eli-2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Toyota Highlander

If you are a parent, there’s a good chance that you are intent on finding the best ride for their automotive dollar. In this comparison, we have detailed the most vital aspects of the 2023 Kia Telluride and its rival 2023 Toyota Highlander.

The goal is to give you truthful information that will help in your shopping decision. Check it out.

1. Reputation and Critical Success

   Highlanders have been on the market a long time. They have enjoyed much success with critics and the public alike. The Kia Telluride is a much newer nameplate, and it is definitely getting noticed by all types of reviewers.

   The Kia 3 Row SUV has the top ranking at US News and World Report. This puts it at the top of a class of 22 midsize SUVs, including the Toyota Highlander. For 2023, KBB and Motor Trend have both ranked it number one among 3-row SUVs. Plus, the Telluride chalked up a 10 out of 10 at Car and Driver, where it has earned an Editors’ Choice Award.

   When it comes to value, the Telluride really excels. US News has given it a Best Car for the Money Award and the Best Car for Families Award. Kelley Blue Book has given it a coveted Best Buy Award and a Best Resale Award.

   So, if reputation is important to you, the Telluride certainly has earned an equal place alongside the Highlander. By the way, our competitive financing options can make it easy to buy or lease your next 3 row SUV.

2. Spaciousness and Seating

   These SUVs are built to seat a lot of people. The 8-person layout is standard on both. A 7-person layout is standard on higher models, although both have an option of the 8-person layout on certain higher trim levels. In this way, they are both providing the seating that families need.

   However, when it comes to spaciousness, the Telluride is able to claim incredible legroom for both the driver and the second row. The front row has 44.1 to 44.4 inches of legroom. Even more importantly, the 2nd-row passengers have a whopping 42.3 inches of legroom.

   

   If your family will have teens or adults on the second row, the Telluride is definitely going to be more comfortable. As for the Telluride third row, engineers squeezed in an extra three inches of legroom for the kids. For this reason, we give the nod here to the Kia 3 row SUV.

3. Cargo and Carrying Capacity

   In addition to the spaciousness of the cabin, there’s the matter of cargo space. Every cubic foot really counts when it comes to the basic cargo hold. After all that’s what you will have to work with if all your seats are full of family on a trip.

   The Telluride has a 21-cubic foot hold while the Highlander hold measures only 16 cubic feet. That’s a difference of 24 percent, and it is important when you are packing for 5, 6, 7 or even 8 people.

   

   As you can see from this table, the Highlander has about four percent more space when the second row is folded. Then it flips back to the Telluride which has about four percent more space when both rows are folded flat.

   So in terms of basic cargo capacity, we have to give the nod to the Telluride. If your goal is moving a teenager into a college dorm, both of them have the space to help with that.

4. Engine Comparison

   These two engines are an interesting juxtaposition. Controlled by 8 speed automatic transmissions, Tellurides generate 26 more horsepower while Highlanders generate about 40 lb-ft more torque. Highlander Hybrids are about 48 horses short of the Telluride figure.

   Kia Engineers point to important differences such as the standard downhill brake control that makes inclines safer. They also point out that every Telluride has torque vectoring cornering control.

   Both of these features usually come with all-wheel drive as they do with the Toyota lineup. What’s unique is that the Telluride has them on a front-wheel drive SUV. So the shopper gets these vital tools without all-wheel drive.

   

   While the Highlander has an independent front suspension, the Telluride is engineered with a 4-wheel independent set-up. This suspension allows each wheel to absorb shock at varying rates, according to what the road or trail dishes out.

   US News and World Report writes that the Telluride soaks up the bumps, and that’s always nice for the family. Plus, every Telluride has an acoustic windshield to keep noise out of the cabin.

   The family driver won’t be disappointed with either engine, but based on ride quality, we’d give the nod to the Telluride. Then there’s the Kia powertrain warranty which gives you essentially double the coverage.

5. Off-Roading and Towing Comparison

   Until this year, the Telluride hasn’t been trying to compete with the Highlander for off-roading duties. However, the new X-Line models have a self-leveling suspension, more ground clearance, and the all-wheel drivetrain.

   

   When it comes to trailering, these two SUVs have the same tow rating. However, with the X Line Pro trim, the Telluride towing capacity increases by 500 pounds due to a heavy duty cooler, a tow mode, and trailer sway mitigation.

   To get the latest on the Telluride price by trim level, feel free to contact us. We can get you answers quickly.

6. Dash Tech and Parenting Aids

   Of course, these SUVs wouldn’t be much fun without today’s technologies. Both have a smartphone interface that includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

   All Telluride have a large touchscreen with navigation while the Highlander’s largest screen is reserved for the Limited and Platinum editions. Kia chooses a horizontal screen for maximum usability.

   This year the two models can both claim over 25 inches of screens on higher trim levels. However, the Telluride makes digital instrumentation standard on six trims while it is only standard on the top two Highlander trims.

   While both vehicles have a Smart Key, Kia includes a remote starter. This means, with or without an app or subscription, the owner always has the ability to start the vehicle remotely and get the air conditioning running on a hot Phoenix day. Furthermore, higher trim levels offer the Kia Digital Touch 2 Key which allows you to leave the physical key at home and just use your phone.

   

   Like the Highlander, the Telluride now has a parenting microphone that allows the driver to communicate with the kids on the back row without turning around. Furthermore, the Kia audio system has a special quiet mode that helps kids take a nap.

   Both models have a rear seat reminder. This signals the driver to check the back rows before exiting the vehicle. Does your current ride have these parenting features? Why not find out how much it’s worth? This Kelley Blue Book tool can give you answers with no strings attached.

7. Interior Style and Amenities

   The 2023 Highlander has standard cloth seating while offering synthetic leather or leather on higher trim levels. Telluride LX and S seats have SynTex, known for its softness and durability.

   In fact, the overall material quality is top notch. This ensures that the Telluride will stay looking good far into the future, even with the kids making messes. The affordable EX adds a lush leather, and the very top trims have the richest Nappa leather.

   Another Kia standard is tri-zone automatic controls. This way the air conditioning can be controlled for the front seats as well as for the kids.

   You’ll find heated seats will cost you about the same on these two SUVs. However, it you are looking for heated and ventilated seats, you need to know this. The Highlander reserves its ventilated seats for the top two trims while the Telluride makes tri-level air-cooled front seats standard on the affordable EX trim.

8. Safety and Driver Assistance

   These two rivals have good safety records. They have been named IIHS Top Safety Picks and have the essential 5-star rating from the NHTSA.

   When it comes to driver assistance features, the two have many similar systems. This includes blind spot monitoring, lane departure assistance, and a forward-watch autobrake. The 2023 Telluride does have a number of extras, including a semi autonomous feature called Highway Driving Assist.

   Plus Kia Smart Cruise Control has a navigation-enabled curve control feature for greater safety. The SX and higher trim levels get a cruise control upgrade that adds artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.

   Another Kia standard feature, not available yet on the Highlander, is the avoidance assist for the rear cross traffic alert (RCTA). This turns the RCTA into a more active partner as it seeks to prevent an accident with automatic braking.

   The Kia forward collision watch has expanded to include junction turning assistance on every Telluride. Plus the SX and higher trim levels have an even more complex system with the ability to watch for dangers in intersections, dangers from oncoming traffic, and dangers alongside the vehicle.

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, the 2023 Kia Telluride demonstrates throughout its lineup that you can get more standard features for your automotive dollar. If you couple that with the Telluride’s remarkable reputation among critics, it’s no wonder that this writer ranks the Telluride ahead of the Highlander.

The best research, of course, is to get your hands on the steering wheel. Take a test drive of the Telluride at Earnhardt Peoria Kia dealer.