The Kia Telluride debuted for the 2020 model year and hit the SUV segment with a bang. Automatically garnering popularity and top ratings from experts, the Telluride excelled all expectations. But with a new model year rolling around, can the 2021 Kia Telluride keep up the momentum? According to experts, the newest Telluride is here to dominate yet again.

The 2021 Kia Telluride steals the hearts of Edmunds’ experts (again)

It’s safe to say that the experts at Edmunds have a favorite SUV of the year, again. Stating that the 2021 Kia Telluride “has deeply impressed” them since its debut for the 2020 model year, Edmunds’ experts claim that the roomy, three-row SUV simply “does things a little better than the rest.”

Even after its long-term testing, Edmunds’ “fondness for the Telluride has only grown.” And it appears hard for Edmunds to choose what the 2021 Kia Telluride does best, citing its luxury-like cabin, smooth and comfortable ride, roomy seating, feature abundance, and competitive pricing among the many reasons why buyers should consider it. 

Even when comparing the new Telluride with a segment full of capable SUVs, Edmunds experts say it is “a step above competitors” and their “favorite,” without hesitation or shame.

There’s no debate: everyone loves it

While it’s true that experts can hold a certain bias when it comes to vehicles they test, Edmunds’ favoritism toward the 2021 Kia Telluride is easily justified. The midsize SUV segment is the fasting growing as well as one of the most competitive, but the Kia Telluride has no problems earning its merit as one of the best.

Car and Driver experts give the newest 2021 Kia Telluride an astonishing overall rating of 10/10. This score is not often handed out by C&D experts, but after a test drive, the 2021 Kia Telluride proved that “it exceeds its mission of moving people and their stuff better than anything in its class.” In addition to providing “unrivaled levels of luxury” at an “absolute bargain” price, Kia managed to outshine “its midsize SUV competitors in all the important categories.”

Even U.S. News ranks the 2021 Kia Telluride as the second-best midsize SUV of the year and the No. 1 SUV with three rows. Only managing to find its average fuel-economy ratings as a downfall, U.S. News experts say that the 2021 Telluride “offers a mix of refinement, practicality, and value that few other midsize SUVs can match.”

Why the 2021 Kia Telluride is on the top of everyone’s list

At its debut for the 2020 model year, the Kia Telluride astonished experts and buyers alike with its tremendous balance of quality and value. Although the only new thing buyers will find this model year is a few cosmetic changes, that’s not a bad thing. Not much has changed for the 2021 Telluride, still providing top-notch performance and features at a reasonable price. 

Starting at around $33,000, the 2021 Telluride does not have the lowest starting price of its class. But the Telluride provides more value than cheaper SUVs in the segment, with plenty of cargo and passenger space, comfortable seating, a class-leading third row, a potent and efficient engine, superior handling, and a long list of standard tech and safety features.

Standard features, even in base trims, include a 291-hp V6 engine, an 8-inch touchscreen, push-button start, and a variety of safety tech like a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Adding to the Telluride’s value is its above-average predicted reliability rating, backed by Kia’s impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.