When Kia introduced the Telluride for the 2020 model year, it proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that the brand no longer deserved to be a punchline for late-night comics. Oozing style and value, the 2020 Telluride was powerful and practical. It provided entry-luxury design, materials, and technology for a great value MSRP.
It was an instant success, garnering it the nickname “Selluride” in the halls of the automaker’s North American headquarters. Early on, the West Point, Georgia, assembly plant struggled to meet demand. Years later, consumer fever for the Telluride cooled, but it remained a top-seller for Kia and within its segment—which is a tough one because it includes the Toyota Highlander, the Hyundai Palisade, and the Honda Pilot, among others.
While both the Kia Telluride and Kia Sorento are midsize SUVs with three rows of seats, the Telluride is larger inside and out. It comes in several trim levels, and those at the top of the lineup have interiors that would be suitable for a luxury SUV if not for the hard and glossy plastic covering the lower portions of the cabin. In addition, the more expensive Tellurides offer thoughtful features uncommon to the class.
We expect the second-generation Kia Telluride to arrive for the 2026 model year. Like the upcoming second-generation Hyundai Palisade with which it shares a platform, the next-gen Telluride is expected to offer a hybrid powertrain. Otherwise, few details had been announced as of this writing.
Kia Telluride Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kia Telluride years are the best?
Kia resolved some of the Telluride’s early issues by 2022. That year, the SUV also received the new Kia emblems, and some of its most impressive technology was added to the lower trim levels. There was a refresh in 2023 with subtle styling modifications and a new line of more rugged-looking X-Line and X-Pro versions.
What are the worst Kia Telluride years?
Owners of 2020 Telluride models have logged many issues with CarComplaints.com, which is common for the first model year of any new or redesigned vehicle. While the 2021 Telluride isn’t as troublesome, it still isn’t as problem-free as 2022 and newer models. The best technologies are more widely available on the later models, too.
Is a used Kia Telluride a good deal?
Tellurides hold their value better than some alternatives in the segment but not as well as others. So, just as they offer average reliability, they offer average value as a used SUV. We recommend a newer, lightly used model. For extra confidence, consider choosing one backed by Kia’s certified pre-owned vehicle program.
Kia Telluride Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stylish design
- Spacious interior
- Impressive technology
Cons
- Cheap interior details
- No hybrid powertrain availability
- Irritating lane-keeping assist system
Kia Telluride Generations
First Generation (2020 to Present)
The first-generation Kia Telluride went on sale in 2019 for the 2020 model year. The largest Kia to date, it launched as a flagship model for the automaker and, along with the since-discontinued Stinger grand touring car, it helped to elevate the Kia brand in the eyes of consumers.
With an upscale design, a modern cabin, compelling technology, and a roomy interior, the Telluride gave Kia a properly competitive three-row midsize SUV. In addition to its eight-passenger capacity, cargo space is 601 litres behind the third row and 1,304 litres behind the second row. Maximum cargo volume measures 2,455 litres.
Under the hood, a 3.8-litre V6 engine whipped up 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, that was fed to standard all-wheel drive (AWD) via eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride offers a Snow mode and an AWD differential lock setting to evenly split power to the axles, while maximum towing capacity is 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), and a self-leveling rear suspension system (available with upper trims) improves the towing experience. Natural Resources Canada combined fuel economy figures have ranged from 11.2 to 11.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined, depending on the model year.
For the launch year in 2020, Kia Telluride trim levels in Canada were EX, SX, and SX Limited, each with a generous list of standard equipment. Highlights for the Telluride EX included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors, a sunroof, artificial leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, three-zone automatic climate control, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless smartphone charger, and lots of advanced driving assistance systems including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, among plenty of others.
Upgrading to the Telluride SX added 20-inch wheels, satin chrome exterior trim, leather upholstery, a power front passenger seat, a seven-inch digital gauge cluster, manual rear door sunshades, a Harman Kardon audio system, front parking sensors, a dual-panel sunroof, and Kia’s Blind View Monitor system, which projects a camera view of the car’s blind spot into the gauge cluster when a turn signal is activated.
In the top SX Limited trim, a self-leveling rear suspension was added along with LED taillights, ventilated front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, heated second-row captain’s chairs, rain-sensing wipers, a head-up display, and a premium headliner.
In 2021, new paint colours debuted, and a Nightsky Edition arrived with blacked-out exterior detailing for a custom look.
In response to customers seeking a more rugged look and off-roading capability, the refreshed 2023 Telluride lineup gained top-end X-Line and X-Pro trims in Canada. The Telluride X-Pro models featured all-terrain tires for improved grip off-road, and both the Telluride X-Line and the X-Pro got a boost in ground clearance from 20.3 to 21.3 centimetres.
Kia also upgraded the 2023 Telluride’s technology. For example, a more sophisticated dual-screen dashboard included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. Highway Driving Assist 2 enhanced driving assistance technology with a new lane-change assist function.
There were further styling tweaks for the 2024 Telluride, including standardizing the SUV’s signature amber tail lights across all models. Kia updated the SUV’s colour choices and made other minor changes in 2025.
According to CarComplaints.com, Kia resolved many of the Telluride’s early issues by the 2022 model year. Still, other sources rate the 2022 Telluride as average in reliability and show a slight decline in 2023, the same year Kia updated the SUV’s technology.
The base price of a Kia Telluride has increased by nearly $10,000 between 2020 and 2025. As of this writing, getting into a new 2025 Kia Telluride costs at least $53,840 in Canada, including fees. On the used vehicle market, there are plenty of examples with less than 80,000 kilometres on the odometer priced between $35,000 and $50,000 with more expensive trims landing at the top of that range. Since there are relatively few differences between model years, especially from 2023 on, a used Telluride can be a good way to save money. Regardless of which Telluride you choose, it’s smart to get a vehicle history report to be sure it hasn’t been in a wreck or suffered some other major problem.
Related Topics:
