Used 2021 Kia Telluride for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2021 Kia Telluride cost?

Prices have softened 12.15% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,753 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, and they also like its modern design and advanced technology. The main trade-off is that some drivers say it can feel sluggish from a stop, and the expert notes also point to fairly pedestrian performance and limited storage space for personal items.

For shoppers who want a family SUV that feels more upscale than its price suggests, that combination of value, comfort, and broad appeal is a strong fit. With 34.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still gives you 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 reliable, trouble-free, and easy to count on, especially for families who want a dependable three-row SUV. The expert notes also reinforce that impression by emphasizing Kia’s long warranty coverage and the model’s overall cost-effective ownership profile.

Kia’s warranty coverage adds another layer of reassurance for used buyers, but you should still pay close attention to maintenance records and condition because long-term ownership risk always rises when prior care is unclear.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, because accident-free listings are not the same thing as problem-free vehicles. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with optional equipment. Focus on overall condition, signs of wear in the cabin, and whether the features you want are actually present on the trim you’re shopping.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX, S, EX, and SX each bring different equipment levels, and the base trim is the most likely to leave you wanting more. 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: Every version uses a 3.8-liter V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and AWD is optional. The AWD setup adds a low-speed Lock function, and the SUV’s eight inches of ground clearance help it handle rougher conditions better than the front-drive version.
• Safety package: Every Telluride 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 with EX and SX trim, 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 plus navigation. Every version includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and upper trims add wireless smartphone charging.
• 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, so it makes sense if you want the Telluride’s core space, value, and standard safety without paying for extras. It’s the trim most likely to feel basic compared with the others.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment while staying below the upper trims. If you want a smart balance of features and price, this is the one to focus on first.
• EX: This trim is the sweet spot if you want more comfort and convenience, including the larger 10.25-inch screen, navigation, Highway Drive Assist, Driver Talk, Quiet Mode, and self-leveling rear suspension.
• SX: This is the most upscale choice, especially if you want the available Prestige package, the standard 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and the extra safety hardware that comes with the top trim.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, but Highway Drive Assist is reserved for EX and SX, and the SX-exclusive camera-based blind-spot view system is a notable upgrade.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,753 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.15% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,250, 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 $23,250 sits slightly below last year's $26,465.

That decline suggests the market has already absorbed some of the model’s early premium, which can be good news if you’re buying now but less ideal if you’re planning to sell soon. For a future seller, the key takeaway is that the Telluride remains desirable, but its resale performance is still being shaped by broader market pricing rather than exceptional value retention.

Strong demand and a healthy reputation can help support future resale, especially for well-kept examples with desirable equipment. 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 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.

Every version gets Kia’s Drive Wise suite, 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. 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. One caveat is that the IIHS rating is tied to the 2020 calendar year and may not carry forward because 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:

• 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.15% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.89/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It 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 $19,914, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,250 average.
• It launched as a roomy, upscale-feeling three-row SUV with standout family appeal.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,009, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,250 average.
• It adds more standard equipment to keep the Telluride competitive.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and market availability, the 2021 is the strongest all-around pick. 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 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.