Kelley Blue Book Names Telluride Midsize SUV Best Buy of 2021

December 11th, 2020 by

2021 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Kia Telluride has topped the 3-row SUV category in Kelley Blue Books Best Buy awards for 2021 thanks to its bold styling, and its high-quality and roomy interior.

Last year, the Telluride was named Best New Model thanks to its design, comfort, utility, and value, and this year those same traits have earned it another Best Buy Award.

The Telluride is a large, muscular SUV with a large grille and a boxy profile. Its exterior helps it stand out among other three-row SUVs and the orange rectangular daytime running lights help announce the Telluride’s arrival.

The Telluride is not only rugged-looking, it also benefits from a shape in which form follows function. The flat roof and squared-off sides translate into plenty of headroom and cargo space inside. While the Telluride is tall and bold, it’s not as intimidating as some full-size pickups.

Interior Features

One of the features that Kelley Blue Book mentions is the Tellurides luxurious interior. There are plenty of soft-touch materials and wood accents that give the Telluride a sense of character. The top SX Trim level features Nappa Leather which rivals the look, quality, and feel of the competition.

The dashboard features a large center touchscreen with easy-to-use controls and buttons. The center console holds the traditional shift lever and a center bin that offers plenty of extra storage.

The front bucket seats are comfortable and supportive. 7- or 8-passenger models are available that allow enough room for adults to ride comfortably in the third row. With both the second and third row folded down, the Telluride offers 87 cubic feet of space.

Power

All Kia Telluride SUVs feature the same powertrain. The 3.8-liter V6 puts out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Depending on trim level, that output is sent to the front axle or all four corners through available all-wheel drive (AWD). An 8-speed automatic transmission provides smooth, seamless gear changes.

Standard Safety

  • Blind-Spot Monitoring
  • Lane-Departure Warning
  • Lane-Keeping Assist
  • Forward-Collision Warning
  • Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Adaptive Cruise Control

Higher trim levels feature side camera views that show the right or left side of the vehicle when the turn signal is activated.

Posted in Awards, Telluride