Used 2021 Kia Telluride for Sale nearRaleigh, 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 3,700 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and prices.

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 cabin, great value for money, modern design, and advanced technology. The expert review also highlights its stylish design and premium interior materials, while noting that performance is fairly pedestrian and some drivers may find it sluggish from a stop. For you, that means this is a strong fit if you want a well-equipped three-row SUV that feels upscale without moving into luxury-brand pricing.

The market also looks healthy, with 37.4% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Kia Telluride reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, trouble-free, and easy to count on over time, especially for families who value safety and everyday usability. The expert review also emphasizes Kia’s long warranty coverage and roadside assistance, which support confidence in ownership. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about finding a well-kept example that hasn’t been worn down by family use.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are strong but not universal. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on interior wear, electronics, and signs of heavy family use. It also makes sense to compare trim equipment closely, since the Telluride’s value changes a lot depending on how much technology and comfort gear you want.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX, S, EX, and SX trims each bring different equipment levels, and the base trim leaves out some of the more upscale touches you may want. The SX stands out for its luxury-leaning feel, while the S is described as a strong value.
• Powertrain: Every 2021 Telluride uses a 3.8-liter V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is optional. The setup is tuned more for smooth everyday use than excitement.
• 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: LX and S get an 8-inch touchscreen, while EX and SX upgrade to a 10.25-inch screen with navigation. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM are standard, and upper trims add wireless smartphone charging.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD model is said to return 21 mpg in combined driving, and testing returned 20.5 mpg on a mixed 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, and it gives you the Telluride’s core strengths without the higher trim price. It’s the trim to consider if you want the SUV’s value story first and foremost.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment while staying below the more expensive versions. If you want the sweet spot between price and features, this is the one to focus on.
• EX: This trim adds more comfort and convenience, including the larger touchscreen and Highway Drive Assist. It’s a smart choice if you want a more advanced daily driver without going all the way to the top trim.
• SX: This is the most upscale version, and it’s the one to choose if you want the richest interior and the most available tech. It also unlocks the Prestige package, which pushes the Telluride closer to luxury-SUV territory.

Safety-package note: Highway Drive Assist is standard on EX and SX, while SX-exclusive safety gear includes front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and Blind-Spot View Monitor.

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 carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 37.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,700 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.96% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,436, 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 $22,436 sits slightly below last year's $25,483.

That decline suggests the Telluride has become more affordable on the used market, which is good news if you’re buying now but a softer signal if you’re planning to sell soon. For future sellers, the current trend means you should expect pricing pressure unless your vehicle is especially clean, well-equipped, and lightly used. Strong demand and a broad shopper base can still help support value, but the market is clearly more favorable to buyers than sellers right now.

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 IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though NHTSA testing also notes 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. Highway Drive Assist is standard on EX and SX, and it combines adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. SX also 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 whether the rating continues in later testing cycles.

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:

• 37.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.96% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds a Nightfall Edition package, a new remote-start button on the key fob, a seven-pin trailering harness, and more LED headlights.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $19,031, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,436 average.
• It offers a spacious cabin and strong value for families.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $25,750, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,436 average.
• It adds more standard equipment and keeps the Telluride competitive.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want the best mix of value, features, and current market availability. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the better price-first alternative, while the 2022 makes sense if you want the newer equipment and can stretch for it.

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 gets the edge on value, while the Palisade stands out for its spacious third row. Both share the same engine and the same basic performance character, so your choice comes down more to value versus cabin packaging than driving feel.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.