2021 Kia EX , S and LX Headlights:

[maridi]

I was wondering if anyone knows if Kia at least tried to improve the headlamps for 2021?
From what I have read and so far, only about the 2020's, it sounds like the headlights are horrible in dark areas and around curves, etc. Someone even mentioned their wife didn't want to drive it at night, and another said they almost hit a pedestrian at night.
I found a site where there are attorneys collecting information regarding this. Possible class action, I assume.
The IIHS rated the SX it's top safety pick, but not for the lower models, because of the headlamps.
I don't know why Kia would not have done something about this. I realize giving all of the models LED headlamps would have solved that issue and for some reason they didn't do that, but I also wonder if they did anything to try to fix the poor night visibility for 2021. I called Kia about this, but I actually got a very rude customer service rep, who told me I need to ask the dealer about that. When I asked if there was somebody there that might know, she was very short and didn't have an answer. I asked her to talk to her supervisor and she hung up on me. I called again and talked to someone much nicer, that tried to offer more information, but I haven't heard back from her either.
I know with the EX, I can order the Premium Package to get LED headlamps, but I really didn't want Captains chairs and I am not super sure how I feel about those heart wheels.
Anyhow, it would be great to hear if those of you with the 2021's that don't have the premium package are still having this issue.
Thank you in advance.
Top Safety Pick:
2020 Kia Telluride
MIDSIZE SUV / 4-DOOR SUV
Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

 

[Kwim]

@maridi
there are standards without which the Kia will not receive approval and license for sale. if telluride is sold with regular headlights, it is 100% standard. By the way, this is not only a telluride problem, now in the modern world, in my opinion, there is no longer a place for halogen lamps for new cars.

 

[Tellthemride]

Pretty sure 2021 lower trim halogens are exactly the same. Either swap out the bulbs with aftermarket LED or HID bulbs or do a full headlamp retrofit swap as others have done here:

Retrofit EX with SX LED headlights

Also I would hook both sides up with the regulators and led lamps and retest; or completely disconnect one side. I don’t know for certain but running one side with the factory halogen and the other with the LED may be confusing the CANBUS lamp system and contributing to the flicker. One side is...

tellurideforum.org

 

[Schmitty88]

I have a 2021 S trim, with halogen headlights, and i can see just fine as can my wife. I will upgrade to led just because they are brighter, but i haven't had any issues

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[maridi]

I have a 2021 S trim, with halogen headlights, and i can see just fine as can my wife. I will upgrade to led just because they are brighter, but i haven't had any issues

Thank you, Schmitty88. That is good to know. Have you driven yours in any darker, rural areas? There are a lot of winding roads that don't have a lot of light where I am. It sounds like they are fine within the city.

 

[rsa]

Quoting myself,

"Consumer Reports test said their Telluride's "Halogen headlights do a very good job of lighting the road ahead with low beams, proving the point that headlights don’t need to be the newer technologies (HID or LED) to provide very good seeing distances." They went on to say there were many better-performing high beams available. I assume they were still talking Halogen. They didn't say anything about the Telluride's LED performance. Reasonable since their test car was an EX."

I would prefer the bench seat too and the EX-P 20's aren't my cuppa. But the LED headlights are important enough and I know I'll find times when I appreciate the captain's chairs.

 

[maridi]

Pretty sure 2021 lower trim halogens are exactly the same. Either swap out the bulbs with aftermarket LED or HID bulbs or do a full headlamp retrofit swap as others have done here:

Retrofit EX with SX LED headlights

Also I would hook both sides up with the regulators and led lamps and retest; or completely disconnect one side. I don’t know for certain but running one side with the factory halogen and the other with the LED may be confusing the CANBUS lamp system and contributing to the flicker. One side is...

tellurideforum.org

Thank you, Tellthemride,
I was told the $1695 for the Premium package would be cheaper than switching out the headlamps.

 

[maridi]

Thank you, Tellthemride,
I was told the $1695 for the Premium package would be cheaper than switching out the headlamps.

Also, it seem like if I am going to add the Premium Package, I may as well just get the SX. Trying to compare and see which way I can go. I have until the 16th to decide how I will order it.

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[Schmitty88]

Thank you, Tellthemride,
I was told the $1695 for the Premium package would be cheaper than switching out the headlamps.

These are ones fellow lower trim owners have been using in my research. Very affordable and long lasting from what i hear

 

[Schmitty88]

Thank you, Schmitty88. That is good to know. Have you driven yours in any darker, rural areas? There are a lot of winding roads that don't have a lot of light where I am. It sounds like they are fine within the city.

Yes, i have driven in dark and rural areas as well. Haven't used the high beams yet, so i guess that's a good thing as well

 

[maridi]

Quoting myself,

"Consumer Reports test said their Telluride's "Halogen headlights do a very good job of lighting the road ahead with low beams, proving the point that headlights don’t need to be the newer technologies (HID or LED) to provide very good seeing distances." They went on to say there were many better-performing high beams available. I assume they were still talking Halogen. They didn't say anything about the Telluride's LED performance. Reasonable since their test car was an EX."

I would prefer the bench seat too and the EX-P 20's aren't my cuppa. But the LED headlights are important enough and I know I'll find times when I appreciate the captain's chairs.

Thank you. That is good to know. I guess it concerns me, since they were rated poor for safety. It seems as I get older, night vision just gets worse for me. I have been driving a 2008 RAV, so I am guessing the Tellurides lights couldn't be much worse, but if they were that would really stink.. Especially for these dark winding roads in the California foothills.

 

[maridi]

These are ones fellow lower trim owners have been using in my research. Very affordable and long lasting from what i hear

Thank you.

Yes, i have driven in dark and rural areas as well. Haven't used the high beams yet, so i guess that's a good thing as well

Thank you, I love the color of your car.

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[ccorry21]

Also, it seem like if I am going to add the Premium Package, I may as well just get the SX. Trying to compare and see which way I can go. I have until the 16th to decide how I will order it.

If you can handle the 3k gap between the two, then go for it. The EX-P is a push for my budget as it is, so the SX isn’t worth it for me.
All depends on your budget

 

[MarcinTexas]

Also, it seem like if I am going to add the Premium Package, I may as well just get the SX. Trying to compare and see which way I can go. I have until the 16th to decide how I will order it.

Yes - the price difference is so small going from the EX Premium to the SX - that I don't know why more people don't just go with the SX. Lots of other content included with the SX package that you can't get on the EX Premium. In my opinion the EX premium is a high profit move for KIA for those that can't quite stretch for the SX. The SX on the other hand is one of the best values in terms of added content over the EX.

What you get:

Everything in the EX trim, plus:​

• Reverse Tilt-Down Outside Mirrors
• Window Surround, Satin Chrome
• Door Handles, Body Color and Satin Chrome
• Dual Sunroofs
• LED Projector Beam Headlights (Included on EX Premium)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Front Fog Lights, LED
• Low Profile Roof Rails, Satin Chrome Finish (Included on EX Premium)
• 20-inch Alloy Wheels, Black Sport Finish (EX Premium includes 20" Allow Wheels - but a different design)
• Tire Size: 245/50R20
• Harman Kardon® 10-Speaker Premium Audio w/ Clari-Fi™, External Amplifier & Subwoofer
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
• Parking Distance Warning - Forward (PDW-F)
• Surround View Monitor (SVM)
• Supervision Meter Cluster w/ 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Color LCD Display
• Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror w/ HomeLink®
• 12-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat, w/ 2-Way Power Lumbar Support
• Driver's Seat Integrated Memory System (IMS)
• 7-Passenger Seating w/ 2nd-Row Captain's Chairs (Included on EX Premium)
• 50/50 Split-Folding 2nd-Row Seats (Included on EX Premium)
• Stainless-Steel Door Sill Scuff Trim
• Stainless-Steel Pedals

But to each his own. Obviously - it was a smart move for KIA to offer the EX Premium and add the LED light package to a lower trim. And it has been a huge success for them if you look at the numbers.

 

[GHT]

Thank you, Tellthemride,
I was told the $1695 for the Premium package would be cheaper than switching out the headlamps.

Not even close if you buy a set of LED headlights on eBay.