How Long Do Kia Tellurides Last? (Miles & Years)

Are you looking for an elegant SUV that is big enough to accommodate your large family and all their luggage? Then, you should get the Kia Telluride.

With a stylish exterior, the Telluride has seven seats and a large cabin that makes it perfect for big families.

In this article, we explore the longevity of Kia Tellurides.

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Here is the short answer to how long the Kia Telluride lasts:

A Kia Telluride can last for about 200,000 miles if you keep up with maintenance and care for the vehicle. If you drive an average of 15k miles per year, the vehicle should last about 13 years. But you will have to be punctual with maintenance to achieve this mileage.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Kia Telluride?

Your Kia Telluride should last for about 200,00 miles before it goes out of use.

If you maintain your car regularly and avoid harsh braking while driving, your Kia Telluride may even travel for more than 200,000 miles.

Kia released the Telluride in 2020, so most of the units on the road are still relatively new and have very few issues. In the last decade, Kia’s vehicles have increased in quality and durability, and you can expect them to last over a decade without major faults.

Check also our full overview of how long SUVs last.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on Your Kia Telluride?

There are no complaints about rust on the Kia Telluride. This might be because the model is fairly new, introduced only in 2020.

Still, we can conclude that you can use your Telluride for an entire year without seeing any rust.

That said, several Kia Telluride owners often confuse rail dust for rust. Rail dust are pieces of metal on rail tracks that fly onto cars when people transport vehicles by train.

At first, rail dust may be too tiny to be seen by the naked eye. But if you don’t clean the dust immediately after purchasing it, it may become visible and affect the paint job on your car.

To prevent rail dust from accumulating on your Telluride, apply clay bar on the car after buying it.

How Long Do Kia Tellurides Last Compared to Similar Cars?

Are you considering whether you should buy a Kia Telluride?

We will compare the Telluride against similar SUVs for longevity to help you make your decision below.

But first, make sure you know why SUVs last longer than regular cars.

Kia Telluride vs. Chevrolet Traverse

The Kia Telluride and Chevrolet Traverse have similar durability levels. Both cars can last for an average of 200,000 miles.

Kia Telluride vs. Ford Explorer

You can expect your Kia Telluride to last for the same amount of time as a Ford Explorer.

With proper care, the Kia Telluride will probably travel for 200,000 miles before developing major issues. Likewise, Ford Explorers can also last up to 200,000 miles or more.

Kia Telluride vs. Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander can last up to 300,000 miles or more before you need to carry out major upgrades.

With an average annual maintenance cost of $489, the Highlander is also cheaper to maintain than the Telluride, which has an estimated annual maintenance cost of $474.

If you are considering buying any of the two, the Toyota Highlander is the longer lasting and cheaper to maintain.

How Reliable Is a Kia Telluride?

The Kia Telluride is a top player in reliability ratings. For instance, J.D. Power ranks the 2020 model of the Kia Telluride an 83 out of 100. Likewise, the Kia Telluride received applause from Consumer Reports for its reliable safety features, traction, and large cabin.

Although the Telluride’s dependability is commendable, the brand-new Kia SUV still has a few shortcomings. Several Telluride owners made complaints about their vehicle’s touchscreen display on Consumer Reports. According to them, the screens were often unresponsive to their commands.

The Best and Worst Model Years of the Kia Telluride

Carcomplaints.com ranks 2020 as the worst model year for the Kia Telluride. The website received negative reports about five different issues in the Telluride model. The most severe problem in the SUV was engine overheating.

Some 2020 Kia Telluride owners claimed that their engine overheated whenever they stopped the vehicle temporarily on the highway. Other 2020 Telluride users said they found it difficult to roll up their vehicle’s windows.

2021 is the best model year for the Kia Telluride. In the Consumer Reports performance ratings, the 2021 Kia Telluride is one of the models with the highest ratings. Likewise, carcomplaints.com hasn’t received any complaints about the model year since its release.

You should also be reading our article which talks about How Long Do Kia Optimas Last?

What About Recalls for These Models?

Kia recalled some 2020 Kia Telluride models to repair their faulty seatbelts. When a seatbelt is not secured correctly, the child in the seat could sustain severe injuries during an accident.

Certain 2021 Kia Telluride also got recalled over manufacturing errors in their front passenger airbags. If a child occupies the car’s front seat during an accident, they may get seriously injured.

Kia Telluride Model Year List

Here is the list of Kia Telluride model year:

2020 Kia Telluride
2021 Kia Telluride
2022 Kia Telluride

Are Kia Tellurides Expensive to Maintain?

The Kia Telluride is cheap to maintain. According to repairpal.com, it only costs about $474 per year to maintain a Kia Telluride. In contrast, you need about $573 to service the average midsize SUV annually.

How Long Do Kia Telluride Brake Pads Last?

Your original Kia Telluride brake pads will probably last between 30,000 to 70,000 miles. However, your brake pads may wear out within a shorter period if you live in a city with many traffic lights. This is because stopping your car frequently will take a toll on your brakes.

If your brake pads make loud vibrations while driving, it may be a sign that you need to change them.

To increase the lifespan of your Kia Telluride brake pads, avoid harsh braking. Instead, anticipate when you need to stop your car on the highway and gradually bring your Telluride to a standstill.

How Long Do Kia Telluride Tires Last?

You can expect your Kia Telluride tires to last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles. When they need to be replaced, your Kia Telluride tires may start wearing out around their sidewalls.

Your Kia Telluride tires will last for a long time if you rotate them after every 5000-mile interval. Also, inspecting and maintaining the air pressure in your tires can extend their lifespan.

How Long Do Kia Telluride Transmissions Last?

Kia Telluride transmissions can last as long as 200,000 miles. If you take proper care of your transmissions, you may never need to change your transmissions throughout the lifetime of your car.

Watch out for fluid leaks, burning smells, and unusual clunking noises. These signs often mean that your transmissions are worn out.

How Long Do Kia Telluride Spark Plugs Last?

The average Kia Telluride spark plug should last for over 30,000 miles. However, we advise that you change your spark plugs if your car’s performance becomes lower than usual.

What About Insurance Cost for Kia Tellurides?

On the average, insurance policies for Kia Tellurides cost about $1,280 per year, according to insuraviz.com

That said, individual insurance premiums for Tellurides may differ from person to person based on the following factors:

Age: Because of their lack of driving experience, insurance companies offer vehicle insurance to teenagers and young adults at high prices. On the other hand, drivers over 50-years of age get their car insurance at low rates.
Gender: Insurance premiums for male drivers are usually costlier than car insurance policies for women because men tend to drive more dangerously than women.
Location: Your car insurance may charge you a lot of money if you live in an area where crime is rampant.
Driving Record: If you have a poor driving record, your insurance premium will most likely be expensive.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Kia Telluride

These tips can help you prolong the lifespan of your Kia Telluride:

Refill your engine oil regularly. Experts recommend that you change your oil after each 7,500-mile interval.
Rotate your Kia Telluride tires after every 5,000 miles.
Apply wax on your car at least twice a year to delay rust.
When your warning light turns on, diagnose and resolve the problem immediately.
Visit a licensed Kia service shop occasionally to service your car.
Buy only genuine replacement parts for your Kia Telluride.

Resources

2020 Kia Telluride | jdpower.com

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