2025 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Kia Telluride erupts onto the scene with a punchier 291 hp engine, immediately appealing to drivers wanting more straight-line energy, all while maintaining a lower entry cost starting at $36,390. Conversely, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander differentiates itself through sheer scale and efficiency, boasting a commanding 201.4-inch length and a slightly better 24 MPG combined, despite its $40,860 MSRP. While the Grand Highlander uses its extra height (70.1 inches) and higher torque (310 lb-ft) to leverage its larger footprint, the Telluride offers superior peak horsepower at 291 hp. The difference in initial investment is substantial, with the Telluride saving buyers $4,470 right off the bat. Both use FWD and an 8-speed automatic, but the Kia’s slightly smaller stature hides capability that punches above its 22 MPG combined rating against its larger rival.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Toyota Grand Highlander edges out the Telluride with superior fuel economy, achieving 24 MPG combined versus the Telluride's 22 MPG combined.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Grand Highlander's greater length (201.4 inches vs 196.9 inches) and height suggest better interior space for family hauling, despite marginally less cargo room listed.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride provides more exhilarating power with 291 horsepower compared to the Grand Highlander's 265 horsepower.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride offers a compelling package with a significantly lower MSRP of $36,390, undercutting the Toyota by $4,470.
Choose the Kia Telluride if...
- You prioritize upfront cost savings, as the Telluride starts $4,470 cheaper than the Grand Highlander.
- You prefer higher peak horsepower for acceleration, benefiting from the Telluride's 291 hp output.
- You are comfortable with a slightly smaller footprint, as the Telluride is 4.5 inches shorter in length.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...
- Maximizing fuel efficiency is key, as the Grand Highlander achieves 28 MPG Highway versus 26 MPG Highway for the Kia.
- You desire the highest torque figure, as the Toyota delivers 310 lb-ft to the Kia's 262 lb-ft.
- You value the larger vehicle dimensions, indicated by the Grand Highlander’s 70.1-inch height.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia Telluride | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 196.9" | 201.4" |
| Width | 78.3" | 78.3" |
| Height | 68.9" | 70.1" |
| Wheelbase | 114.2" | 116.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.8 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 291 hp @ 6000 rpm | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/26 MPG | 21/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 376.0/488.8 mi. | 373.8/498.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.8 gal. | 17.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.9 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.4 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 61.6 in. | 60.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.9 in. | 56.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 61.2 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 58.0 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P245/60R18 | 255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander.
Which SUV is faster off the line, the 2025 Telluride or the Grand Highlander?
The 2025 Kia Telluride generally feels quicker due to its higher peak output of 291 horsepower, compared to the Toyota Grand Highlander's 265 horsepower. While both utilize an 8-speed automatic, the Telluride's extra 26 hp gives it the edge in raw power delivery.
How does the fuel economy compare between these two FWD crossovers?
The Toyota Grand Highlander offers a slight advantage in efficiency, posting a 24 MPG combined rating (21/28 city/highway) against the Kia Telluride's 22 MPG combined (20/26 city/highway). This translates to better long-distance cruising capability for the Toyota.
Is the price difference worth sacrificing the Grand Highlander's increased size?
The Kia Telluride demands $4,470 less at its MSRP ($36,390 vs $40,860), which is a significant saving. If you don't require the slightly greater interior dimensions implied by the Grand Highlander's 201.4-inch length, the Telluride presents exceptional monetary value.
Which vehicle offers better utility based on the provided cargo space?
Surprisingly, the smaller Kia Telluride has a slight edge in listed cargo capacity at 21 cubic feet compared to the Grand Highlander's 20.6 cubic feet behind the rearmost seats. However, the Grand Highlander’s extra exterior height suggests better vertical storage potential.
Do either of these SUVs require premium fuel?
No, both the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander are engineered to run efficiently on regular unleaded fuel, making routine fueling costs predictable for both models.
How does the torque output affect daily driving in these two vehicles?
The Toyota Grand Highlander possesses significantly more torque at 310 lb-ft compared to the Telluride’s 262 lb-ft. This higher torque figure in the Toyota is beneficial for low-speed hauling and feeling muscular pulling away from a stoplight, even if it has less peak horsepower.
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