DecodedCars2021 Kia Telluride
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 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
- 5 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.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 13% below the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 MPG.
- "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 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), 13% worse than the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 373 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Telluride — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Telluride →
Trims, performance & features
Engine291 hp3.8L 6-cyl
Transmission8-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating7–8 seats · 3 rows
Trims
SXEXS
Safety & driver-assist features
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Parking assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 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 | -13% | $2,900 | 395 |
| Telluride AWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 24 / 21 | -12% | $3,200 | 428 |
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.4 MPG2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Telluride SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.5% |
| 2021 Kia Telluride SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 14.3% |
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Similar 2021 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Telluride (this car) | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime | 38 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2021 Toyota 4Runner | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Ford Explorer | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 27 |
| 2021 Toyota Highlander | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 16 |
| 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe | 34 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
Recalls (5)
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.
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.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Mar 11, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V164000 · 142 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
Not every 2021 Kia Telluride is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
373Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
7Involved a crash
4Involved a fire
9Injuries reported
3,200 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Kia Telluride buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 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.
- Engine — 68 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Visibility/Wiper — 64 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Electrical System — 41 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 3,200 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 2021 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 | 122 |
| 2024 Telluride | 22 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 223 |
| 2023 Telluride | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 209 |
| 2022 Telluride | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 327 |
| 2020 Telluride | 23 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 777 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →