Used 2021 Kia Telluride for Sale near Washington

How much does the 2021 Kia Telluride cost?

Prices have softened 12.10% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,759 listings available, which gives you a healthy pool to compare prices and equipment.

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 it can feel sluggish from a stop, and some owners mention limited storage for personal items.

That lines up with the Telluride’s role as a midsize, three-row SUV that aims to feel more upscale than its price suggests. For you, that means it makes the most sense if you want family-friendly space and a premium feel without paying luxury-brand money.

The market also looks supportive, with 33.5% 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.

Owners describe it as reliable and trouble-free in the way they talk about its safety, value, and day-to-day usefulness, which suggests you can count on it as a family hauler. The expert drive notes also point to Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance as meaningful ownership support.

That said, used buyers should still watch for wear, prior abuse, and any signs that the SUV’s family-hauling life has been harder than average.

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 it looks clean on the lot. Prioritize a careful inspection of the interior, electronics, and exterior condition, since family SUVs often show wear in the places you use most. Focus on whether the vehicle feels well cared for, because condition can vary a lot from one listing to the next.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX is the most affordable entry point, but the S is the value pick because it adds meaningful equipment without jumping to the highest prices. If you want a more upscale feel, the SX brings the richest cabin and the most luxury-like features, while the Nightfall Edition package adds a blacked-out appearance on EX and SX models.
• Powertrain: You get a single 3.8-liter V6 with an eight-speed automatic and 291 horsepower plus 262 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and AWD is optional if you want the added traction and the low-speed Lock function.
• Safety package: 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. 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 upgrade to a 10.25-inch screen with navigation. Every trim gets 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 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, but it still gives you the Telluride’s core strengths: the V6 powertrain, standard safety tech, and broad family-friendly utility. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and are comfortable keeping the equipment list simple.
• S: This is the best-value trim because it adds meaningful equipment while staying below the more expensive upper trims. If you want the sweet spot between price and features, this is the one to focus on.
• EX: This trim is the better choice if you want more comfort and convenience, including the larger infotainment screen and added upscale touches. It also unlocks the Nightfall Edition package if you want the blacked-out look.
• SX: This is the most luxurious version, and it’s the one to choose if you want the richest cabin and the most premium-feeling equipment. It also gets the most exclusive safety and tech upgrades, making it the top pick if you want the fullest Telluride experience.

Safety-wise, EX and SX get Highway Drive Assist, while SX adds the most exclusive camera and parking features.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing every listing.

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,759 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.10% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,385, 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 $23,385 sits slightly below last year's $26,603.

That price movement suggests the Telluride has softened from its earlier peak, 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 demand remains strong enough to keep the model relevant, but you should not expect it to behave like a top-tier resale leader.

Its popularity and strong owner satisfaction help support demand in the used market. If you keep the vehicle clean, well maintained, and accident-free, you’ll be in a better position when it’s time to list it.

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 four-star frontal-impact ratings for both the driver and front passenger in NHTSA testing, with an overall five-star rating.

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 SX adds front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and Blind-Spot View Monitor.

One caveat is that the IIHS rating may not carry forward because of the SUV’s Poor-rated standard headlights, so you should pay close attention to lighting equipment and trim differences when shopping used.

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:

• 33.5% 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 12.10% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.89/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds useful polish, including the Nightfall Edition package and more LED headlights.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $19,881, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,385 average.
• It launched as a roomy, premium-feeling family SUV with standout space and value.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,238, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,385 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 smart target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while keeping the core Telluride appeal. If you want more standard equipment and don’t mind paying more, the 2022 is the better step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.