The Kia Telluride has made waves in the medium-sized SUV market, but not all years are winners.
We’ve analyzed data from NHTSA, Consumer Reports, and J.D. Power to identify the best and worst Telluride years.
Get ready for a thorough dive into each model’s features, safety, dependability, and common issues. We’ll even cover recalls and resale values.
Let’s discover your perfect Telluride!
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Kia Telluride Generations
The Kia Telluride burst onto the scene in 2020, shaking up the midsize SUV world. It brought a winning combination of space, opulence, and performance that was unparalleled at its price point.
What makes the Telluride remarkable?
For starters, it’s packed with cutting-edge safety tech. Under the hood, you’ll find a powerful V6 engine that doesn’t mess around. Step inside, and you’re greeted by a refined interior that comfortably fits up to eight people. No wonder it’s been racking up praise for its value and capability.
Let’s take a brief look at the Telluride’s journey:
| Generation | Years |
|---|---|
| 1st Generation (ON) | 2020-Present |
This table isn’t just a history lesson. It’s your concise guide to understanding how the Telluride has evolved.
Whether you’re shopping for a used model or just curious about the recent improvements, knowing these generational shifts in performance, tech, and design could be the key to finding your perfect Telluride.
Kia Telluride Best, Neutral, and Worst Years
How do we separate the Telluride’s exceptional years from the failures? We dive deep into a wealth of information:
- What owners are saying in surveys
- How much you’ll shell out for annual maintenance
- Safety ratings that’ll give you peace of mind
- Consumer Reports’ reliability scores (they don’t pull any punches)
- How happy owners are, according to Consumer Reports
- NHTSA recalls, investigations, and complaints (the official stuff)
- Real-world ratings from Edmunds, JD Power, Kelley Blue Book, VehicleHistory, and Cars.com
We’re not just throwing numbers at you. We’ve examined all this data to give you an accurate picture.
This isn’t just a popularity contest. We’ve sorted every Telluride model year into three categories: the finest, the so-so, and the ones to avoid.
| Generation | Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Generation (ON) | 2023 2024 | 2021 2022 | 2020 |
What’s a “Neutral Year” in our book? It’s a Telluride that’ll get the job done without any significant headaches or fireworks. These models don’t have the irritating recalls or flood of complaints that plague the worst years, but they also might not have the wow factor of the best ones.
Here’s a pro tip: Keep an eye on those NHTSA recalls. The more recalls and complaints a model year has, the lower its reliability rating drops. It’s not complicated science, but it’s essential info when you’re car shopping.
Ready to find out which Telluride years excel and which ones fizzle? Let’s dig in!
Best & Worst Years for Kia Telluride 1st Generation (2020-Present)
The Kia Telluride hit the streets in 2020, turning heads with its comprehensive list of safety features and a spacious interior that could swallow up to eight passengers. It quickly became the go-to choice for families who wanted more than just a people-mover.
Want the cream of the crop? The facelifted 2023 and 2024 models are the peaks of this generation. But buyer beware: the 2020 model is the problematic sheep you’ll want to avoid.
The Best Years: 2023, 2024
The 2023 and 2024 Tellurides aren’t just outstanding – they’re the top of the bunch. Here’s why:
Under the hood, you’ll still find that robust 3.8L V6 engine pumping out 291 horses. It’s paired with a sophisticated 8-speed automatic transmission, giving you a respectable 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.
But Kia didn’t just rest on its laurels. They cranked up the tech, giving you a massive 10.25-inch infotainment screen that’s basically a tablet on your dash. The driver assistance features got a boost too, with improved forward collision avoidance and lane-keeping systems that’ll make you feel like you’ve got a co-pilot.
Step inside, and you might think you’ve wandered into a luxury car showroom by mistake. The optional Nappa leather seating is so sumptuous, you’ll be looking for excuses to take the lengthy way home.
Safety? These models aced it, snagging the prestigious Top Safety Pick + award from IIHS.
For those who want to go all out, the new SX Prestige trim is like the premium section of the Telluride world. We’re talking head-up display, Harman Kardon audio that’ll make your favorite songs sound crisp, and a 360-degree camera system that gives you eyes everywhere.
Bottom line: The 2023 and 2024 Tellurides took everything exceptional about the earlier models and cranked it up to 11. If you’re in the market, these are the years to pursue.
The Neutral Years: 2021, 2022
The 2021 and 2022 Tellurides are like the middle child of the family – dependable performers that might not get all the attention, but they’re steadfast when it matters.
You’re still getting that powerful 3.8L V6 engine, and Kia didn’t skimp on the safety tech. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and optional all-wheel-drive are all present and accounted for.
But it wasn’t all effortless sailing. Some owners reported mysterious windshield cracks popping up out of nowhere. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s something to keep in consideration.
On the plus side, if you’re into the enigmatic and mysterious look, the Nightfall Edition brought some seriously fashionable black accents to the table.
These years are like a reliable, steadfast friend. They might not be the life of the party, but they’ll always have your back.
The Worst Years: 2020
Every family has its black sheep, and for the Telluride, it’s the 2020 model. Here’s the scoop on why this initial year stumbled out of the gate:
First up, the lights. Some owners found themselves playing “whack-a-mole” with intense beam headlight failures. Not exactly what you want when you’re driving down a pitch-black isolated road.
Then there’s the puzzling case of the cracking windshields. Owners reported cracks appearing as if by magic, leaving everyone scratching their heads.
But wait, there’s more! Recalls started rolling in faster than a Telluride down a steep hill. Inoperative trailer brake lights? Check. Potential fire hazards while parked or driving? Double check.
Look, every new model has some teething problems. But these issues hit the 2020 Telluride where it hurts: reliability. For a family SUV, that’s a significant no-no.
Want to see the detailed specifics? Check out the NHTSA’s 2020 Kia Telluride recalls and complaints. It’s not simple reading, but it’ll give you the complete picture.
Kia Telluride Resale Values
Curious about how well the Telluride holds its value? We’ve got you covered:
This graph isn’t just attractive colors – it’s a roadmap to understanding how well your investment might pay off down the road.
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? If you’re eager to get behind the wheel of a Kia Telluride, aim for the 2023 or 2024 models.
They’ve ironed out the kinks and added some substantial upgrades. But if someone offers you a killer deal on a 2020 model, you might want to think twice.
Now, we want to hear from you! What attributes make or break an SUV in your book? Are you all about the latest tech, or is reliability your top priority?
Drop a comment below and let’s get the discussion rolling!
