2025 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Toyota Highlander
The Kia Telluride wins clearly, 93.1 to 86.8, on tech & comfort, price, performance. The Toyota Highlander is ahead on fuel & range and safety.
2025 Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Telluride FWD, is EPA-rated at 22…
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Highlander Hybrid …
2025 Kia Telluride
Clear winThe Kia Telluride wins clearly, 93.1 to 86.8, on tech & comfort, price, performance. The Toyota Highlander is ahead on fuel & range and safety.
| Category · weight | 2025 Kia Tellurideoverall 93.1 | 2025 Toyota Highlanderoverall 86.8 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 92.1 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 88.3 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 80.7 | 86.7 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 98 | 97.2 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 96.1 | 93.2 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 55.7 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 93.1 | 86.8 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Kia Telluride: base trim LX FWD · Toyota Highlander: base trim LE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Kia Telluride wins
- It lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 23.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (48.5 points against 27 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It starts $3,130 lower ($36,390 against $39,520 base MSRP).
Where the 2025 Toyota Highlander answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (11 against 124 filed with NHTSA).
- It is rated 25 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 8 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
55 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $36,390 | $39,520 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 3,778 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 3.8L V6 Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Lambda-II | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged DOHC |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | D-4S |
| Valve configuration | DOHC | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 291 hp | 265 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 20 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 22 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 26 mpg | 29 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.510:1 | 3.329 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic hybrid | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8 in | 8 in |
| Overall height | 68.9 in | 68.1 in |
| Overall length | 197 in | 195 in |
| Overall width | 78.3 in | 76 in |
| Wheelbase | 114 in | 112 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 87 cu-ft | 84.3 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 46 cu-ft | 48.4 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 21 cu-ft | 16 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 178 cu-ft | 142 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | 8 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.9 in | 41.2 in |
| Second-row headroom | 40.2 in | 39.4 in |
| Third-row headroom | 38.1 in | 36.1 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.4 in | 42 in |
| Second-row legroom | 42.4 in | 38.7 in |
| Third-row legroom | 31.4 in | 28 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,248 lbs | 4,155 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,134 lbs | 4,155 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 5,776 lbs | 5,870 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs, stabilizer bar | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar; trailing-wishbone |
| Rear suspension type | Independent, Multi-link, stabilizer bar | Multi-link with stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Column Mounted-Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) | Electric Power Steering (EPS); power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19.4 ft | 18.7 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 340 mm | 338 mm |
| Front brake type | Vented disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 305 mm | 338 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | alloy |
| Wheel width | 7.5 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | P245/60 R18 | P235/65R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 18.8 gal | 17.9 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Toyota Safety Connect / Drive Connect / Remote Connect / Service Connect / Wi-Fi Connect |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 12 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 120 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 61.6 in | 59 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 61.2 in | 58.7 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 55.3 in | 55 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
167 features · differences first, then sharedSafety32 differ · 46 listed
| Feature | Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (FCA) | std | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance - Junction Turning (FCA-JT) | std | — |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | std | — |
| Dual front advanced airbags | std | — |
| Highway Driving Assist (HDA 1.5) | std | — |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve - NSCC-C | std | — |
| Downhill Brake Control (DBC) | std | — |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | std | — |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) | std | — |
| Parking Distance Warning - Reverse (PDW-R) | std | — |
| Rear side (2nd row) airbags | std | — |
| Safe Exit Assist (SEA) | std | — |
| Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) | std | — |
| 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 | — | std |
| Adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors and driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | — | std |
| Backup camera with projected path | — | std |
| Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) | std | — |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | — | std |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger seatbelt warning | — | std |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) | std | — |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | std | — |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | std | — |
| 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 | — | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert with Ultrasonic Sensors (2nd and 3rd Rows) | std | — |
| Rear passenger seatbelt reminder | — | std |
| Rollover sensor | std | — |
| Side impact sensor | std | — |
| Torque Vectoring Corner Control (TVCC) | std | — |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 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) | — | std |
| Traction Control System (TCS) | std | — |
| Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) | std | — |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ — Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) | std | std |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | std | std |
| Backup camera with projected path / Backup camera with dynamic gridlines | std | std |
| Eight airbags — driver airbag, front passenger airbag, driver knee airbag, seat cushion airbag (passenger), front side airbags, curtain shield airbags | std | std |
| Eight airbags — driver airbag, front passenger airbag, driver knee airbag, seat cushion airbag (passenger), front side airbags, curtain shield airbags | std | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ — Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA) | std | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ — Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) | std | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
| Eight airbags — driver airbag, front passenger airbag, driver knee airbag, seat cushion airbag (passenger), front side airbags, curtain shield airbags | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| 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) | std | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ — Automatic High Beams (AHB) | std | std |
| Anti-theft system with alarm and engine immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) (individual tires) | std | std |
Infotainment12 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Steering wheel-mounted Bluetooth Hands-free with Voice activation controls | std | — |
| 12.3-inch audio display unit with navigation, MAP OTA, Quiet Mode, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Radio, SIRIUS XM, Voice Recognition, Bluetooth (with Multi-Bluetooth function), Rear View Camera and TMU | std | — |
| 6 speakers including 2 tweeter speakers | std | — |
| 6-speaker audio system | — | std |
| 8.0-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® with 3-month trial subscription | — | std |
| Drive Connect — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist | — | std |
| Remote Connect — remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch | — | std |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance button, enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator | — | std |
| Service Connect — receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports | — | std |
| Steering wheel-mounted audio controls | std | — |
| Telematics Mobile Unit - Embedded Modem (TMU) | std | — |
| USB charging port X5 | std | — |
| Wi-Fi Connect — includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Apple Music® and Amazon Music) compatibility | std | std |
Convenience9 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Engine Start button on Key Fob | std | — |
| Five USB ports (one USB-A media port and four USB-C charging ports) and two 12V outlets | — | std |
| Height-adjustable power liftgate with jam protection | — | std |
| Power door locks with shift-linked automatic lock/unlock feature | — | std |
| Power windows with auto up/down in all positions and jam protection | — | std |
| Manual liftgate | std | — |
| Driver and Passenger's central door lock | std | — |
| Power outlets (x3) | std | — |
| Power windows with auto up/down and safety | std | — |
| Smart Key System on front doors and liftgate with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, panic and liftgate functions; and remote illuminated entry | std | std |
Climate5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Three-zone automatic climate control with air filter, separate second-row control panel, individual temperature settings for driver, front passenger and rear-seat passengers, and second- and third-row vents | — | std |
| Rear ducts - Ceiling Mounted with Diffuse Vents (2nd and 3rd row) | std | — |
| Dual zone automatic temperature control | std | — |
| Rear automatic temperature control | std | — |
| Auto Window Defogger | std | — |
Seating9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd-row 60/40 split-folding bench seats | std | — |
| Fabric-trimmed front- and second-row seats; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat; 4-way manual-adjustable front passenger seat | — | std |
| SynTex (Synthetic Leather) seating trim | std | — |
| 1-touch slide and fold for 3rd row Ingress/Egress | std | — |
| 2nd-row one-touch slide and fold | std | — |
| 2nd-row remote folding buttons (in cargo area) | std | — |
| 8-passenger seating with 60/40 split, sliding and reclining fold-flat second-row bench seats; 60/40 split, fold-flat third-row seats with sliding headrests and recline function | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed front- and second-row seats; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat; 4-way manual-adjustable front passenger seat | — | std |
| 2nd-row center armrest with cup holders | std | — |
Interior33 differ · 35 listed
| Feature | Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2-inch color TFT-LCD full segment meter cluster | std | — |
| 14 cup/bottle holders | — | std |
| 2nd row lamp | std | — |
| 7-in. color LCD Multi-Information Display (MID) with odometer, trip/average fuel economy, cruising range, average speed, AWD torque distribution (AWD models only), cruise control guide, audio details, hands-free incoming call notices, telephone information | — | std |
| Black interior door handles | — | std |
| Cargo lamp | std | — |
| Chrome interior door handles | std | — |
| Digital clock | — | std |
| Front seatback hooks | std | — |
| Leather-trimmed shift knob and tilt/telescopic leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio, Multi-Information Display (MID), Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice command, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Lane Steering Assist (LSA) and multimedia information controls | — | std |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | std | — |
| Metal paint crashpad trim | std | — |
| Overhead console lamp | std | — |
| Overhead console with conversation mirror, sunglasses storage and map lights | — | std |
| Plastic pillar trim | std | — |
| PVC transmission gear shift knob | std | — |
| Silver-painted dashboard trim and painted door trim | — | std |
| Soft-touch in-dash split-level shelf | — | std |
| Soft-touch roll-top center console with removable utility tray | — | std |
| Standard door scuff plates | std | — |
| Floor console with center armrest, cup holders, side handles and storage box | std | — |
| Synthetic leather wrapped door armrest | std | — |
| Carpet Floor Mats | opt | — |
| Cloth headliner trim | std | — |
| Front seatback pockets | std | — |
| Overhead console with sunglass holder | std | — |
| Trip computer | std | — |
| Carpet flooring | std | — |
| Cloth sunvisor | std | — |
| Front and rear side door pockets | std | — |
| Rheostat | std | — |
| Standard door scuff plates | std | — |
| Standard Pedals | std | — |
| Day/night rearview mirror | std | std |
| Dual sun visors with sliding function and illuminated vanity mirrors | std | std |
Exterior36 differ · 41 listed
| Feature | Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 18-in. painted alloy wheels and P235/65R18 tires | — | std |
| 18-inch alloy wheels with silver finish | std | — |
| Acoustic Front Windshield | std | — |
| Black front bumper side air duct garnish | std | — |
| Black insert with satin chrome surround trim (a-type design) radiator grille | std | — |
| Black wheel arch and side sill lower molding | std | — |
| Black-painted front grille with silver-painted surround | — | std |
| Body-color outside door handles | std | — |
| Body-color with silver accent trim and non-painted lower and side plastic trim bumpers | std | — |
| Color-keyed heated power outside mirrors | — | std |
| Color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicators, and manual folding feature | — | std |
| Color-keyed side rocker panels and lower molding | — | std |
| Conventional wiper blades | std | — |
| Hidden single exhaust tip | std | — |
| High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass on front side windows | — | std |
| LED fog lights | — | std |
| LED positioning lights | std | — |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Matte black outside mirror lower trim | std | — |
| Outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicators | — | std |
| Power adjustable outside mirrors, heated with integrated LED turn signals | std | — |
| Rear combination lamps (Bulb type) | std | — |
| Rear liftgate windshield washer and backup camera washer | — | std |
| Rear lower bumper in material black | — | std |
| Rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop light | — | std |
| Satin chrome DLO surround molding | std | — |
| Satin chrome lower door garnish (front and rear) | std | — |
| Single muffler, Regular type | std | — |
| Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers and intermittent rear wiper | — | std |
| Windshield wiper de-icer | — | std |
| Auto light control (ALC) | std | — |
| Solar Front Door Windows and Windshield | std | — |
| Body-color rear spoiler | std | — |
| Front and rear mudguards | opt | — |
| LED High Mounted Stop Lamp, integrated into rear spoiler | std | — |
| Low washer fluid warning system | std | — |
| LED projector headlights | std | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | std | std |
| Privacy glass on rear side, quarter and liftgate windows | std | std |
| Rear liftgate windshield defogger | std | std |
| Spare Tire/Wheel: Temporary | std | std |
Powertrain2 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| AWD Modes: AWD Lock and Snow modes | opt | — |
| Drive Mode Select (DMS): Comfort / Eco / Sport and Smart modes | std | — |
| Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | std | std |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Column Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) | std | — |
| McPherson struts and stabilizer bar front suspension | std | — |
| Multi-link independent and stabilizer bar rear suspension | std | — |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Towing Hitch | opt | — |
| 2-way luggage board | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPKia Telluride
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V105000 · 85,515 vehicles
- high Tires 25V745000 · 45 vehicles
- high Structure 25V494000 · 201,149 vehicles
Toyota Highlander
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V128000 · 686,588 vehicles
- high Seat Belts 25V872000 · 39 vehicles
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 25V595000 · 591,377 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Kia TellurideLX FWD | Toyota HighlanderLE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $36,390 (base trim) | $39,520 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $36,390 – $53,685 13 trims | $39,520 – $53,675 13 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Telluride FWD | Highlander |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 22 | 25 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,050 | $2,700 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | — | 2 yr |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Kia Telluride or the 2025 Toyota Highlander?
The Kia Telluride wins clearly, 93.1 to 86.8, on tech & comfort, price, performance. The Toyota Highlander is ahead on fuel & range and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Kia Telluride scores 93.1 and the 2025 Toyota Highlander 86.8. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2025 Kia Telluride or the 2025 Toyota Highlander?
The 2025 Kia Telluride starts lower — $36,390 against $39,520, a gap of $3,130 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Kia Telluride or the 2025 Toyota Highlander?
2025 Kia Telluride: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 3 recalls. 2025 Toyota Highlander: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 4 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Kia Telluride and the 2025 Toyota Highlander?
Where the 2025 Kia Telluride wins: it lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 23, lists more comfort and tech equipment (48.5 points against 27 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and starts $3,130 lower ($36,390 against $39,520 base MSRP). Where the 2025 Toyota Highlander answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (11 against 124 filed with NHTSA) and is rated 25 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 8 seats.