2021 Kia Telluride Review by Bruce Hotchkiss +VIDEO
SEE ALSO: Kia Telluride News Archive
Kia Telluride Still A Favorite
By Bruce Hotchkiss*
Special Correspondent
West Coast Bureau
The Auto Channel
In July 2019 I reviewed the then new 2020 Kia Telluride and loved it. This past week I drove a 2021 and still love it. It is simply one of the nicest large-ish SUV.
There isn't much 'new' for 2021 thankfully; I mean why tinker with perfection? Even Kia says there are only minor enhancements for 2021. They are: The towing harness has been upgraded from a four-pin to a seven-pin connector; A remote starter button has been added to the key fob; And LED headlamps are included with the EX Premium Package. There is also a new Nightfall Edition.
I love the name Telluride, it makes me think of the song 'Telluride' by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
The test Telluride SX V6 AWD was a gorgeous 'Everlasting Silver' color, kind of a pearl gray. Inside was all black. I will admit that sometimes contrasting colors look good but I'll take dark colors any day. I don't need an interior that shows every bit of dirt and grime.
There is seating for seven (2 up front, 2 in the middle, and 3 smaller folks in the rear). Access to the rear seat seemed adequate.
There are four Telluride models, LX, S, EX, and SX. A base LX starts at $32,190, the test Telluride was $44,090 plus options and delivery for a total of $48,720.
I didn't put that many miles on the Telluride so I have to rely on the EPA's fuel economy numbers of 19-mpg city, and 24-mpg highway. I saw near the city figure. When I tested the 2020 Telluride I got about 28-mpg on the highway.
![]() Although I saw almost 19-mpg around town it dropped because I sat with the engine idling listening to music while my wife did a little shopping. |
Motivation for the Telluride comes from a really nice 3.8-liter V6 rated at 291hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, that is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride is no lightweight - it weighs almost 2.5 tons yet it is capable of near 7 seconds from 0-60 mph.
I really can't think of a downside to the Telluride. Oh wait, the head's up display was almost invisible with my sunglasses on. Other than that it was a pleasure to drive and all the controls were easy to use.
![]() There's plenty of room behind the rear seat for your groceries. Need more room? The seats easily fold flat. |
Now if you're looking for something a little bigger, Kia has just introduced the 2022 Carnival MPV (kind of a cross between a van and a SUV). Get complete details about the new Kia Carnival by CLICKING HERE
*Author's Note: I have been writing car reviews since 1984. I am a Certified Automotive Technician although I no longer ply that trade. I worked for twenty years for the California Department of Consumer Affairs & Bureau of Automotive Repair. I sat on three legislative advisory committees. I wrote an automotive column for the Tracy Press, and before that the Pacifica Tribune. I was a member of the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada and am a member of the Western Automotive Journalists.