Used 2021 Kia Telluride for Sale nearDurham, NC

How much does the 2021 Kia Telluride cost?

Prices have softened 11.96% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,832 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 the expert notes also point to fairly pedestrian performance. For you, that means the Telluride makes the most sense if you want a family-focused three-row SUV with upscale appeal rather than quick acceleration.

The market still shows solid interest, with 37.8% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Kia Telluride reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with owners emphasizing safety, value, and the kind of long-term confidence that makes a used SUV easier to live with. The expert notes also reinforce that Kia’s warranty coverage is a major ownership perk, including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage, and five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about finding a well-kept example, since condition and maintenance history will matter most over time.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on wear, electronics, and any signs of hard family use. Pay close attention to trim-specific equipment, since some of the most desirable features are reserved for higher versions.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX, S, EX, and SX trims span the lineup, and the base LX is the most stripped-down version. The S is called out as a strong value, while the SX can be upgraded 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. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional with a low-speed Lock function.
• Safety package: Every version gets Kia’s Drive Wise collection, 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, 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 version 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 the evaluation loop.

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. It gets the standard safety suite and the 8-inch touchscreen, but it leaves out the richer equipment found higher up.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment without jumping too far in price. It’s the trim the expert specifically calls out as providing significant value.
• EX: Choose this if you want a more upscale daily driver, since it adds the 10.25-inch screen, navigation, Highway Drive Assist, Driver Talk, Quiet Mode, and self-leveling rear suspension.
• SX: This is the one to buy if you want the most luxury-like experience, especially with the Prestige package. It adds the richest cabin materials and the most advanced convenience and safety upgrades, including the surround-view camera system and Blind-Spot View Monitor.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, but Highway Drive Assist is limited to EX and SX, and the most advanced camera-based blind-spot feature is SX-only.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile opportunities.

• Deal availability: 37.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,832 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.96% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,963, 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 $22,963 sits slightly below last year's $26,082.

That price movement suggests the Telluride has softened from its earlier peak, which can help you as a buyer but may temper near-term resale expectations if you plan to sell soon. For a future seller, the key takeaway is that strong demand can support values, but the market is still adjusting from a higher price base. If you buy well and keep the SUV in strong condition, you should be better positioned when it’s time to trade or sell.

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 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.

Kia’s Drive Wise suite is standard on every version, and it 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.

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 that the Top Safety Pick rating may not continue because of the Poor-rated performance of the standard headlights.

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:

• 37.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.96% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.89/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds useful updates like the Nightfall Edition package, a remote engine-start button on the key fob, and more LED headlights.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $19,530, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,963 average.
• It offers standout space and value for families who want a roomy three-row SUV.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $26,516, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,963 average.
• It adds more standard equipment to keep the Telluride competitive.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and current market availability, the 2021 is the sweet spot. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the better 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 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.