How much does the 2021 Kia Telluride cost?

Prices have softened 12.34% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,601 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $23,503.45, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Kia Telluride a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Kia Telluride earns a 4.89/5 user rating and a 9.33/10 expert rating.

The model scores 10/10 across Form and function and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise its safety features, spacious interior, and great value for money, and they also like the modern design and advanced technology. The main trade-offs are that it can feel sluggish from a stop and storage space for personal items is limited.

For you, that means the Telluride makes the most sense if you want a three-row SUV that feels upscale, useful, and well equipped rather than especially quick. It also fits shoppers who want broad appeal and premium touches without moving into a luxury badge.

Good and great deals account for 28.1% of listings, so you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Kia Telluride reliable?

Owners rate it 4.89/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, with praise centered on safety, value, and the kind of ownership experience people feel good about over time. The expert drive notes also emphasize Kia’s strong warranty coverage, which adds peace of mind for used buyers.

The Telluride’s overall package suggests low day-to-day ownership stress if you buy a well-kept example, but you should still pay close attention to maintenance history and condition because long-term wear matters on a family SUV.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Kia Telluride?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on higher-mileage examples or SUVs with lots of family use. Focus on interior wear, electronics, and signs that the vehicle has been used hard rather than just how shiny it looks in photos.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX, S, EX, and SX trims span a wide spread of equipment, and the base trim leaves out some of the upscale touches found higher up. The SX is the one that can be optioned into a more luxury-like setup, while the Nightfall Edition package adds a blacked-out appearance on EX and SX.
• Powertrain: You get a single 3.8-liter V6 with an eight-speed automatic, making 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. AWD is optional, and it adds a low-speed Lock function for extra traction.
• Safety package: Every version gets Kia’s Drive Wise suite with blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology with lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-monitoring system, and automatic emergency braking. Highway Drive Assist is standard on EX and SX, while SX adds front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and Blind-Spot View Monitor.
• Infotainment: LX and S use an 8-inch touchscreen, while EX and SX get a 10.25-inch screen with navigation. Every trim includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, and upper trims add wireless smartphone charging.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD model should return 21 mpg in combined driving, and the test loop returned 20.5 mpg.

Which 2021 Kia Telluride trim should I buy?

The 2021 Kia Telluride is offered in 4 trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, so it makes sense if you want the Telluride’s core space, safety, and value without paying for extras you may not need.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment while staying below the higher-priced versions.
• EX: Choose this if you want a stronger mix of comfort and technology, including the larger infotainment screen and Highway Drive Assist.
• SX: This is the one to buy if you want the most upscale Telluride experience, especially with the Prestige package and its luxury-like upgrades.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, but Highway Drive Assist is reserved for EX and SX, and SX gets the most exclusive safety hardware.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Kia Telluride?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 28.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,601 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.34% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,503.45, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Kia Telluride's resale value?

The current average of $23,492 sits slightly below last year's $26,800.

That price movement suggests the Telluride has softened enough to create a better entry point for you as a buyer, but it also means a future seller may not see the same upside that early owners enjoyed. Even so, strong demand and broad appeal can help support pricing better than you might expect for a family SUV.

If you buy well and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you improve your odds of holding value more effectively. The market still shows meaningful interest in this model year, which helps cushion resale pressure.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.89/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Kia Telluride safe?

The 2021 Telluride earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, and it earns an overall five-star rating from NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact results for both the driver and front passenger.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Every version gets Kia’s Drive Wise suite, which includes blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology with lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-monitoring system, automatic emergency braking, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Assist. Highway Drive Assist is standard on EX and SX, and SX adds front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and Blind-Spot View Monitor.

One caveat is that the IIHS rating may not carry forward because of the standard headlights’ poor-rated performance, so you should pay close attention to lighting equipment and overall condition when shopping used.

Should I buy a 2021 Kia Telluride or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 28.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.34% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.89/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds a Nightfall Edition package, a new remote-start button on the key fob, and more LED headlights.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,166, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,492 average.
• The debut Telluride impressed buyers with standout space and value.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,439, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,492 average.
• The 2022 adds more standard equipment to keep the Telluride highly competitive.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, equipment, and availability, the 2021 is the sweet spot to target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 makes sense if you want to pay more for added standard equipment.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.