When Kia dropped the Telluride in 2019 as a 2020 model, it wasn't just another SUV launch. It was a glitch in the matrix. People were actually paying $5,000 or $10,000 over sticker price for a Kia. Even the entry-level 2020 Kia Telluride LX was flying off lots before the plastic wrap could be peeled off the seats. It felt like everyone suddenly decided that this boxy, handsome rig was the only vehicle that mattered for family road trips. Honestly, looking back, the hype was mostly justified, though the "base model" LX badge hides a few things you should probably know before scouring the used market.
You've probably seen them everywhere. They have that "Range Rover on a budget" silhouette that makes them look way more expensive than they actually are. But the LX is the gatekeeper. It’s the trim for people who wanted the space and the look without the $50,000 price tag of the SX Prestige.
The Reality of the 2020 Kia Telluride LX Interior
Let’s be real: "Base model" usually implies a sea of scratchy plastic and a screen the size of a postage stamp. Not here. The 2020 Kia Telluride LX came surprisingly well-equipped. You got an 8-inch touchscreen that, while smaller than the 10.25-inch unit in the higher trims, still featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. That’s huge. It meant you didn't have to deal with clunky factory navigation because your phone handled everything anyway.
The seating is where the LX defines itself. Unlike the S or EX trims that offer captain's chairs, the LX is a strict eight-passenger affair. You get a second-row bench. For some, that’s a dealbreaker. For others with three kids or a big dog, it’s a necessity. The Sofino synthetic leather upholstery is actually tougher than the real leather found in the SX. It wipes down easily after a juice box explosion, which is basically the ultimate stress test for any family vehicle.
One thing that kinda catches people off guard is the lack of a sunroof. If you want that airy feel, the LX won't give it to you. It’s a solid metal roof overhead. But you do get five USB ports scattered throughout the cabin. Everyone stays charged. No "he's touching my cord" fights. Mostly.
Performance and the V6 Heartbeat
Under the hood of every 2020 Kia Telluride LX sits the same 3.8-liter Lambda II V6 engine found in the top-tier trims. It puts out 291 horsepower. That’s plenty. It doesn't feel like a race car, obviously, but it doesn't feel like a slug either when you're merging onto a busy interstate with six people and a week's worth of groceries in the back.
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The eight-speed automatic transmission is smooth, though it can be a bit hesitant to downshift if you're driving in "Eco" mode. Switch it to "Smart" or "Sport," and it wakes up. Fuel economy is... okay. You’re looking at about 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway for the Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) version. If you opted for the All-Wheel Drive (AWD), knock those numbers down by a point or two. It’s a big box pushing through the air. Physics is a jerk like that.
The ride quality is where the Telluride really shines. Even on the 18-inch wheels that come standard on the LX, it soaks up potholes like a sponge. Actually, the 18-inch wheels provide a better ride than the 20-inch wheels on the SX because there's more tire sidewall to cushion the blow. It’s a "feature" of the base model that salespeople rarely mentioned.
Why Safety Was the Real Selling Point
Kia did something smart with the 2020 LX. They didn't gate-keep the safety tech. While brands like Toyota and Honda were starting to do the same, Kia went all in. Every 2020 LX left the factory with:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
That last one is the kicker. Having adaptive cruise control on a base model in 2020 was a massive value play. It makes stop-and-go traffic infinitely less soul-crushing. The system is surprisingly refined, too. It doesn't slam on the brakes or accelerate wildly; it feels like a human is driving, albeit a very cautious one.
The Problems Nobody Likes to Talk About
It isn't all sunshine and rainbows. The 2020 model year was the first year, and first years always have gremlins. Some owners reported issues with the windshields cracking far too easily. There was a whole saga about "vibrations" at highway speeds, which often boiled down to tires or AWD coupling issues.
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Then there's the "Telluride smell." A small but vocal group of owners reported a strange, gym-sock-like odor coming from the headrests in the higher trims with Nappa leather, though the LX’s Sofino seats generally avoided this stinky fate.
Maintenance-wise, keep an eye on the oil. These engines are solid, but they don't like being neglected. If you're buying a used 2020 Kia Telluride LX, check the service records religiously. If the previous owner skipped oil changes, walk away. There are plenty of other ones on the market now.
Comparing the LX to the S Trim
Most people cross-shop the LX with the S trim. The S was only a couple thousand dollars more when new. For that extra cash, you got 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, and those coveted second-row captain's chairs.
But here’s the thing: the LX is often the better buy on the used market. Because it was the "budget" option, the resale value is sometimes slightly more grounded in reality. You get the same engine, the same safety tech, and the same cavernous 87 cubic feet of total cargo space. If you can live without the sunroof and prefer the 8-passenger capacity, the LX is the pragmatic choice.
What to Check Before You Buy Used
If you’re standing in a driveway looking at a silver LX right now, check the hitch. If it has a tow hitch, ask what they were pulling. The Telluride is rated for 5,000 pounds, but towing a heavy boat every weekend puts a lot of stress on that cooling system.
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Also, check the infotainment screen for "ghost touching" or delamination. It wasn't incredibly common on the 8-inch screens, but it happened. Test every single USB port. Kids are brutal on ports, and replacing them is a localized nightmare for your dashboard's aesthetics.
Check the headlights. The LX uses halogen projectors, not the fancy LEDs found on the SX. They’re fine, but they aren't "sear your retinas" bright. Some people find them a bit dim for dark rural roads. If you do a lot of night driving, you might want to factor in the cost of a high-quality bulb upgrade.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If the 2020 Kia Telluride LX is on your shortlist, your path to a good deal involves a few specific moves. First, verify if the "Trailer Brake Controller" recall or the "Four-Way Tow Hitch Harness" fire risk recalls have been addressed. These were notable safety campaigns for the early models. You can run the VIN through the NHTSA website in seconds.
Second, prioritize vehicles with a documented history of transmission fluid checks. While Kia claims the fluid is "lifetime," most mechanics suggest a flush every 60,000 to 80,000 miles, especially if the vehicle was used in "severe" conditions—which, let’s be honest, includes basically every family SUV used for school runs and soccer practice.
Lastly, don't pay a premium for "rare" colors. Everlasting Silver and Gravity Gray are everywhere. If a dealer tries to tell you a base LX is worth a premium because of the color, they're pulling your leg. Focus on the mechanical health and the interior condition. A well-maintained LX is a 200,000-mile vehicle if you treat it right.
The 2020 Telluride LX proved that you don't need to spend luxury money to get a vehicle that feels substantial. It remains one of the most balanced entries in the three-row SUV segment, provided you know exactly which features you're trading away for that lower price point. Search for one with a clean title, updated recall status, and a fresh set of tires to get the most out of what is arguably the most influential SUV of the last decade.