followed by the Sportage SUV, which sold 94,601 units, and the Telluride, which placed in third with 93,705 units sold.
Why is it so difficult to locate a Kia Telluride?
It is nearly hard to find a new Kia Telluride due to high demand and a global shortage of semiconductor chips. And if you can find one, you’ll have to pay significantly more than the list price to buy it.
Since there aren’t many new cars available, prospective Telluride buyers have turned to the used car market in the hopes of locating one. However, a recent study claims that this is a horrible idea because used Kia Tellurides are even more expensive than brand-new ones!
Do Kia Tellurides have issues?
Driving Some Telluride owners claim that severe vibration happens between 55 and 70 mph.
NHTSA Campaign Number 21V164000 states that some impacted vehicles may fail to recognize when a child restraint device is in the front passenger seat and may instead deploy the airbag, potentially injuring a serious person.
With fewer than 5,000 miles on it, several owners of the brand-new Telluride claim it won’t accelerate to highway speeds. Others on the road have reported that their Telluride frequently shifts into neutral as they are moving.
Possible Causes and Solutions
Powertrain problems result in excessive vibration, abrupt shifting, and a difficulty to travel at typical highway speeds.
Some customers claim that Kia replaces the driveshafts and AWD couplers to fix problems. Kia appears to be giving customers fixes at random. Some owners claim they were successful in getting the powertrain of their car fixed. Others, however, are unable to contact Kia for assistance.
Verify Your Warranties
Owners of Kia vehicles who have faults with their powertrains typically do so far in advance of the 10-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty from Kia. Any repairs required to get your car back in good condition should be covered by this warranty.
Call your local Kia dealer
To schedule a diagnosis and repair, make an appointment with your local Kia dealer or service facility.
Note: To restore power to the transmission if your Telluride switches into neutral while you’re driving, turn off the engine and restart the car.
While waiting for your repair to be finished, get in touch with the nearby service center right once to make arrangements for a rental vehicle.
What are the Kia Telluride’s shortcomings?
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. Not Quite Effective
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.
2. Square Frame
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. One engine only
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 Can Be Perplexing
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.
What price range should I aim for in a 2020 Kia Telluride?
The Kia Telluride LX trim level’s Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at $32,785, which includes $1,095 in necessary destination charges for shipping the SUV from the factory to your neighborhood dealership. A Telluride S costs $35,085, an EX costs $38,185, and an SX costs $42,585.