Kia Telluride
7 model years from 2020 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2020–2027
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Latest engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 22–35 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2025)
- Recalls
- 20 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2020 (777)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 19,618 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2025 Telluride in brief
The 2025 Kia Telluride is a small SUV offered with a 3.8L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 197 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (20 city / 26 highway), 24% worse than the 2025 small SUV average of 29 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 122 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
The Kia Telluride has 7 model years in our data, from 2020 to 2027, classed as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD.
Its most efficient year was 2027 at 35 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 22 to 35 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the unknown or other (484), visibility/wiper (352), engine (340).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2020 is the year to avoid.
2022 has the most recalls (7); all years together count 20 campaigns and 2,075 owner complaints.
How the 2020 Telluride compares
The 2020 Kia Telluride is a small SUV offered with a 3.8L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 197 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb.
About the Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating manufactured and marketed by Kia since 2019.
From the Wikipedia article "Kia Telluride", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2025 Telluride pros & cons
Full 2025 details →What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 24% below the 2025 small SUV average of 29 MPG.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 Telluride
223 owner complaints · 5 recalls · 2 fire reports · 6 crash reports
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2020 Telluride
777 owner complaints · 7 recalls · 9 fire reports · 8 crash reports
Most reported: Exterior Lighting
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Telluride changes by model year
- 2027
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 35
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 7 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 35 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 3 | 44 |
| 2025 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 196.9 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 122 |
| 2024 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 196.9 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 5 | 223 |
| 2023 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 196.9 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 6 | 209 |
| 2022 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 196.9 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 7 | 327 |
| 2021 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 196.9 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 5 | 373 |
| 2020 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 196.9 in | 4,343 lb | ★★★★★ | 7 | 777 |
Alternatives to the 2025 Telluride
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Toyota 4Runner | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2025 Ford Explorer | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 22 |
| 2025 Toyota Highlander | 35 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →



