For shoppers who want a three-row SUV that feels more “near-luxury” than mainstream, the 2021 KIA TELLURIDE sits right at the heart of the conversation. It carries over the bold, squared-off styling that made it an instant hit, but for 2021 Kia adds a darker, edgier look with the new Nightfall Edition plus a few smart usability tweaks. Underneath the cosmetic changes, you still get the same proven V6 powertrain, generous cabin space, long list of driver-assistance tech, and a pricing structure that undercuts many rivals.
This overview walks through what’s new, how the trims and pricing break down, the engine and fuel economy story, and why the Telluride continues to be one of the most compelling family SUVs in the segment.
Nightfall Edition: Stealth Mode for the Family SUV
The biggest visual story for the 2021 model year is the Nightfall Edition package. Where the standard Telluride already looks imposing, the Nightfall Edition leans into a more aggressive, blacked-out aesthetic.
Instead of bright chrome, you get stealth-black exterior accents, unique dark-finished wheels, and a more sinister front-end treatment. It’s aimed at buyers who like the Telluride’s upright stance but want something that looks less “suburban mall” and more “stealthy road trip machine.”
Kia offers the Nightfall Edition in a range of eye-catching exterior colors, including familiar shades like Snow White Pearl, Everlasting Silver, Gravity Gray, Ebony Black, Sangria, Black Copper, and Dark Moss. It also introduces Wolf Gray, a new hue exclusive to the Nightfall Edition that pairs especially well with the blacked-out trim. The result is a family SUV that doesn’t fade into the background of a parking lot—especially at night.
Powertrain and Performance: Smooth V6 Confidence
Every 2021 KIA TELLURIDE is powered by a 3.8-liter GDI V6 engine. It produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, routed through an automatic transmission to either the front wheels (FWD) or all four wheels (AWD), depending on the trim and configuration.
On the road, the V6 emphasizes smooth, predictable power rather than outright speed. It’s well-matched to the Telluride’s mission: hauling families, luggage, and sometimes a trailer with ease. Acceleration is confident merging onto the highway, and the V6 pulls steadily even when the SUV is loaded up with passengers and cargo.
For light towing and weekend gear, Kia has upgraded the trailer towing harness from a 4-pin to a 7-pin connector for 2021, which is a small but meaningful improvement for owners who plan to tow regularly. It offers better compatibility with trailers that have more advanced lighting or brake setups, reinforcing the Telluride’s role as a capable road-trip and adventure partner.
Fuel Economy: Respectable Numbers for a Three-Row SUV
Despite its size and power, the 2021 KIA TELLURIDE returns competitive fuel economy for a naturally aspirated V6 three-row SUV.
EPA-estimated fuel economy is the same across all four trims:
- FWD (LX, S, EX, SX):
20 / 26 / 23 mpg (city / highway / combined) - AWD (LX, S, EX, SX):
19 / 24 / 21 mpg (city / highway / combined)
In real-world use, that means families can expect a good balance between power and efficiency, especially on longer highway stretches where the Telluride settles into a comfortable cruise.
Trims and Pricing: Value Packed at Every Level
One of the reasons the Telluride has gained so much traction in the U.S. market is its value story. Even the base trim comes nicely equipped, and stepping up through the lineup adds features that feel more luxury-brand than mainstream.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
(excluding $1,225 destination and other fees; actual prices vary by retailer)
- LX:
$32,190 (FWD) / $34,190 (AWD) - S:
$34,590 (FWD) / $36,590 (AWD) - EX:
$37,590 (FWD) / $39,590 (AWD) - SX:
$42,490 (FWD) / $44,390 (AWD)
The LX is your value gateway into the Telluride lineup, while the S adds more style and comfort touches that many buyers consider must-haves. The EX is a sweet spot for families who want more premium amenities without going all the way to the top. The SX sits at the peak with the most luxurious features and, when combined with the Nightfall Edition and AWD, delivers one of the most visually striking and fully loaded configurations in the segment.
For 2021, Kia also tweaks some color availability:
- Black Copper is now offered on S and EX trims.
- Sangria becomes available on the SX, paired with either Black or Gray leather, adding another upscale, rich-looking option for buyers who don’t want a neutral shade.
Convenience and Design Tweaks: Small Changes, Real Impact
Kia didn’t overhaul the Telluride for 2021, but it did make a few thoughtful enhancements that owners will notice in daily use:
- Remote engine start on the key fob:
This may seem small, but it’s a quality-of-life upgrade. Being able to start the engine and pre-condition the cabin (warming it up in winter or cooling it down in summer) directly from the key fob adds genuine convenience. - LED headlamps added to EX Premium Package:
Better visibility, a more modern look, and added safety all come with LED lighting. By rolling them into the EX Premium Package, Kia ensures that a key mid-level trim can be configured with lighting tech that matches the Telluride’s upscale feel.
These changes, combined with minor color and trim adjustments, show Kia is paying attention to how real customers use the vehicle and refining it year over year.
Driver Assistance and Safety Tech: Comprehensive from the Start
The 2021 KIA TELLURIDE is its extensive list of standard driver-assistance features. Rather than locking critical safety tech behind expensive packages, Kia includes many systems across the board, from LX up through SX.
Standard across LX, S, EX, SX:
- Rear View Monitor with parking guidance
- Parking Distance Warning – Reverse
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist – Rear
- Driver Attention Warning
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Forward Collision Warning
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Lane Following Assist
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
On EX and SX, Kia adds Highway Driving Assist, which works in combination with other systems to help maintain distance and lane position on certain highways. The SX alone also includes Parking Distance Warning – Forward, so you’re getting assistance at both ends of the vehicle in tight spaces.
It’s important to note—just as Kia emphasizes in its own documentation—that these technologies are driver aids, not self-driving systems. They can help warn, support, and in some cases gently intervene, but the driver remains responsible for vehicle control and safe operation at all times.
Size, Space, and Practicality: Built for Real Families
The 2021 KIA TELLURIDE doesn’t just look big; it is big, and that translates into serious interior room.
Key dimensions:
- Overall length: 196.9 in.
- Overall width: 78.3 in.
- Overall height: 68.9 in. (without roof rails) / 69.3 in. (with roof rails)
- Wheelbase: 114.2 in.
That long wheelbase helps give the Telluride a stable, planted feel on the highway while also delivering generous legroom across all three rows. Adults can actually sit in the third row without feeling like they drew the short straw, which is not something every three-row SUV can claim.
Cargo capacity is equally impressive, with up to 87.0 cubic feet of space when you fold down the rear rows. That makes it easy to transform from a people-hauler to a cargo van for IKEA runs, camping gear, or large strollers and luggage. Even with the third row in use, there’s enough room for grocery runs and weekend bags.
Who Is the 2021 KIA TELLURIDE For?
The 2021 KIA TELLURIDE is aimed squarely at families who:
- Need three usable rows
- Want an SUV that feels premium without a luxury-brand price tag
- Value advanced safety tech and want much of it standard
- Appreciate bold styling and the option of a stealthy Nightfall Edition
- Plan to do road trips, mild towing, and all-weather driving
If you’re cross-shopping competitors like the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander, or Ford Explorer, the Telluride stands out for its design, cabin quality, and value packaging. The addition of the Nightfall Edition doesn’t change the core formula, but it does give buyers a more emotional, design-forward variant that looks as upscale as it feels inside.
Related: 2020 KIA TELLURIDE – Big, Boxy, and Built for Real-World Adventure
Conclusion
In a crowded field of three-row SUVs, the 2021 KIA TELLURIDE continues to punch above its weight. Kia didn’t need to reinvent it for this model year; instead, the brand made smart, targeted updates—a more capable trailer harness, key-fob remote start, LED headlamps availability, and the dramatic Nightfall Edition.
Combined with a strong V6 engine, solid fuel economy for the segment, generous cargo and passenger space, and one of the most comprehensive suites of standard driver-assistance features, the 2021 Telluride remains a top recommendation for families who truly use their SUV every day.
For buyers looking at the used or certified pre-owned market now, understanding these 2021 updates helps you compare different model years and trim configurations more confidently—and explains why the 2021 KIA TELLURIDE is often considered a “sweet spot” in the Telluride lineup.
