Used 2021 Kia Telluride for Sale nearBakersfield, CA

How much does the 2021 Kia Telluride cost?

Prices have softened 12.03% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,813 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

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. They also like the modern design and advanced technology, and many compare it favorably to more expensive brands. The main trade-off is that it can feel sluggish from a stop, and some owners mention limited storage space for personal items.

That fits the Telluride’s role as a family-focused midsize, three-row SUV with premium-feeling materials and broad appeal. With 38.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still gives you room to shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Kia Telluride reliable?

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

Owner feedback points to a reliable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise centered on safety, value, and the kind of everyday usefulness that helps a vehicle feel dependable over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes Kia’s strong warranty coverage and the SUV’s solid, composed behavior on the road.

Kia’s warranty coverage adds another ownership advantage, including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that condition and maintenance history matter more than reputation alone, so a careful inspection still matters.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status does not guarantee perfect condition. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a higher-mileage example or one with added equipment. Focus on wear items, interior condition, and how well the vehicle’s features operate in daily use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX, S, EX, and SX trims span the lineup, and the base trim leaves out some of the upscale touches found higher up. If you want the most premium feel, the SX with the Prestige package adds stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display, and heated and ventilated second-row seats.
• Powertrain: Every 2021 Telluride uses a 3.8-liter V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 291 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is optional and adds a low-speed Lock function.
• 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 model 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 testing returned 20.5 mpg on a mixed route.

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, but it still gives you the Telluride’s core strengths, including the standard safety suite, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the 8-inch touchscreen. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment without pushing the price too far up. It keeps the Telluride’s strong value story intact while giving you a more appealing feature mix than the LX.
• EX: This is the smart upgrade if you want more comfort and convenience, including the larger 10.25-inch screen, navigation, Highway Drive Assist, Driver Talk, Quiet Mode, and the self-leveling rear suspension. It is a strong choice if you regularly carry passengers or want a more polished daily driver.
• SX: This is the top trim for shoppers who want the most luxury-like experience, with standard Harman Kardon audio, front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and access to the Prestige package. It suits you best if you want the most upscale Telluride possible.

Highway Drive Assist is standard with EX and SX, while SX also gets the most exclusive safety and camera features.

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

This is a moderate market, so you should shop selectively and move quickly when you find a strong listing.

• Deal availability: 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,813 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.03% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,039, 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 $23,041 sits slightly below last year's $26,191.

That decline suggests the Telluride has become more accessible on the used market, which can help you buy at a better entry point today. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment. Well-kept examples with desirable features should still attract attention, but the broader market trend is softer than it was a year ago.

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 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it earns a five-star overall 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.

Kia’s standard Drive Wise suite 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, and automatic emergency braking. Rear Occupant Alert and Safe Exit Assist are also included, and Highway Drive Assist is standard on EX and SX.

A caveat to keep in mind is that the IIHS rating may not continue for the 2021 calendar year because of the Poor-rated performance of the standard headlights. SX also gets extra safety hardware, including front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and Blind-Spot View Monitor.

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:

• 38.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.03% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.89/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds a Nightfall Edition package, a new remote engine-start button on the key fob, a seven-pin trailering harness, and more LED headlights.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $19,671, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,041 average.
• It offers strong value and a spacious cabin.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $26,701, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,041 average.
• It adds more standard equipment for a more competitive feature set.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and market availability, the 2021 is the sweet spot. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the value play, 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 October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.