Used 2021 Kia Telluride for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Kia Telluride cost?

Prices have softened 12.65% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 3,797 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 it can feel sluggish from a stop, and the expert review also points to fairly pedestrian performance.

For you, that means the Telluride makes the most sense if you want a family SUV that feels more upscale than its price suggests and puts comfort and value ahead of outright speed. Good and great deals account for 35.7% of listings, so there’s still 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 summary points to a vehicle that feels safe, dependable, and great value for money, which is exactly the kind of feedback you want when shopping used. The expert review also emphasizes 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 part of the ownership picture.

That said, you should still focus on maintenance records and overall condition, because long-term ownership risk on a used SUV always depends on how well the previous owner cared for it.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.6% — 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 pre-purchase inspection that checks the suspension, electronics, tires, brakes, and interior wear, since this SUV’s appeal depends heavily on condition and equipment. Pay close attention to whether the features you want are actually present on the trim you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX, S, EX, and SX each bring a different mix of equipment, and the base trim leaves out some of the upscale touches that make this SUV feel special. If you want the most premium cabin, the SX is the one that adds the luxury-leaning details.
• Powertrain: Every 2021 Telluride uses a 3.8-liter V6 with an eight-speed automatic. It makes 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, and AWD is optional if you want extra traction.
• Safety package: Every version 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 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, so it makes sense if you want the Telluride’s core space, value, and standard safety without paying for extras you may not use.
• S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment while staying below the higher-priced versions.
• EX: This is the sweet spot if you want more comfort and convenience, including the larger touchscreen and additional tech features.
• SX: This is the one to choose if you want the most upscale Telluride experience, especially with the Prestige package’s premium leather, head-up display, and heated and ventilated second-row seats.

Safety-wise, Highway Drive Assist is standard on EX and SX, while SX also gets the most exclusive parking and blind-spot camera features.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 35.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,797 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.65% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,061, 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 $23,061 sits slightly below last year's $26,400.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled, which can be good news if you’re buying now but less favorable if you’re planning to sell soon. A softer used market can mean more competition from similar listings, so future sellers may need to price carefully and present their vehicles well.

Even so, the Telluride’s strong reputation and broad appeal should help support demand over time. 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 Kia Telluride earns a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (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.

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. Rear Occupant Alert and Safe Exit Assist are also included, and Highway Drive Assist is standard on EX and SX.

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:

• 35.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.65% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.89/5 — 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 $19,811, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $23,061 average.
• It launched as a roomy, upscale-feeling three-row SUV with standout family appeal.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $26,893, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,061 average.
• It adds more standard equipment while keeping the Telluride’s desirable style and safety focus.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and current 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 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.