“Kia telluride has been great for our growing family, the fold-down rear seats are wonderful for extra space when needed. The car handles wonderfully in wet conditions!!”
2021 Kia Telluride: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The 2021 Kia Telluride is mostly a carryover, with no redesign or major mechanical changes. The headline update is a remote engine-start button on the key fob for every trim.
About the 2021 Kia Telluride
1st generation Telluride, second model year after the 2020 debut.
Kia positions the Telluride as a big, bold three-row family SUV that blends everyday comfort with light-adventure usefulness. The core pitch is simple: roomy seating for up to eight, a strong V6, available AWD, meaningful towing ability, and a cabin that feels more upscale than shoppers usually expect at this size and price point. It is aimed at families who want road-trip space, easy access to all three rows, and a lot of safety tech without stepping into a luxury-brand SUV.
The LX is the practical entry trim, with eight-passenger seating, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a broad set of driver-assistance features. The S adds second-row captain’s chairs, a sunroof, and heated front seats, while the EX moves further upscale with leather, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and a hands-free power liftgate. The SX tops the range with dual sunroofs, Harman Kardon audio, added camera views, and heated and ventilated front seats.
What changed, by category
Tech
Every trim gets a remote engine-start button on the key fob, and the trailer connection changes from a 4-pin setup to a 7-pin wiring harness. The SX’s heated steering wheel also becomes standard rather than optional.
2021 Kia Telluride specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, GDI, 3.8 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.8 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.8 Liter | V6, GDI, 3.8 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | FWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Horsepower | 291 hp | 291 hp | 291 hp | 291 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 87 cu-ft | 87 cu-ft | 87 cu-ft | 87 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 31.4 in | 31.4 in | 31.4 in | 31.4 in |
| Seats | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||
| Alarm System | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| 360 Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | ||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Roof Rails | ||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Subwoofer | ||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Rear Window Shades | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
| Third Row Seat | ||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||
| Wood Interior Trim | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2021 Kia Telluride?
The biggest change is a remote engine-start button built into the key fob on every 2021 Telluride trim. The rest of the vehicle is largely carried over from 2020.
Does every 2021 Kia Telluride have remote engine start?
Yes. Every 2021 Telluride trim—LX, S, EX, and SX—has remote engine start from a button on the key fob.
Did the 2021 Kia Telluride get a new engine or transmission?
No. The 2021 Telluride has no major mechanical change and retains its 3.8-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission.
What changed for towing on the 2021 Kia Telluride?
The trailer wiring changes from a 4-pin connection to a 7-pin harness across the 2021 Telluride lineup. This is an electrical connection update rather than a new engine or towing system.
Which 2021 Kia Telluride trim has the most camera and audio technology?
The SX has the most camera and audio technology in the 2021 lineup. It has a surround-view camera, a blind-spot camera display, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation.
2021 Kia Telluride Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Kia Telluride.
4.5
2021 Kia Telluride
(333 reviews)
“Beautiful car that is extremely comfortable. Everyone looks at it or comments on it. Only issue we have is not even 3k miles in and our sunroof already won't open and they can't get us in for service for the next 5 weeks due to how busy they are.”
“It's great vehicle. Technology is great and easy to use. Plenty of power and storage space. However being a new vehicle, there may be some quality control issues. Like some trim on mine. Overall, very happy with this and the warranty provided.”