My GarageIs the Kia Telluride a good used car?
Verdict rates it 4.5/5 overall, with reliability at 4.4/5 and running costs at 4.3/5. Shop 2021+ (post-early-build refinements) first and treat 2020 (first-year) as a records-only purchase.
Buyer's Guide · Kia Telluride · 3-row SUV
Used Kia Telluride Buyer's Guide
3 min read
Also worth reading: Kia Reliability Guide, Best Used Kia Models and Kia Sportage Buying Guide.
The Telluride is the best-in-class 3-row family SUV in the mainstream segment. The 3.8L Lambda V6 is proven, and the platform is refined and premium-feeling.
Quick Verdict
- Overall verdict
- 4.5/5 · Excellent
- Reliability
- 4.4/5 · Very good
- Best years
- 2021+ (post-early-build refinements)
- Years to research
- 2020 (first-year)
- Maintenance cost
- 4.3/5 · Very good
- Parts availability
- 4.2/5 · Very good
- Ownership cost
- 4.3/5 · Very good
Bottom line: Yes. Prefer 2021+ for the safest pick.
Shopping a specific Telluride?
Don't stop at researching the model — get a verdict on the exact car you're looking at.
Overall · All generations
★★★★★4.5/5
The Telluride is one of the best used-market 3-row values available. Verify software updates on early 2020 examples; otherwise a very strong long-term ownership.
Reliability· All generations
★★★★★4.4/5
Maintenance
★★★★★4.3/5
Parts availability
★★★★★4.2/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.3/5
Top Picks
Best Years to Buy
Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.
2021+ (post-early-build refinements)
Refined; software updates applied.
Side by side
Kia Telluride ratings at a glance
| Category | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.5/5 | Excellent |
| Reliability | 4.4/5 | Very good |
| Maintenance | 4.3/5 | Very good |
| Parts availability | 4.2/5 | Very good |
| Ownership cost | 4.3/5 | Very good |
Do your homework
Years to Research Carefully
Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.
2020 (first-year)
Early infotainment and minor build-quality complaints; most addressed via software.
Known issues
Common Problems
Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.
- ✓Infotainment quirks on early 2020 examples
- ✓Panoramic sunroof drain clogs
- ✓Water pump around 100k on Lambda V6
Ownership
Maintenance Expectations
Comparable ownership costs to Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander; parts are widely available.
The long factory warranty is a used-market advantage when transferable.
Before you buy
Inspection Checklist
What to verify on any candidate car.
Engine
3.8L Lambda: smooth idle; verify water-pump service on 90k+ examples.
Transmission
8AT smooth throughout.
Warranty
Verify transferable powertrain warranty.
Sunroof drains
Test with water.
Rust
Rear subframe on Northeast examples.
Living with it
Ownership Experience
- • Premium-feeling interior for the price.
- • Real-world 22–24 mpg highway.
- • One of the strongest used 3-row values on the market.
The Verdict
Should You Buy a Used Kia Telluride?
Yes. Prefer 2021+ for the safest pick.
People Also Ask
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is the Kia Telluride?
Verdict scores it 4.4/5 for reliability and 4.5/5 overall. Buy from 2021+ (post-early-build refinements) and the known trouble spots largely drop away.
Which Telluride years should I avoid?
2020 (first-year) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Kia Telluride?
2021+ (post-early-build refinements). Those years combine the settled version of the powertrain with the fewest recurring complaints in our research.
How long does a Kia Telluride last?
A well-maintained Telluride from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the Telluride expensive to maintain?
Maintenance scores 4.3/5 and parts availability 4.2/5. Routine servicing is predictable; the cost risk is the model-specific work listed above.
What should I inspect before buying a used Telluride?
Focus on: Engine, Transmission, Warranty, Sunroof drains. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common Telluride problems?
Infotainment quirks on early 2020 examples; Panoramic sunroof drain clogs; Water pump around 100k on Lambda V6
Is 150,000 miles too much for a Telluride?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile Telluride with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Telluride's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Kia Telluride?
Yes, if you buy the right year and the right paperwork. Shop 2021+ (post-early-build refinements) first, treat 2020 (first-year) as a records-only purchase, and make the sale conditional on an independent inspection.
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