Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Kia Telluride Model Years (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateBest Kia Telluride Model Years (Ranked)
The Kia Telluride arrived in 2020 and instantly became one of the most acclaimed three-row SUVs ever, winning North American Utility Vehicle of the Year and earning near-luxury praise at a mainstream price. Every Telluride uses the same proven 3.8L V6, so this ranking sorts model years by feature content, refinement, reliability, recall history, and used value — with real specs and current pricing.
Because demand has stayed sky-high since launch, used Tellurides hold value unusually well, so knowing which year and trim to target matters more than usual. There is no truly bad Telluride, but there is a smartest one for your budget, and this guide pinpoints it.
Direct Answer
The Best Overall Kia Telluride is the 2023-2024 (facelifted 1st generation), with the smooth 3.8L V6 making 291 hp, a refreshed rugged design, the off-road-flavored X-Pro trim, dual 12.3-inch screens, and the most standard safety; clean examples run $36,000 to $50,000.
The Best Value pick is the 2020-2021 (early 1st generation), the same V6 and near-luxury cabin for $28,000 to $38,000. There is no truly "bad" Telluride, but the 2020 first-year model had a few early recalls worth verifying. This guide is for families wanting a near-luxury three-row SUV that holds its value.
How We Ranked These Telluride Model Years
Because every Telluride shares the same 291-hp 3.8L V6 and 8-speed automatic, raw performance does not separate the years — so we ranked on what does. Feature content and trim carried the most weight, since the jump from a base LX to a loaded SX-Prestige changes the experience dramatically.
Refinement and styling updates mattered, with the 2023 facelift bringing a tougher look and modern screens. Reliability and recall history factored in heavily, especially for first-year 2020 cars. Finally, used value rounded out the score, accounting for the Telluride's famously strong resale.
Specs and recall notes were verified against Edmunds, Car and Driver, and NHTSA.
1. 2023-2024 (Facelift) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The refreshed 2023-2024 Telluride is the best version, with a tougher new face, updated taillights, and a modernized cabin featuring dual 12.3-inch curved screens. The proven 3.8L V6 makes 291 hp and 262 lb-ft through an 8-speed automatic with available all-wheel drive.
The new X-Line and X-Pro trims add off-road touches, raised ride height, and a higher tow rating. It seats seven or eight with available second-row captain's chairs and a panoramic roof. Used value: $36,000 to $50,000.
The most refined, best-equipped, and most rugged Telluride yet — the clear top pick, and the design update keeps it looking current next to newer rivals.
2. 2020-2021 (Early 1st Gen) 💎 BEST VALUE
The original Telluride stunned the market with near-luxury materials, a quiet cabin, and three genuinely usable rows, all built on the same hardware as today's cars. The 3.8L V6 (291 hp), 8-speed automatic, and available AWD are identical to the newest models. It seats seven or eight and offers available Nappa leather, a head-up display, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon system in SX trim.
Used value: $28,000 to $38,000. You get virtually the same SUV as a 2024 for thousands less. The value champion — just verify the early recalls were addressed and you have an outstanding family hauler.
3. 2022 (1st Gen, Pre-Facelift)
The 2022 Telluride is the most refined pre-facelift year, adding new trims (including the rugged-look Nightfall package), more standard safety, and minor tech updates. The 3.8L V6 (291 hp), 8-speed automatic, and available AWD carry over, seating seven or eight.
Used value: $33,000 to $44,000. It splits the difference between the value early cars and the pricier facelift, with most of the refinement and fewer first-year worries. A strong pick if you want a nearly-current Telluride without paying full facelift prices, and the production was well-sorted by this point.
4. 2025 (Latest)
The 2025 Telluride continues the facelifted formula with the 3.8L V6 (291 hp), 8-speed automatic, available AWD, the X-Pro off-road trim, and the latest infotainment and safety, seating seven or eight. Used value (lightly used): $42,000 to $54,000. Mechanically and visually matching the top pick with remaining factory warranty, it ranks here only because used examples sell at or near MSRP given persistent demand.
Excellent if you want the freshest Telluride and can find one without a dealer markup, which remains the challenge with this model.
5. 2023 SX-Prestige X-Pro (Top Off-Road)
The 2023 SX-Prestige X-Pro earns a callout as the most capable, loaded Telluride. It pairs the 291-hp V6 and standard AWD with all-terrain tires, a raised ride height, a 5,500-lb tow rating, and the full luxury suite — quilted Nappa leather, dual sunroofs, ventilated second-row seats, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon system.
It seats seven. Used value: $42,000 to $50,000. It is the closest thing to a luxury off-road three-row at this price point.
Worth the premium for buyers who want maximum capability and equipment combined in a single trim.
6. 2021 SX (Loaded Pre-Facelift Value)
The 2021 SX trim is a smart loaded-but-affordable target. It brings the 291-hp V6, available AWD, Nappa leather, a head-up display, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and the full driver-assist suite, seating seven or eight. Used value: $32,000 to $40,000.
You get near-flagship equipment at early-car pricing, with the exact same drivetrain as any newer Telluride. A favorite of value-focused buyers who want the top features without the facelift premium — confirm the early recalls were completed and you have a near-luxury SUV for mainstream money.
7. 2022 Nightfall Edition
The 2022 Nightfall Edition added blacked-out trim, dark wheels, and unique styling to the well-equipped Telluride, keeping the 3.8L V6 (291 hp), 8-speed automatic, and available AWD, seating seven or eight. Used value: $34,000 to $44,000. It is purely a cosmetic upgrade over a standard 2022, so the appeal is style rather than substance or capability.
Worth seeking if you love the murdered-out look and want a late pre-facelift car — otherwise a standard 2022 saves money for identical mechanicals and the same roomy interior.
8. 2020 LX/S (Budget Entry)
The base 2020 LX and S trims are the cheapest way into Telluride ownership, with the same 291-hp V6, 8-speed automatic, and available AWD, seating seven or eight. Used value: $26,000 to $33,000. You lose the luxury leather and premium audio, but you keep the core refinement, ride quality, and three usable rows that earned the Telluride its awards.
The trade-off is that these are first-year cars with a few early recalls — verify completion. A genuine bargain entry into the most acclaimed three-row SUV of its era.
9. 2024 X-Line (Mild Off-Road)
The 2024 X-Line sits below the X-Pro, adding a slightly raised ride height, unique bumpers, and rugged styling while keeping street tires, the 291-hp V6, standard AWD, and the full tech suite, seating seven or eight. Used value: $38,000 to $47,000. It looks the part without the all-terrain-tire road-noise penalty of the X-Pro, so it stays quiet on the highway.
A good middle-ground pick for buyers who want the rugged appearance and a modest capability bump while keeping comfortable daily-driver manners and lower running costs.
10. 2020 (First-Year, Inspect Carefully)
The debut 2020 Telluride is historically significant and still excellent, with the 3.8L V6 (291 hp), 8-speed automatic, and available AWD, seating seven or eight. Used value: $26,000 to $36,000. It earns the last spot only because, as a first-year model, it had a handful of early recalls (including trailer-hitch wiring and roof-rail items).
With all recalls verified as completed and a clean pre-purchase inspection, a 2020 is a strong value — the underlying SUV is the same award-winner that launched the nameplate, so the due diligence is the only catch.
How to Choose
Every Telluride shares the same 291-hp V6, so choose by year, trim, and price rather than performance. If you want the newest design and off-road trims, target the 2023-2024 facelift. For the best value, the 2020-2021 cars deliver the same near-luxury experience for thousands less.
Decide whether you want a loaded SX/Prestige trim or a budget LX, and whether the rugged X-Line/X-Pro styling appeals to you. On any 2020 car, confirm all recalls were completed and inspect carefully before buying, since first-year quirks are the only real risk.
FAQ
What is the best Kia Telluride year to buy? The 2023-2024 facelift is the best overall, with refreshed styling, the X-Pro off-road trim, and the most standard tech. For value, the 2020-2021 early cars offer the same V6 and near-luxury cabin for noticeably less money.
Are there any Kia Telluride years to avoid? There is no truly bad year, but the 2020 first-year model had several early recalls (trailer-hitch wiring, roof-rail items). It is fine to buy if all recalls are documented as completed and the SUV passes a thorough inspection.
Does the Kia Telluride hold its value? Yes — the Telluride has unusually strong resale due to persistent demand. Used examples often sell close to original prices, so the discount over a new one is smaller than for most three-row SUVs, which makes a clean early car a smart buy.
How reliable is the Kia Telluride? The Telluride has earned solid reliability ratings, helped by its proven 3.8L V6 and 8-speed automatic. Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty (5-year/60,000-mile on later resales) adds peace of mind on newer used cars.
Bottom Line
The Kia Telluride redefined the value three-row SUV, and the 2023-2024 facelift is the Best Overall pick — 291-hp V6, rugged new styling, the X-Pro trim, and top tech for $36,000 to $50,000. Value shoppers should target the 2020-2021 early cars, our Best Value, with the identical drivetrain and near-luxury cabin for $28,000 to $38,000.
Since every Telluride shares the same V6, choose by trim and price, verify recalls on 2020 models, and expect strong resale when you sell. Do that, and a used Telluride remains one of the smartest family-SUV buys you can make.
Sources
- Edmunds — Kia Telluride reviews and used pricing
- Kelley Blue Book (KBB) — Telluride values
- Car and Driver — Kia Telluride reviews
- NHTSA — Kia Telluride recalls and complaints
- Consumer Reports — Telluride reliability
- MotorTrend — Kia Telluride buyer's guide
- Kia Media — Telluride specifications
*Kia Telluride review — Kia Telluride reviews, rating, best Kia Telluride year 2027, and a review of the best Telluride model years to buy used.*