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| Specification | Kia Telluride | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | About $39,190 | About $40,000 |
| Seating | Up to 8 | 7 to 8 |
| Base engine | 2.5L turbo I4 | 2.4L turbo I4 (265 hp) |
| Hybrid | Yes (2.5L turbo, 300-plus hp target) | Yes (about 243 combined hp) |
| Drivetrain | FWD standard, AWD available | FWD standard, AWD available |
| Max towing | Up to 5,000 lbs | Up to 5,000 lbs (properly equipped) |
| Basic warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | 10 yr / 100,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Assembly | West Point, Georgia (USA) | Princeton, Indiana (USA) |
| Specification | Kia Telluride | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| J.D. Power initial quality | Upper Midsize SUV segment winner | Not the segment winner |
| Kelley Blue Book | Multi-year 3-Row Best Buy | Not the class Best Buy |
| Hybrid output | Up to 300-plus combined hp | About 243 combined hp |
Starting MSRP is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price and may or may not include destination charges; it excludes taxes, title, and dealer fees. Contact us for current pricing.
The two start close together, with the Telluride around $39,190 and the Highlander near $40,000. Because the Telluride gives you a larger vehicle for similar money, it tends to feel like more SUV per dollar. At ALM Kia South, a new Telluride also adds ALM VIP Club benefits and, on qualifying new vehicles, our Included Lifetime Warranty.
This is the key difference. The Telluride is the larger SUV, with a more spacious third row and more cargo room behind it, while the Highlander is a size down and a bit easier to park. Both seat seven or eight depending on second-row seating. If you regularly carry adults in the third row, the Telluride has the edge; if you want a slightly smaller footprint, the Highlander makes sense.
Both use a turbocharged four-cylinder and both offer a hybrid. The Highlander hybrid is tuned for efficiency at about 243 combined horsepower, while the Telluride’s new hybrid targets more than 300 combined horsepower for stronger performance. Pick the Highlander for maximum mpg, the Telluride for more power.
Both are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, enough for most small campers, boats, and trailers. The larger Telluride tends to feel more planted with a trailer thanks to its size.
The Telluride carries the longer warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles basic and 10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain, versus the Highlander’s 3 years / 36,000 miles basic and 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain. The Highlander leans on Toyota’s long reliability track record, while the Telluride has ranked near the top of the segment for owner satisfaction since it launched.
Choose the Highlander for a slightly smaller SUV and Toyota’s reputation. Choose the Telluride for more interior room, a more powerful hybrid, the longer warranty, and the added ownership perks at ALM Kia South. Browse our Telluride inventory or contact our team to see them side by side.
See all Kia Telluride comparisons
