2021 Kia Telluride MPG and Fuel Cost
The 2021 Kia Telluride is rated 21 to 23 mpg combined across 2 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 3.8L 6-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic.
EPA fuel economy
2021 Kia Telluride · 2 EPA-tested versionsBest EPA rating
23MPG combined
20 city 26 highway
$2,800 a year to fuel
3.8L 6-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic
Best version costs $2,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)
Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.32 a gallon (regular gas).
At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,800 to $3,100 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2020.
Every 2021 Telluride version
EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.
| Version | Combined | City / Hwy | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
3.8L 6-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic Best
EPA listing: Telluride FWD |
23 mpg | 20 / 26 | $2,800 |
3.8L 6-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic
EPA listing: Telluride AWD |
21 mpg | 19 / 24 | $3,100 |
Fuel cost at your prices
EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.32 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.
| Version | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
3.8L 6-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic | $2,817 | $14,087 |
3.8L 6-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic | $3,086 | $15,429 |
At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.
Kia Telluride MPG by model year
The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 22 to 23 mpg (every year from 2020 to 2025); highest in 2020.
2021: gas 23 mpgTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| Model year | Best gas version |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 22 |
How the 2021 Telluride compares
2021 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.
| 2021 model | Best combined | Best gas | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
Best: hybrid |
36 mpg | 24 mpg | $1,800 |
Best: hybrid |
27 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,400 |
Kia Telluride This page Best: gas |
23 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,800 |
Best: gas |
21 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,100 |
2021 Telluride recalls and complaints
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 365 owner complaints for the 2021 Telluride.What they cover, and crash test ratingsQuestions
Does AWD lower the 2021 Kia Telluride's gas mileage?
Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 2 mpg: the 3.8L 6-cyl gets 23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 21 with AWD.
Does the 2021 Kia Telluride need premium gas?
No. EPA lists every 2021 Kia Telluride version on regular gasoline.
How does the 2021 Telluride's MPG compare with the 2020?
For 2021, the best gas version is rated 23 mpg, the same as the year before.
Sources and method
- US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 18, 2026.
- EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.32, midgrade $4.93, premium $5.32, diesel $6.29 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
- Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Sep 27, 2026 and complaint file dated Sep 26, 2026.
Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.