Compare the2026 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2025 Kia Telluride

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Grand Highlander have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Telluride doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Grand Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Telluride doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Toyota Grand Highlander’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Kia Telluride does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Grand Highlander and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Kia Telluride:

	Grand Highlander	Telluride
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	218	281
Neck Compression	12 lbs.	32 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	331/316 lbs.	164/998 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	356	378
Neck Injury Risk	33%	36%
Neck Compression	60 lbs.	91 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	384/277 lbs.	351/369 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Kia Telluride:

	Grand Highlander	Telluride
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.3 inches	.6 inches
Abdominal Force	64 lbs.	84 lbs.
Hip Force	199 lbs.	342 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	55 lbs.	291 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	344	444
Spine Acceleration	48 G’s	51 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Grand Highlander is safer than the Telluride:

	Grand Highlander	Telluride
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	38	68
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.35 in	.55 in
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.18 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.46 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	446 lbs.	491 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Grand Highlander’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Telluride runs out after 100,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Telluride.

There are over 55 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Highlander’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 11th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

The Grand Highlander’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6. The Grand Highlander Hybrid Max’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 71 more horsepower (362 vs. 291) and 138 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Kia Telluride:

	Grand Highlander	Telluride
Zero to 30 MPH	2.1 sec	2.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	7.1 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	14.9 sec	17.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.1 sec	7.1 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.9 sec	3.7 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.2 sec	4.6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.3 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98 MPH	94 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Highlander gets better mileage than the Telluride:

			MPG
Grand Highlander
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/34 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	36 city/32 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/27 hwy
		LE/XLE 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
		Limited/Platinum 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
Telluride
	FWD	3.8 DOHC V6	20 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.8 DOHC V6	18 city/23 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Telluride doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Grand Highlander’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (not available Hybrid). The Telluride doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Grand Highlander higher (6 out of 10) than the Kia Telluride (5). This means the Grand Highlander produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Telluride every 15,000 miles.

The Grand Highlander Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Telluride doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Grand Highlander stops shorter than the Telluride:

	Grand Highlander	Telluride
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Grand Highlander has larger tires than the Telluride (255/65R18 vs. 245/60R18).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Grand Highlander’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Telluride (116.1 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Grand Highlander’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Telluride’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Grand Highlander more stable handling and braking.

The Grand Highlander Platinum handles at .80 G’s, while the Telluride SX Prestige 4x4 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Grand Highlander Limited AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Telluride SX 4x4 (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Grand Highlander’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Telluride’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Grand Highlander Platinum is quieter than the Telluride SX 4x4:

	Grand Highlander	Telluride
At idle	31 dB	36 dB
Full-Throttle	73 dB	75 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	67 dB

The Grand Highlander has .6 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more third row legroom, 2 inches more third row hip room and 2.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Telluride.

The Grand Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the Telluride.

	Grand Highlander	Telluride
Third Seat Folded	57.9 cubic feet	46 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.5 cubic feet	87 cubic feet

The Grand Highlander has a higher standard payload capacity than the Telluride (1750 vs. 1662 lbs.).

The Grand Highlander has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Telluride (1755 vs. 1664 lbs.).

If the windows are left open on the Grand Highlander the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Telluride can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Grand Highlander’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Telluride doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Grand Highlander Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Telluride doesn’t offer cornering lights.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander retains 64.27% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 51.21% resale value of the 2025 Kia Telluride after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $3153.67638 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Kia Telluride, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its October 2023 issue and they ranked the Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum higher than the Kia Telluride SX Prestige 4x4.