Makes›Kia›Telluride›2020

2020 Kia Telluride

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Kia Telluride
Pictured: 2022 Kia Telluride EX (facelift), front 4.16.23. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl
Horsepower
291 hp
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
7–8
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 20 city / 26 hwy
Length
196.9 in
Curb weight
4,343 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
7 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Seats up to 83 rows of seating.
  • 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

  • Many owner complaints777 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 135 for similar models — most often about the exterior lighting.
  • "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

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.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 26 highway), 10% worse than the 2020 small SUV average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 777 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the exterior lighting.

Trims, performance & features

Engine291 hp3.8L 6-cyl
Transmission8-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating7–8 seats · 3 rows

Trims

EXSSX

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 Telluride configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV196.9 in78.3 in69.3 in114.2 in66.9 / 66.9 in4,343 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Telluride FWD3.8L 6-cylAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 23-10%$2,900395
Telluride AWD3.8L 6-cylAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21-11%$3,200426
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.6 MPG2020 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★14.3%
2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★15.5%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV AWD
Frontal crash test — 2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV AWD
Side crash test — 2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2020 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Kia Telluride (this car)23 MPG★★★★★7
2020 Toyota 4Runner17 MPG★★★★★1
2020 Ford Explorer28 MPG★★★★★35
2020 Toyota Highlander36 MPG★★★★★5
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee21 MPG★★★★★3
2020 GMC Yukon18 MPG★★★★★4
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe18 MPG★★★★★3

Recalls (7)

Safety advisory: 3 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 2, 2026 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 26V430000 · 462,869 vehicles

Problem
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC374. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V407. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 17, 2026.
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jun 5, 2024 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 24V407000 · 462,869 vehicles

Problem
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC316.
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Mar 20, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V214000 · 427,407 vehicles

Problem
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.
Risk
A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix
Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Feb 26, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V148000 · 35,031 vehicles

Problem
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The high beam headlights may fail.
Risk
Inoperable high beam headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the high beam headlights, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC299.
Trailer Hitches · Aug 15, 2022 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 22V626000 · 36,417 vehicles

Problem
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Telluride vehicles potentially equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and a wiring harness extension. Dealers will also inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 12, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC247.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control · Jul 28, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V436000 · 86,921 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other · Aug 13, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V594000 · 30,168 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the front passenger, second, and/or third row seats may not tightly secure a child restraint system in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant in a crash.
Fix
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect seat belt assemblies. The repair will also include replacing the driver's seat belt which has a non-U.S. specified label, with a U.S. specification seat belt. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC181.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Kia Telluride is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

777Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
8Involved a crash
9Involved a fire
11Injuries reported
6,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Exterior Lighting177
Engine153
Unknown Or Other146
Visibility/Wiper136
Power Train70
Electrical System60
Structure › Body54
Suspension33
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/11: 1224/12: 1125/01: 1325/02: 725/03: 1025/04: 725/05: 325/06: 725/07: 1425/08: 925/09: 825/10: 2225/11: 1625/12: 1026/01: 1426/02: 1326/03: 1326/04: 1026/05: 1426/06: 2026/07: 1426/08: 526/09: 1626/10: 1324/1125/0225/0525/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 22

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Kia Telluride buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Exterior Lighting — 177 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  4. Engine — 153 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Visibility/Wiper — 136 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 6,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Telluride. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Telluride years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Telluride35–Not rated344
2025 Telluride22196.9 in★★★★★3123
2024 Telluride22196.9 in★★★★★5223
2023 Telluride23196.9 in★★★★★6210
2022 Telluride23196.9 in★★★★★7327
2021 Telluride23196.9 in★★★★★5373

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →