Comparison
Toyota Highlander vs Kia Telluride
Toyota Highlander
Pictured: 2023 Highlander Turbo Limited AWD
.webp?width=750&name=2023%20Kia%20Telluride%20(1).webp "2023 Kia Telluride")
Kia Telluride
Pictured: 2023 Telluride SX Prestige X-Line
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Starting MSRP
Highlander
$36,400 (2023)
Pictured: 2023 Toyota Highlander Limited Turbo AWD. MSRP as tested $53,181.
Telluride
$35,990 (2024)
Pictured: 2023 Telluride SX Prestige X-Line. MSRP as tested: $54,120.
Our TakeHighlander
Toyota recently shared that the Highlander SUV is currently the No.1 selling midsize SUV in America for the 7th year running. It's easy to see why. The Highlander is a practical SUV with a nice interior and plenty of available creature comforts.
For 2023, the Highlander ups its game with a new, more efficient gas-only engine and new upgraded tech that include two available new 12.3-inch displays.
The Highlander is most suited for the pavement, with other Toyota models including the Sequoia more geared for off-roading.
Overall, the Highlander is a winner in the family-friendly SUV department if you don't need a huge third row that fits adults. If you do need a larger third row, check out our review of the new 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander.
Telluride
The Kia Telluride has wowed us since it was introduced in 2019. As CarPro Show host Jerry Reynolds writes in his 2023 Telluride review, "it is a spectacular SUV."
The three-row family hauler impresses with its design, comfort, and roominess (with an adult-size third row). It's ride and drive is superb, too, and it's very quiet inside.
Kia's multimedia and advanced driver assist technology is also outstanding.
The only downside compared to its sister the Hyundai Palisade is that the Telluride doesn't offer a power third row.
The Telluride has a great warranty, like the Palisade. It's also a tremendous value in the segment. Jerry Reynolds' lists some of the cool features of the 2023 model here.
What's New in 2023Highlander
For 2023, Highlander gas models are now equipped with a new, higher-torque, high-efficiency turbocharged engine. It replaces the V6.
Turbo models are equipped to tow up to 5,000-pounds.
Limited and Platinum grades now have two 12.3-inch screens as standard; one Multi-Information Display (MID) screen and one multimedia screen. The touchscreen is optional for the XLE and sporty XSE grades, which have an 8-inch screen as standard.
Limited and Platinum grades now come standard with power folding exterior mirrors.
New Cypress green exterior color.
Deciding between a new or used Highlander? We've reviewed it several times since 2019. Here's a list of every Highlander we've reviewed.
Telluride
The Telluride is all-new for the 2023 model year with significant design and interior updates, though its powertrain does not change. A long list of upgraded available technology includes a standard upgraded 12.3-inch navigation screen. It also features more standard or available advanced driver assistance technology.
New for 2023, the lineup also adds X-Line and Telluride X-Pro models. Max available towing capacity also increases to 5,500 pounds. New colors include: Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red and Jungle Green
For 2024, the Telluride receives minor exterior styling updates and standard Amber daytime running lights.
Deciding between a new or used Telluride? Here's a list of every Telluride we've reviewed.
Pros
Highlander
- Roomy, comfortable, family-friendly
- High torque engine benefits overall driving dynamics
- Much improved new multimedia system
- Long history of reliability
Telluride
- More off-road oriented trims
- Roomier third-row that fits adults
- More cargo space
- Excellent value
- Exceptional 10-year warranty
Cons
Highlander
- Less cargo space
- Third row is more suited for kids
Telluride
- Less torque
- Larger turning radius might make it harder to maneuver
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Combined
24 mpg
23 mpg (FWD)
21 mpg (AWD)
City21 mpg
20 mpg (FWD)
18 mpg (AWD)
Highway28 mpg
26 mpg (FWD)
24 mpg (AWD)
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Multimedia / Audio
- Standard 7-inch multi-information display and available 12.3-inch color LCD multi-information display
- Standard 8.0-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto with 6-speaker audio system.
- Available 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system w/ wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connect trial or subscription that offers 4G connectivity for up to five devices.
- Available 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio.
- Available with a backup camera with projected path or a backup camera with dynamic gridlines
- 1 yr trial subcription to Drive Connect — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent.
- Standard 4.2-inch color TFT-LCD cluster
- Available 12.3-inch full LCD dual curved integrated display meter cluster
- Standard 12.3-inch audio display unit with navigation, MAP OTA, Radio, SIRIUS XM, Voice Recognition, Multi Bluetooth function), Rear View Camera and TMU
- Android Auto, Apple CarPlay
- Driver Talk
- Quiet Mode
- Standard 6 speaker audio
- Available 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium surround sound system
Connectivity- Available wireless charging
- Five USB ports
- Two 12V outlets
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Available wireless charging
- USB charge ports
- Available 110V Inverter - 2nd Row: Rear of Center Console
- Available 110V Inverter - Cargo Area/3rd Row: Passenger Side
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Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
- Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+) — Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), * Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA) and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
- Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Rear passenger seatbelt reminder
- Driver and front passenger seatbelt warning
- Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB)
- Available with a backup camera with projected path or a backup camera with dynamic gridlines
- Available Panoramic View Monitor
Standard ADAS:- Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
- Forward Collision Avoidance with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (FCA)
- Forward Collision Avoidance - Junction Turning (FCA-JT)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- High Beam Assist (HBA)
- Highway Driving Assist (HDA 1.5)
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Lane Following Assist (LFA)
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve - NSCC-C
- Parking Distance Warning - Reverse (PDW-R)
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision - Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- Rear View Monitor (RVM) with Parking Guidance-Dynamic
- Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with STOP & GO (S&G)
- Safe Exit Assist (SEA)
- Rear Occupant Alert with Ultrasonic Sensors (2nd and 3rd Rows)
Available Safety Features:
- Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) with Parallel Exit
- Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM)
- Forward Collision Avoidance - Junction Crossing (FCA-JC)
- Forward Collision Avoidance - Lane Change Oncoming (FCA-LO)
- Forward Collision Avoidance - Lane Change Side (FCA-LS)
- Forward Collision Avoidance - Evasive Steering Assist (FCA-ESA)
- Highway Driving Assist (HDA 2.0)
- Parking Distance Warning - Forward (PDW-F)
- Parking Collision Avoidance-Reverse (PCA-R)
- Surround View Monitor (SVM)
- 10.0-inch Head Up Display (HUD) TFT-LCD Type
Safety-Interior- 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver's-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts
- Adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors and driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors and tethers on outboard second-row seats and tether anchor on middle of second- and third-row seats
- Star Safety System™—includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), * Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) * and Smart Stop Technology® (SST) *
- Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
- Eight airbags —driver airbag, front passenger airbag, driver knee airbag, seat cushion airbag (passenger), front side airbags, curtain shield airbags
- Dual front seat-mounted side airbags
- Dual front advanced airbags
- Full-length side curtain airbags
- Rear side (2nd row) airbags
- Driver's knee airbag
- Rollover sensor
- Side impact sensor
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
- Downhill Brake Control (DBC)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
- Torque Vectoring Corner Control (TVCC)
- Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
- Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)
- Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) high-line
- Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
- Immobilizer
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Length
194.9"
196.9"
Width (in)76.0"
69.3" with roof rails
Height (in)68.1"
71.0" - LX, Sport, Elite, Touring
70.9" - EX-L
72" - TrailSport
Horsepower (hp)265-horsepower
291-horsepower
Torque (lb-ft)310 pound-feet
262 pound-feet
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal)17.9
18.8
Curb Weight (lbs)(FWD/AWD)
- 4,155/4,332 - L
- 4,155/4,332 - LE
- 4,199/4,376 - XLE
- 4,221/4,420 -XSE
- 4,265/4,453 - Limited
- 4,265/4,453 - Platinum
TowingMax 5,000 pounds.
5,000 -5,500 pounds
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