Used 2021 Kia Telluride for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Kia Telluride cost?

Prices have softened 12.23% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,715 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare trims and conditions. If you find a listing below $23,463.08, 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.

That fits the Telluride’s role as a midsize, three-row SUV that emphasizes broad usefulness, premium-feeling materials, and family-friendly appeal. With 32.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, 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 strong satisfaction around safety, space, and overall value. The expert evaluation also reinforces that impression by describing the Telluride as a well-sorted SUV with excellent value and a strong sense of quality in daily use.

Kia’s warranty coverage adds another layer of reassurance for used buyers, especially if you want a family SUV you can count on over time. Even so, you should still check service records and condition carefully, since long-term ownership risk depends on how the previous owner maintained it.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.6% — 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 vehicles with towing use. Focus on overall condition, because family SUVs can hide wear in the cabin, cargo area, and second-row seating.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX, S, EX, and SX trims span a wide range of equipment, and the base LX and S use an 8-inch touchscreen while EX and SX move to a 10.25-inch display with navigation. The SX can be optioned 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, 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 includes 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: Every Telluride has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. LX and S use an 8-inch screen, while EX and SX get a 10.25-inch screen, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and connected-services features.
• 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, but it still gives you the core Telluride formula: a roomy three-row layout, standard safety tech, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the 8-inch touchscreen. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model, but you give up the richer tech and convenience upgrades found higher up.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment without jumping all the way to the top. It’s the trim the source material calls out as a significant value play, so it’s the one to target if you want the strongest balance of price and features.
• EX: This is the smart step-up if you want more comfort and convenience. You get the larger 10.25-inch screen, navigation, self-leveling rear suspension, Driver Talk, Quiet Mode, and Highway Drive Assist, making it a strong choice for families who want more polish.
• SX: This is the most upscale choice, especially if you want the Prestige package. It adds the most luxury-like features, including premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display, heated and ventilated second-row seats, and exclusive safety hardware such as front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and Blind-Spot View Monitor.

Highway Drive Assist is standard on EX and SX, while the SX also gets the most exclusive safety and luxury upgrades.

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

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

• Deal availability: 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,715 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.23% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,463.08, 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 $23,479 sits slightly below last year's $26,751.

That price movement suggests the Telluride has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy well and keep the SUV in strong condition, you may be starting from a more favorable value position than a buyer who paid closer to new-car pricing. Demand should remain supported by the model’s strong reputation and broad appeal.

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?

It earns a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It earns four-star ratings in frontal crash for both the driver and front passenger, and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA tests.

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

Every version gets Kia’s Drive Wise suite, including 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 weigh the safety rating when shopping used examples.

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:

• 32.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.23% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.89/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds a new Nightfall Edition package and more LED headlight availability.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,020, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,479 average.
• It launched as a spacious, value-focused three-row SUV with strong family appeal.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,288, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,479 average.
• It adds more standard equipment to keep the Telluride competitive.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, satisfaction, and current-market availability, the 2021 is the primary 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 September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.