2025 Kia Telluride vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
Comparison Overview
The most significant initial difference between the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is the MSRP, where the Telluride starts at $36,390, undercutting the Grand Highlander's $41,360 by $4,970. Power output is another key contrast; the Telluride delivers 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Grand Highlander's 265 hp, though the Toyota leads in torque delivery with 310 lb-ft. Fuel efficiency slightly favors the Toyota, achieving 24 MPG combined versus the Telluride's 22 MPG combined, reflecting marginally better highway ratings (28 MPG vs 26 MPG). Dimensionally, the Grand Highlander is physically larger, measuring 201.4 inches in length compared to the Telluride's 196.9 inches, although the Telluride provides slightly more primary cargo capacity at 21 cubic feet against the Toyota's 20.6 cubic feet. These specific metric differences define the optimal choice depending on budget and performance priority.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander wins for commuters due to its slightly superior combined fuel economy rating of 24 MPG.
2025 Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride offers superior space for cargo in its primary configuration, measuring 21 cubic feet compared to 20.6 cubic feet in the Grand Highlander.
2025 Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride holds the advantage for power enthusiasts by producing a higher peak horsepower figure of 291 hp.
2025 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride offers substantially better value, starting $4,970 cheaper than the base Toyota Grand Highlander model.
Choose the Kia Telluride if...
- Your primary concern is minimizing the initial purchase price, as the Telluride starts at $36,390.
- You prioritize maximum peak engine output, as the Telluride delivers 291 horsepower.
- You need the larger base cargo area, with 21 cubic feet available versus 20.6 cubic feet.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...
- You seek marginally better day-to-day fuel efficiency, rated at 24 MPG combined.
- You require higher torque for towing or immediate low-end pull, boasting 310 lb-ft.
- You prefer a larger overall footprint, evidenced by the Grand Highlander's 201.4-inch length.
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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Kia | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | 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 | Inside Mounted |
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 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander.
What is the exact price difference between the base models?
The 2025 Kia Telluride has a base MSRP of $36,390, which is exactly $4,970 less expensive than the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander starting at $41,360. This significant cost savings is a primary differentiator for budget-conscious buyers.
Which vehicle offers better performance metrics?
The 2025 Kia Telluride outperforms the Grand Highlander in raw horsepower, producing 291 hp compared to the Toyota's 265 hp. However, the Grand Highlander achieves a higher torque figure of 310 lb-ft versus the Telluride's 262 lb-ft.
How do the fuel economy ratings compare for daily driving?
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is rated for 24 MPG combined (21 City/28 Highway), slightly edging out the 2025 Kia Telluride, which achieves 22 MPG combined (20 City/26 Highway). Both utilize regular unleaded fuel.
Is there a notable difference in physical size?
Yes, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is physically longer at 201.4 inches compared to the Kia Telluride's 196.9 inches, and it is also slightly taller at 70.1 inches versus 68.9 inches.
Do these FWD crossovers use the same transmission type?
Both the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander are equipped standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. This indicates similar primary gearing strategies for both base models.
Which vehicle provides more storage space inside?
The 2025 Kia Telluride provides slightly more maximum cargo capacity at 21 cubic feet compared to the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander's 20.6 cubic feet. Both specifications relate to the volume behind the rearmost seats.
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