2027 Kia Telluride vs. 2026 Toyota Highlander

MotiveGrid scores the 2027 Kia Telluride 82 out of 100 versus the 2026 Toyota Highlander's 81, saying the Highlander is the cheaper one to own, roughly $287 less over five years, mostly because it holds its value better, while the Telluride counters with more cargo room (22.3 vs 16 cubic feet) and seating for 8, recommending the Highlander for long-term value and the Telluride for cargo and passenger space. Gunther Kia says the Telluride's 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 274 hp against the Highlander's 265-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter, and select Telluride trims can tow up to 5,500 pounds versus the Highlander's maximum 5,000, though the Highlander is slightly more fuel-efficient at an EPA-estimated 21/28 mpg versus the Telluride's 20/26, with the Telluride's larger 19-gallon tank offsetting that with a 17.9-gallon tank in the Highlander.

Which to choose, and why

Highlander holds value better; Telluride has more cargo and seats 8

MotiveGrid (opens in a new tab) scores the 2027 Kia Telluride 82 out of 100 versus the 2026 Toyota Highlander's 81, saying the Highlander is the cheaper one to own, roughly $287 less over five years, mostly because it holds its value better, while the Telluride counters with more cargo room (22.3 vs 16 cubic feet) and seating for 8, recommending the Highlander for long-term value and the Telluride for cargo and passenger space.

The Telluride has more power and tows more

Gunther Kia (opens in a new tab) says the Telluride's 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 274 hp against the Highlander's 265-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter, and select Telluride trims can tow up to 5,500 pounds versus the Highlander's maximum 5,000, though the Highlander is slightly more fuel-efficient at an EPA-estimated 21/28 mpg versus the Telluride's 20/26, with the Telluride's larger 19-gallon tank offsetting that with a 17.9-gallon tank in the Highlander.

Questions buyers ask

Which has more cargo space, the Kia Telluride or Toyota Highlander?

MotiveGrid (opens in a new tab) says the Telluride, at 22.3 cubic feet versus the Highlander's 16.

Which can tow more, the Kia Telluride or Toyota Highlander?

Gunther Kia (opens in a new tab) says the Telluride, up to 5,500 pounds versus the Highlander's 5,000.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Kia Telluride: 6 records · Toyota Highlander: 3 records.

Decision field	Kia Telluride	Toyota Highlander
Exact EPA records	6	3
Model / option labels	6	3
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid	2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8)	Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	19–35 MPG/MPGe	24–35 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$1850–3400 per year	$1850–2700 per year

Head to head

Kia Telluride vs. Toyota Highlander: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Kia Telluride	Toyota Highlander
Starting price (KBB base)	$40,735	$47,365
Top trim price (KBB base)	$58,335	$55,020
Horsepower	n/a	265 hp
Torque	n/a	310 lb-ft
Curb weight	n/a	4,376-4,453 lb
Length	199.2 in	194.9-197.4 in
Wheelbase	116.9 in	112.2 in
Cargo volume	89.3 cu ft	n/a
Towing capacity	5,000-5,500 lb	5,000 lb
Seating	7-8 seats	7-8 seats
Basic warranty	5 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2027 and 2026 model years); prices are KBB base prices.

The Kia Telluride starts $6,630 lower: $40,735 against $47,365 before options and fees.
On length, the Kia Telluride leads: 199.2 in against 197.4 in.
On wheelbase, the Kia Telluride leads: 116.9 in against 112.2 in.
On maximum towing capacity, the Kia Telluride leads: 5,500 lb against 5,000 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 8 seats.
On basic warranty, the Kia Telluride leads: 5 years against 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Kia Telluride and the Toyota Highlander.

2027 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating manufactured and marketed by Kia since 2019. Positioned above the Sorento, it was previewed as a concept car in 2016, with the production model debuting in early 2019 as a 2020 model. It shares components and specifications with its Hyundai counterpart, the Hyundai Palisade, including its engine, transmission, and wheelbase.

Safety: The 2020 and 2021 model years of the Telluride were awarded "Top Safety Pick" by IIHS, it was later awarded "Top Safety Pick+".
Recalls and problems: In March 2024, Kia recalled over 427,000 Tellurides from 2020 to 2024 model years, due to rollaway risks which the vehicles rolls away when placed in 'P' gear. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this is because of improper assembly of the intermediate shaft and the right front driveshaft could cause unintended vehicle movement, if the driver failed to engage the parking brake.
Awards: In 2020, the Telluride received the 2020 World Car of the Year as well as Motor Trend's SUV of the Year.

Source: Kia Telluride (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Kia Telluride overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (5 campaigns across the latest model years)

June 2026, Seat Belts:Front. Kia America, Inc (Kia) is recalling certain 2027 Telluride and Telluride Hybrid vehicles. The driver seat belt emergency locking retractor may lock, causing the seat belt strap not to extend. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal… Consequence: A seat belt strap that does not extend can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
March 2026, Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Anchorage. Kia America, Inc (Kia) is recalling certain 2027 Kia Telluride and 2026 Kia K4 vehicles. The rear center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2026 K4 and the third-row center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2027 Telluride may not latch properly. Consequence: A seat belt buckle that is not latched properly can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
February 2026, Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash. Consequence: A seat back frame that fails to properly restrain an occupant during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA for the 2027 Kia Telluride, most often about seat belts (7), power train (6), seats (5).

2026 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander, also known as the Toyota Kluger in some markets, is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Toyota since 2000. The Highlander was announced in April 2000 at the New York International Auto Show, arriving in Japan in late 2000, and North America in January 2001.

Source: Toyota Highlander (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Toyota Highlander overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (7 campaigns across the latest model years)

March 2026, Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly:Recliner. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment. Consequence: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
December 2025, Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Anchorage. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The third row center seat belt roof anchor may have been installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant. Consequence: A seat belt that does not properly restrain an occupant increases the risk of injury during a crash.
October 2025, Back Over Prevention:Display Function. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview… Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Toyota Highlander, most often about vehicle speed control (3), service brakes (2), forward collision avoidance (2).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2027Kia Telluride6 configurations →02 · 2026Toyota Highlander3 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2027 Kia Telluride or the 2026 Toyota Highlander?

Efficiency

The 2026 Toyota Highlander lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (29.5 vs. the 2027 Kia Telluride's 27 MPG/MPGe).