Kia Telluride Best and Worst Years (Top Picks!)

A midsize SUV named the Kia Telluride was first released for the 2020 model year.

It is a highly regarded car that is renowned for its powerful engine, roomy interior, and all-around adaptability. 

We’ll discuss both its finest and worst years in this post.

Kia Telluride Best and Worst Years 

The search results indicate that the 2021, 2022, and 2023 models are usually regarded as the greatest years for the Kia Telluride. These years have earned excellent reviews for dependability and safety, and there have been very few difficulties reported. The Kia Telluride’s worst year is 2020, which has the highest owner complaints and ought to be avoided when buying a secondhand car. To make sure you are obtaining a dependable and well-equipped Kia Telluride, it is crucial to conduct research on the precise model year and trim level you are interested in.

What Are The Kia Telluride’s Best Years?

2023 Kia Telluride

Without a doubt, the 2023 Telluride is a superb SUV. It was named the best midsize 3-row SUV out of 13 models by the automotive behemoth Edmunds, and it received a 10/10 rating, the Editors’ Choice Award, and a spot on Car & Driver’s “10Best” list.

It has received a lot of praise for being elegant, roomy, comfy, and trendy at a fair price.

With top-end versions bordering on luxury, prices range from $37,000 to $54,400.

An upgraded interior, larger displays, improved driving aid technology, and modified front and back appearance are all new for 2023.

Five trim levels are available to customers: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige.

We advise choosing the top-of-the-line SX trim out of these 5 options because it has heated front seats, leather upholstery, and an updated instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch display.

There are also X-Line and X-Pro versions of the basic trims available for customers seeking stronger variations.

These variations include characteristics like off-road suspension tuning, a somewhat better suspension, and higher towing capability.

Blind Spot View Monitor, Safe Exit Assist, and Highway Drive Assist 2 are notable safety features. 

• Edmunds: 4 out of 5
• 4.1 out of 5.0 on Kelley Blue Book
• JD Power: 84 out of 100

Kia Telluride for 2022

Another popular vehicle among both auto reviewers and owners is the 2022 Kia Telluride, which received a perfect 10/10 rating from Car & Driver and was ranked first by JD Power in the category of Upper Midsize SUVs.

The 2022 Telluride is an excellent option because it can transport families in luxury and style, with luxurious seating and a stylish exterior.

A naturally aspirated V-6 paired with an automated transmission powers each model.

Although all-wheel drive is an option across the lineup, front wheel drive is the default.

New driver assistance and safety technology, dual-zone automatic climate control as standard, and a new 10.25-inch central display were all introduced in 2022.

There are some owners who have complained that windscreens and sunroofs crack far too easily and frequently without cause.

• Edmunds: 4.1 out of 5
• 4.1 out of 5.0 on Kelley Blue Book
• JD Power: 84 out of 100

Kia Telluride for 2021

The 2021 Telluride, the second model in the first generation, garnered great marks from auto journalists and owners and was substantially less problematic than its predecessor (complaints were down by almost 50%).

The 2021 Telluride is a spacious, adaptable, and powerful vehicle.

An improved trailer-towing wiring harness, a remote engine start button on the key fob, and a Nightfall Edition package with blacked-out wheels and trim are all new for this model year.

LX, S, EX, and SX are the four trim levels available for the 2021 Telluride.

A 3.8-liter V6 engine with 461 horsepower and an 8-speed automated transmission are standard on all models.

The combined mileage is 21 MPG, the city mileage is 19 MPG, and the highway mileage is 24 MPG. 

There have been concerns about this model’s windshields being extremely brittle and breaking far too readily.

• Edmunds: 4.1 out of 5
• 4.1 out of 5.0 on Kelley Blue Book
• JD Power: 82 out of 100

What Are The Kia Telluride’s Worst Years?

Kia Telluride 2020

According to information from CarComplaints.com and CarProblemZoo.com, the 2020 Telluride is the most troublesome model year ever created. Given that this was the first model, which is known to have a variety of teething problems, this should not come as a huge surprise.

Owners routinely complained about problems with their windshields, with complaints mentioning glass cracks even when there had been no impact.

How Safe is Kia Telluride?

Several sources have given the Kia Telluride high marks for safety. Following are some salient details from the search results:

• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2022 and 2023 Kia Telluride models “Good” ratings in the majority of categories, including moderate overlap front and side, roof strength, and head restraints and seats.
• The 2022 Kia Telluride received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• The NHTSA also awarded the 2022 Kia Telluride a five-star safety rating for its performance in side impact testing, rollover resistance tests, and driver and passenger frontal crash tests.
• The NHTSA and IIHS have not yet completed their testing of the 2023 Kia Telluride, but they have awarded it four stars for frontal crash tests and rollover evaluations.
• The Kia Telluride is equipped with a number of safety technologies, including as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist.

In conclusion, the Kia Telluride has gotten favorable safety ratings from a number of organizations, such as the IIHS and NHTSA. The car contains a number of safety features that can help avoid accidents and safeguard occupants in the case of one. It is significant to remember that safety ratings are predicated on particular model years and may change depending on the kind of crash test used.

Reliability of Kia Tulleride

Here is what we know about the Kia Telluride’s dependability based on the search results:

Positive: The 2020 Kia Telluride was mechanically sturdy and maintained perfect durability according to a lengthy test by Car & Driver.

The Kia Telluride models for 2021 and 2022 received a high dependability rating from J.D. Power, with a score of 85 out of 100.

The remarkable 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain guarantee that comes with the Kia Telluride demonstrates trust in the dependability of the car.

Negative: There is little information available on the 2023 Kia Telluride’s dependability.

In conclusion, based on the few information available, the reliability of the Kia Telluride seems to be favorable. In a lengthy test by Car & Driver, the 2020 model demonstrated strong mechanical qualities and maintained faultlessness in terms of durability. The 2021 and 2022 versions received excellent dependability ratings from J.D. Power, and the car has a strong 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain guarantee. On the reliability of the 2023 model, there isn’t much information yet. Before making a purchase, it’s crucial to look into the reliability ratings of particular model years.

Tips for Maintaining Kia Telluride

Based on the search results, here are some recommendations for maintaining your Kia Telluride:

• Every 7,500 miles or once a year, or at other suggested intervals, the oil should be changed.
• Make that the levels of all the fluids, including the coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and oil, are checked frequently.
• Regularly check the battery to make sure it is operating properly.
• To promote even wear, keep your tires filled to the recommended pressure and rotate them frequently.
• If you drive an AWD Kia Telluride, check the transfer case oil and rear axle oil every 37,500 miles.
• Every 15,000–20,000 miles, the engine air filter needs to be changed.
• Every 15,000–20,000 miles, the cabin air filter needs to be changed.
• Every 30,000 miles, the brake fluid must be changed.
• Each 60,000 miles, the spark plugs should be changed.
• To keep your Kia Telluride in good shape and to avoid expensive repairs, adhere to the suggested maintenance program.

You can make sure that your Kia Telluride operates smoothly and lasts for many years by paying attention to the advice in this article. The secret to avoiding expensive repairs and maintaining the condition of your car is routine maintenance. In order to avoid further damage, it’s crucial to adhere to the suggested maintenance program for your particular model year.

How Can You Tell Whether Something Is a Lemon?

Purchase a vehicle history report.

There is no better initial step when purchasing a used car than to obtain a car history report. Two well-known services offer this information for little money: Anyone looking to purchase a used car will find the information provided by CarFax and AutoCheck extremely helpful. 

The reports let you know the number of past owners, whether or not it had any accidents, how frequently it required maintenance, and the current title. The final section is among the most crucial since it contains the lemon label, which attests that the car followed the correct legal procedures to be designated as a lemon.

However, in some areas, dealers must inform a customer if the vehicle is a manufacturer buyback, which is a reliable way to determine whether a vehicle has a lemon title. 

However, it is the responsibility of the buyer to conduct a thorough investigation into the vehicle’s history. Therefore, consumers may need help if they accidentally purchase a secondhand lemon because they must inspect it first.

Owner Background

You can view the owner’s history on the vehicle history report, which should indicate whether the manufacturer has purchased the vehicle back. 

While owners can claim a car is a lemon in a legal dispute and ask the automaker to buy back the problematic vehicle, that is a guaranteed technique to determine if the car was labeled a lemon.

 You can also determine if the vehicle was sold or traded before it was given a lemon tag if the prior owner may have missed an issue. It also implies that the car’s persistent issue must be apparent.

Repair Record

Look carefully at the vehicle’s repair record and try to identify any recurring issues. Recurring problems in cars with lemon histories are simple to spot. You can determine whether the issues with the car are minor wear and tear concerns, such as those with the clutch or brakes, or a more severe problem. 

Check to discover if the repairs were necessary or carried out even when the car was brand new. It can assist in determining whether the car is a lemon or if an incident like a collision or modification caused a misdiagnosed issue.

Are the repairs significant or minor? A severe repair would deal with the drivetrain or suspension, whereas a superficial one would address non-driving-related issues like window or seat controls. 

Severe repairs would be more challenging, but handling a car might not be a hassle if a car was considered a lemon for a less severe cause.

The report also shows whether repairs are being made at a dealership or a general shop. Like you would with any used car, examine the vehicle’s general condition and health and determine whether routine maintenance has also been carried out. 

This will assist you in deciding whether or not you should consider purchasing this car.

Inspection before purchase

Is the car still a good investment? You should get a pre-purchase inspection if the flaws are not too concerning or if you believe the automobile may have been incorrectly labeled as a lemon. 

A mechanic can determine whether the problems are repairable and why the car was considered a lemon. 

A technician can assist you in determining whether or not a recurring issue is indicative of more severe problems or worries about the quality of the vehicle.

Their satisfaction with the car might help determine if it is a worthwhile investment or a lost cause.

FAQ on Kia Telluride Best and Worst Years

What are Kia Telluride’s ideal and ideal years?

Quick Response: There is only one Kia Telluride year to avoid, and that is 2020. Since 2020, the Telluride has been manufactured. The good news is that the 2021 and 2022 models both score highly and have a small number of issues. The major issues with the 2020 model relate to visibility.

What year does the Kia Telluride have the best reliability?

One of the newest and greatest SUV models offered by the Kia brand is the Telluride. If you’re going to purchase, we advise the 2021 or 2022 option as they have received the fewest consumer complaints. We hope you find this material useful!

The Kia Telluride has any issues, right?

The most frequent causes of a ticking noise emanating from the engine in a Kia Telluride, it has been reported, are ignition system problems, exhaust leaks, or low oil pressure or level. The windshield cracking on the 2022 Kia Telluride is one of the more serious frequent issues.

Must you purchase a Kia Telluride?

Owners give the 2024 Kia Telluride an average consumer reliability rating of 4.3, which indicates that they believe it to be above average. Here are some of the 2024 Telluride’s greatest qualities, according to its users: Excellent vehicle! excellent experience driving safely.

Still the top SUV, Telluride?

Yes, the Telluride three-row SUV from 2024 is fantastic. It features a luxurious interior with supportive seats, a cutting-edge entertainment system that is simple to use, and lots of room for both passengers and baggage. Although the third-row seats are quite congested, adults can comfortably use them on shorter excursions.