Engine Type

With only four trims in the lineup, Kia Motors has made it easy to power the 2021 Kia Telluride with one engine option. Under the hood of all trims (LX, S, EX, and SX) is a 3.8-liter Lambda DOHC V6 optimized with gasoline direct injection for faster fuel combustion and Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT). Able to deliver 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, the Telluride comes with multiple drive modes and can ride on a front-wheel drivetrain (FWD) or all-wheel drivetrain (AWD).

Engineering

All trims are paired up with an electronically controlled 8-speed automatic transmission with a Sportmatic Sports Shifter for manual shifting. The EPA for the 2021 Kia Telluride with FWD is 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. If consumers choose AWD, the fuel economy is 19/24 mpg city/highway.

Exterior Features

There are a number of great exterior features on the 2021 Telluride that are standard across the lineup. These include heated outside mirrors with LED turn signal indicators, solar control glass, sound-absorbing windshield glass, privacy glass, rear wiper/washer, automatic headlamps, and a rear spoiler. Past the base trim, consumers can get a sunroof, and consumers can also get a smart power liftgate on the EX and SX trim, as well as sound-absorbing front window glass. The 2021 Kia Telluride rides on either 18- or 20-inch wheels, depending on the trim.

Interior Features

Throughout the cabin of the 2021 Kia Telluride is leather trimming, or some form of leather to keep things upscale, with Premium Nappa leather as an option on the SX trim. A 10-way power adjustable seat is standard on the S and EX trim, with a 12-way power-adjustable seat on the SX. Convenient amenities like dual-zone automatic temperature control can be found on the EX and SX trims, along with rear passenger automatic temperature control. Throughout the lineup, the second and third row have some sort of split functionality, and all trims come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel. All trims past the base come with heated front seats, the EX and SX come with ventilated front seats, and heated and ventilated second-row seats are optional on the SX trim.

Entertainment

All trims in the 2021 Kia Telluride have some form of UVO link, with the EX and EX getting enhanced navigation features, Driver Talk (amplifying the driver’s voice to the back row), and Quiet Mode (for focusing the sound system on just the first row). The LX and S trims come with an 8-inch touchscreen, and the EX and SX trims come with a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are lineup standards. A six-speaker system comes standard on the LX, S, and EX trims, whereas a Harman Kardon 10-speaker system with a subwoofer is standard on the SX trim.

Safety Features and Warranty

Always striving for safety and security, Kia Motors puts a lot of safety features into the 2021 Kia Telluride. Starting with the basics, every trim comes with dual front advanced airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, a rollover sensor, an anti-lock brake system, stability and traction control systems, a rear occupant alert system, rear-camera display, and LATCH child-seat ready anchors. When it comes to advanced safety features, every trim comes with lane keep assist, a blind spot collision avoidance system, automatic emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, a rear view monitor with dynamic parking guidance, smart cruise control with stop & go, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, driver attention monitor, parking distance warning when in reverse, and safe exit assist. Blind spot view monitor, parking distance warning when driving forward, and a surround view monitor are on the SX trim.

Kia has a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program. The Kia 10-year/100,000 mile warranty program consists of 10-year/1000,000 mile limited powertrain warranty, 5-year/60,000 mile limited basic warranty, 5-year/100,000 mile limited anti-perforation warranty, and 5-year/60,000 mile roadside assistance plan.