Used 2021 Kia Telluride for Sale near California

How much does the 2021 Kia Telluride cost?

Prices have softened 12.04% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,827 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 4.9/5 user rating and a 9.3/10 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-offs are that it can feel sluggish from a stop and storage space for personal items can be limited.

That fits a family-focused three-row SUV that emphasizes value, style, and everyday usefulness over outright performance. With 36.6% 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 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. Reviews also point to a reliable, dependable, and trouble-free ownership experience, with many owners saying they feel confident counting on it over the long term.

The expert notes reinforce that impression by emphasizing Kia’s strong warranty coverage and the SUV’s cost-effective ownership profile. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about basic durability and more about finding one that has been maintained well and not worn hard.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the interior, electronics, and any signs of hard family use, since condition can vary a lot from one example to the next. Focus on how well the vehicle has been cared for, not just how it looks in photos.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: LX, S, EX, and SX are the four trim levels. The LX and S use an 8-inch touchscreen, while the EX and SX move up to a 10.25-inch screen and add a navigation system. If you want the most upscale feel, the SX can be paired with a Prestige package that adds premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display, and heated and ventilated second-row seats.
• Powertrain: You get a single 3.8-liter V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 291 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. AWD adds a low-speed Lock function, and the SUV’s tuning is aimed more at smooth, composed family driving than sporty performance.
• Safety package: Every version gets Kia’s Drive Wise collection, 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, 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 come with an 8-inch touchscreen, while EX and SX upgrade to a 10.25-inch display with navigation. Every version includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Wireless smartphone charging is available on upper trims, and connected services include remote engine start and climate-control functions depending on package.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA says an AWD Telluride 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, and it gives you the Telluride’s core strengths without stretching the budget. You still get the standard safety suite, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the same V6 powertrain, so it covers the basics well if you want value first.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment without jumping too far in price. It keeps the Telluride’s strong value story intact while giving you a more appealing mix of features than the LX.
• EX: This is the trim to target if you want a more upscale daily driver. It adds the larger 10.25-inch screen, navigation, Highway Drive Assist, Driver Talk, Quiet Mode, and self-leveling rear suspension, making it a strong choice for families who want more comfort and tech.
• SX: This is the most luxurious mainstream choice, especially if you add the Prestige package. It brings the most premium cabin feel, plus exclusive safety and parking tech, but it makes the most sense if you want the top-end experience rather than the best bargain.

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

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 36.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,827 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.04% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,691, 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 $22,691 sits slightly below last year's $25,796.

That decline suggests the Telluride has become more accessible on the used market, which is good news if you’re buying now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim appeal rather than assuming the model will hold every dollar of its original price. The upside is that strong demand and a broad shopper base can still support healthy interest when it’s time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, 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). In testing performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it earns four-star frontal-impact ratings for both the driver and front passenger and an overall five-star rating.

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

Every version includes Kia’s Drive Wise safety 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, and SX adds front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and Blind-Spot View Monitor.

The main caveat is the IIHS note about standard headlights, which may affect how you interpret the rating depending on test year and equipment.

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:

• 36.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.04% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds useful updates like the Nightfall Edition package, more LED headlights, and a revised remote-start key fob.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $19,259, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,691 average.
• It offers strong value and a spacious cabin.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $26,095, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,691 average.
• It adds more standard equipment and stays highly competitive.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the sweet spot if you want the updated Telluride formula with strong market availability and a softer used price than newer models. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the better budget play; if you want more standard equipment and don’t mind paying more, the 2022 is the upgrade path.

How does the 2021 Kia Telluride compare to the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Kia Telluride:

• Pros: Excellent value for money, Stylish design, Premium interior materials.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance.

2021 Hyundai Palisade:

• Pros: Stylish design, Premium interior materials, Spacious third row.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance.

Our experts score the 2021 Kia Telluride 9.3/10 and the 2021 Hyundai Palisade 9/10. The Telluride edges ahead on value, while the Palisade counters with a spacious third row. Both share the same basic strengths in style and cabin quality, and both are held back by fairly pedestrian performance.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.