Kia Telluride vs Volkswagen Atlas: reliability compared
From 2020 to 2026, owners filed an average of 344 complaints per model year about the Kia Telluride and 155 about the Volkswagen Atlas.
Side by side
| Kia Telluride | Volkswagen Atlas | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2020-2026 | 2020-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 2,061 | 1,083 |
| Complaints per model year | 344 | 155 |
| Recalls | 17 | 30 |
| Years to avoid | 2020 | None stand out |
| Best years | None stand out | 20202022 |
| Most common problem | Visibility | Electrical |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 20-22 mpg combined (2025) | 21-23 mpg combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Telluride | Atlas | |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 429 | 26 |
| Engine | 361 | 224 |
| Electrical | 302 | 312 |
| Lights | 211 | 113 |
| Transmission | 175 | 65 |
| Body | 157 | 29 |
| Brakes | 70 | 210 |
| Driver assistance | 119 | 175 |
| Airbags | 22 | 134 |
Questions about the Kia Telluride vs Volkswagen Atlas
Which is more reliable, the Kia Telluride or the Volkswagen Atlas?
Between 2020 and 2026, the Kia Telluride has 1 year to avoid and the Volkswagen Atlas 0. The Volkswagen Atlas has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Volkswagen Atlas drew fewer complaints per model year (155 vs 344), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Kia Telluride or the Volkswagen Atlas?
From 2020 to 2026, the Kia Telluride was covered by 17 recalls and the Volkswagen Atlas by 30.
What years of the Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas should you avoid?
Kia Telluride: 2020. Volkswagen Atlas: no year stands out.
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