Used 2021 Kia Telluride for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Kia Telluride cost?

Prices have softened 11.80% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,761 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 4.9/5 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 interior, great value for money, modern design, and advanced technology. The main trade-offs are fairly pedestrian performance and limited storage space for personal items.

For you, that means the Telluride makes the most sense if you want a well-equipped three-row SUV that feels upscale without pushing into luxury pricing. With 36.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers some attractive opportunities.

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, with owners repeatedly highlighting safety, value, and overall satisfaction over time. The expert test drive data also emphasizes Kia’s long warranty coverage, which adds confidence for long-term ownership.

That said, used buyers should still pay close attention to maintenance history and overall condition, especially because any SUV with this much demand can vary widely from one example to the next.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if it looks clean on the listing page. A pre-purchase inspection is worth prioritizing, especially on higher-mileage examples or vehicles with more equipment to check. Focus on condition, signs of prior damage, and whether the features you care about are working as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX, S, EX, and SX trims each bring different equipment levels, and the base trim is the most stripped-down version. If you want more upscale features, the upper trims add meaningful comfort and convenience upgrades.
• Powertrain: The 2021 Telluride uses a single 3.8-liter V6 with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and it is tuned more for smooth everyday driving than quick acceleration.
• 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 trims get an 8-inch touchscreen, while EX and SX upgrade to a 10.25-inch screen with navigation. Every version includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio.
• Fuel efficiency: The expert test drive data says an AWD Telluride should return 21 mpg in combined driving, and testing averaged 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, style, and safety without paying for extras you may not need.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment while staying below the upper trims.
• EX: This is the sweet spot if you want more comfort and convenience, including the larger touchscreen and Highway Drive Assist.
• SX: This is the most upscale choice, and it suits you best if you want the richest feature set, including the premium audio system and exclusive safety tech.

If you want the most complete safety and convenience package, the SX is the trim to target, while the S is the value pick for budget-conscious buyers.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it rewards shoppers who compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 36.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,761 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.80% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,580, 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 $22,580 sits slightly below last year's $25,601.

That decline suggests the Telluride has become more affordable on the used market, which can help you as a buyer but may temper future resale gains if you plan to sell later. The current pricing trend also shows that demand remains strong enough to keep values from falling sharply.

For a future seller, that means condition and trim choice will matter a lot. Well-kept examples with desirable equipment should still attract attention, but you should not expect the kind of resale strength that comes from a model with rising used prices.

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 Kia Telluride earns a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and in testing performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it earns four-star frontal-impact ratings for both the driver and front passenger and an overall five-star rating.

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

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, 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 standard headlights’ poor-rated performance, so you should pay close attention to lighting equipment and overall trim content 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:

• 36.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.80% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Kia’s 2021 updates are modest, but the model remains highly desirable and well equipped.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $19,127, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $22,580 average.
• It offers a spacious cabin and strong family-friendly value.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $25,928, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,580 average.
• It adds more standard equipment.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, equipment, and satisfaction, the 2021 is the strongest all-around choice. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the value play; if you want more standard equipment and can spend more, the 2022 is worth a look.

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 edges ahead on value, while the Palisade’s standout advantage is its spacious third row. Both share the same engine and similar performance, so your choice comes down more to value and packaging than power.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.