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

- 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
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 Telluride configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 196.9 in | 78.3 in | 69.3 in | 114.2 in | 66.9 / 66.9 in | 4,343 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telluride FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 23 | -10% | $2,900 | 395 |
| Telluride AWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 24 / 21 | -11% | $3,200 | 426 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 14.3% |
| 2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.5% |


Similar 2020 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Kia Telluride (this car) | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2020 Toyota 4Runner | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2020 Ford Explorer | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 35 |
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2020 GMC Yukon | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (7)
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.
Not every 2020 Kia Telluride is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Kia Telluride buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- 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.
- Exterior Lighting — 177 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Engine — 153 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Visibility/Wiper — 136 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 6,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Telluride | 35 | – | Not rated | 3 | 44 |
| 2025 Telluride | 22 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 123 |
| 2024 Telluride | 22 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 223 |
| 2023 Telluride | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 210 |
| 2022 Telluride | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 327 |
| 2021 Telluride | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 373 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →