Toyota Highlander vs Kia Telluride

Highlander vs Telluride: Performance

Performance is always a key topic when you’re discussing SUVs, so we’ll take a look at what type of powertrains the 2021 Highlander and Telluride offer.

The Highlander comes standard with a 3.5 V6 engine that boasts 295 horsepower along with 263 lb-ft of torque. It also has a 2.5L hybrid 4-cylinder for those who want to enjoy a longer-lasting gas tank. The hybrid offers an EPA-estimated 36 city/35 highway MPG fuel economy, so you’ll get to ride around much longer without stopping by the gas station as much.¹

Comparatively, the Telluride offers a 3.8L V6 engine with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. These numbers are very similar to the Highlander’s V6 engine, but the comparison stops there, since the Telluride doesn’t have a hybrid powertrain to offer drivers. An EPA-estimated 20 city/26 highway MPG is the best fuel economy it offers.

Toyota Highlander vs Kia Telluride: Safety & Security

Staying safe is paramount when you’re riding around, and that’s why the Highlander has the Toyota Safety Sense™2.5+, a suite of safety features that come standard with the vehicle. These features include:

• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist – Helps drivers by guiding you back on course when you begin to veer out of your lane.
• Road Sign Assist – Assists drivers in identifying road signs, putting them on the car’s Multi-Information Display.
• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection – Helps drivers avoid impact with other vehicles or pedestrians in certain situations.
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control – Allows drivers to drive a preset speed all while maintaining safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

The Kia Telluride offers some similar features to match these, but the cruise control is an available option. It doesn’t come standard like it does on the Highlander. Also, the Telluride doesn’t offer any feature to counter the Highlander’s Road Sign Assist feature.