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Are you considering purchasing a Kia Telluride SUV after all the hype? We don’t blame you. The Telluride has been taking home awards left and right and seems to be a reliable choice. Check out some of the reasons below that have made the Telluride a top pick for drivers over the last few years.

A Kia Telluride SUV at an event
The 2020 Kia Telluride SUV production model on display | Sean Proctor/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Kia Telluride seems to encompass the best of all the worlds. It is reasonably priced but has some available upgrades. The Telluride has room for seven or eight passengers and has a spacious interior.

Additionally, the SUV comes with many safety features. Kelley Blue Book gave the Telluride the Best Buy award winner for overall value. Owners gave the Kia SUV high marks on all sections, including comfort, safety, reliability, and value. The starting price for the front-wheel-drive LX model is around $31,990. The Kia Telluride has a 3.8L V6 engine. It gets about 20 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The fuel tank is 18.8 gallons, enough for road trips with the whole family.

Kia notes the curb weight is 4,112 pounds, and the Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds. In the cargo area, the Telluride has 87 cubic feet of room. With the available trim options and upgrades, you can make the Telluride the SUV of your dreams for under $50,000.

Here are some of the Kia Telluride trim options

The 2021 Telluride has a few trim options. As previously noted, the LX starts at $32,190. It has automatic emergency braking and warning, blind-spot detection technology, and cruise control.

The S model starts at $34,590. It offers a power sunroof and 20-inch wheels. It also has a remote start and heated front seats. The EX has all of the other features, plus an upgraded navigation area. It has wireless phone charging, a power liftgate, heated/ventilated front seats, which starts at $37,590.

Finally, the SX trim is at the top level. It has LED headlights and fogs, dual sunroofs, Harman Kardon audio, and second-row captain’s chairs. Starting at $42,490, the price is still lower than some competitors.

In addition to these options, each one has available upgrades you can choose from. You can get upgraded wheels, infotainment systems, and other audio upgrades. Whatever you need to make the SUV of your dreams.

Which is better: Ford Explorer or Kia Telluride?

The Ford Explorer is a popular SUV that is often compared to the Telluride. Everyone knows Ford makes a solid SUV but is it worth picking over the Kia? Not really. The 2021 Explorer has room for seven passengers and starts at $32,675. It also offers a variety of trim levels and has a roomy interior. The Explorer is ready for exploring, yet it hasn’t changed much in the last few years.

You cannot beat Kia’s 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty for the powertrain pretty much. For 2020 and 2021, the Telluride is one of the more recommended SUVs for families. Similarly, if you are looking for an SUV with a little more room, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner has more cargo space. Consumer Reports gave the cargo space a four out of five, but it is similar in price. For the base model, the 4Runner will cost anywhere from $36,765-$50,775.

It also scored a four out of five for predicted owner satisfaction and a five out of five for reliability. These are similar options if the Telluride isn’t right for you.

This article was updated on 11/12/2022.

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Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.