The 2021 Kia Telluride is the next version of the brand’s recent addition in the growing, family-oriented, mid-size class. The largest Kia’s crossover gets attention with the bold styling while earns high marks for the interior utility and upscale treatment. The Kia Telluride is also generous on standard features and cargo room. The model equips lots of standard active safety systems and tech as well.
As for the changes expected for the 2021 model year, there should be just a few of them. The model should offer new color and wheel choices and some sources suggest an additional trim option. Kia will also make some changes to the equipment organization. There are no signs that Kia will introduce a new powertrain solution.
With the Telluride in its crossover range, Kia Motors offers an alternative to the models such as the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, VW Atlas and Chevy Traverse.
2021 Kia Telluride: Design
The next 2021 Kia Telluride comes on the stage just a year after the model’s introduction and there is no much room for improvement. The Telluride should just make some changes in the equipment availability and offer new body color and wheel options.
The mid-size Telluride shares the platform with the smaller Sorrento and Hyundai Palisade. The model stretches 196.9 inches in length and 78.3 inches in width. The wheelbase measures 114.2 inches.
The large Kia Telluride crossover has a boxy silhouette and nice styling details. The front section is dominated by the wide tiger-nose grille which takes position between narrow, upright headlights. The shapely front bumper and elegant hood shaping add also to its modern look.
The Telluride is also attractive from the profile thanks to the sharp charter line and sculpted fenders. The rear is also nicely resolved where narrow, upright taillights catch attention immediately. The contrasting elements will also be present on the front and rear sections as well as on the profile side.
Interior, Equipment:
The cabin of the Telluride is also well-designed and equipped from the entry-level version. The model uses attractive materials and gets high marks for build quality. The dash is simple with well-organized controls. There is also room for eight and up to 87 cubic feet of the cargo space. With the first and second rows operational, the cargo capacity is still significant with 46 cubes at disposal.
At the equipment level, the Telluride comes with a long list of standard features including active safety systems. The base Telluride equips an 8-inch touchscreen, simulated-leather upholstery, automatic headlights, six speakers, satellite radio and Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The list of standard safety equipment includes lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
The next in line trim switches to the 20-inch wheels, heated front seats, and adds a sunroof. The EX version gets leather upholstery, a 10.3-inch touchscreen, three-zone climate control, wireless charging, ventilated front seats, etc. The top-grade Telluride will also add ambient lighting, Harman Kardon sound system, an upgraded instrument panel, surround-view cameras, etc.
2021 Kia Telluride: Performance, Efficiency
On the performance front, the next 2021 Kia Telluride will again rely on the same V-6 engine as the current version and there are no signs that Kia will offer optional powertrain.
A 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V-6 engine comes in the combination with the 8-speed automatic transmission. This combination is good for 291 hp and torque of 262 pound-feet. The largest Kia in the US will also be available with the front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive which will demand addition $2, 000.
The Telluride can tow up to 5, 000 pounds and it will be available with the self-leveling rear suspension.
The fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway or 23 combined. With the power on all wheels, the model loses 1 mpg from the city rating and 2 mpg from the highway score compared to the two-wheel drive.
2021 Kia Telluride: Release, Price
The 2021 Kia Telluride should have the on-sale date in the spring of 2020. The price is expected to stay close to the current range. The base Telluride starts now from $31,690. The current model costs $43, 490 in the best-equipped form.