It’s hard denying the fact that cars and SUVs seem to be getting bigger with each passing year. Boxy brutes like the Lincoln Navigator dwarf compact models like the FIAT 500 and MINI Cooper. Park a 2021 Kia Telluride next to a squat Kia Soul and you might see just how big vehicles have grown.
In many cases, extra sheet metal doesn’t always translate to the value department. This is especially true with SUVs. However, we’re happy to say the 2021 Telluride continuesKia’s success in the segment. It bring you a model that not only excites the senses but respects the wallet, too.
Don’t let us be the final judge though. We encourage you to browse the data below, which has been carefully curated to guide you in the buying process. Check out a 2021 Telluride at your local Kia dealer to experience this fresh SUV in person and on the road. You may be surprised by what you find.
Performance Specifications
Kia gives you the option to choose between front- and all-wheel drive on this three-row SUV. A singular powerplant featuring a 3.8-liter V6 engine sits beneath the hood. Paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, this V6 makes 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the 2021 Telluride is capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds.
Available Color Schemes
Kia offers the 2021 Telluride in the following colors.
- Dark Moss
- Snow White Pearl
- Everlasting Silver
- Gravity Gray
- Ebony Black
- Black Copper
- Sangria
- Glacial White Pearl
- Wolf Gray
Trimlines and Pricing
There are four trims on the 2021 Telluride. Here are just a few of the features you can expect to see on each level.
LX
The base 2021 Telluride starts at $31,990. Standard features include both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and push-button start, Bluetooth, an eight-inch touchscreen, leather seating, and 18-inch wheels. Both the second and third row are bench seats, meaning this model seats up to eight people.
S
If you’re looking for second-row captain’s chairs, this is the model you’ll have to upgrade to. You can also find features such as heated front seats, a powered driver’s seat, 20-inch wheels, and best of all, a sunroof. The Telluride S starts at $34,390.
EX
A 10.2-inch touchscreen is the tip of the Telluride on this trim. You can also expect to see dual-zone climate, ventilated front seats, a powered passenger’s seat, “rear sunshades, and a hands-free power liftgate.” Additional packages switch out the base 18-inch wheels for 20s and turn the second-row bench back to a captain’s chair setup. The Nightfall Edition blacks out exterior trim and a towing package is available as well. Set aside at least $37,390 for this version of the Telluride.
SX
Coming in around $42,000+, the top-tier Telluride contains plenty of upgrades. There’s a ten-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a panoramic roof, for starters. To get the ultimate 2021 Telluride, choose the Prestige package. For $2,300 it adds a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated second-row seats, a head-up display, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Of note, Kia boasts the 2021 Telluride carries a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. It’s also assembled right here in America, if that matters to you.
Safety Features
The 2021 Telluride has not yet been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the newest Telluride model 5 out of 5 stars in its overall safety rating for both front- and all-wheel drive variants.
Kia equips the 2021 Telluride with plenty of safety equipment to complement the many interior and exterior options. Standard equipment includes “a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, driver drowsiness monitoring, and a rear-seat alert.” Advanced systems such as Highway Driving Assist and Safe Exist Assist are available as well.
Fuel Efficiency
With a single powerplant and a simple choice between front- and all-wheel drive, the 2021 Telluride only has two sets of fuel efficiency numbers. Choose the front-wheel drive variant for 20 city and 26 highway EPA-estimated miles-per-gallon. All-wheel drive variants dip down to 19 city and 24 highway MPG. These numbers are mirrored in Kelley Blue Book’s review.
Competitors
Typically when we review new models, third-party reviewers will recommend a trim level near the upper-middle pricing points. After all, that’s hypothetically where the manufacturer has leveled out both pricing and available features. But with the 2021 Telluride, experts at Edmunds advise that “you’ll be just fine if you go for the base Telluride LX.”
Offering a three-row SUV equipped with a “high-end and stylish interior that verges on luxurious” for less than $40,000 puts the 2021 Telluride at the forefront of its particular segment. While it’s true that the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Mazda CX-9, Chevrolet Traverse, and even the Volkswagen Atlas put up a good fight here, the 2021 Telluride retains an edge across the board that cannot be easily matched.
For example, CarBuzz says 2021 Telluride “delivers a smooth ride” and “has all the space needed for a large family.” Kelley Blue Book experts remarked on the model’s bold design and excellent value: “Long story short: We are highly impressed with this vehicle.” Although it might be true that other models tackle off-road terrain better, or perform at a higher level when it comes to fuel efficiency, the 2021 Telluride hits high marks in some of the most basic elements of an SUV.
In fact, the Telluride does so many things well that in actuality, it may afford you the option to use it as a daily driver and still purchase another vehicle altogether. One to fulfill those needs not met, whether it be a sportscar, off-road rock-crawler, or even a luxury sedan for nights out on the town. No matter your preference, the 2021 Telluride shows potential to bring a lot of value to many families.
The Last Word
The 2021 Telluride technically only has a year under its belt. However, with an arsenal of value, safety, and reliability, it continues to be a strong competitor in the SUV segment. Stop by your local Kia dealership to see the 2021 Telluride in person. We know there’s a difference between reading about it and actually sitting behind the wheel. It’s always better to experience a vehicle in full before you sign on the dotted line.
If you find the 2021 Telluride isn’t be the right model for you, come back and check out more reviews here on Autoversed. You’ll find plenty of information on the newest vehicles and thoughtful comparisons of models you may not have considered before.
Source: Kia
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