2025 Toyota Highlander vs 2025 Kia Telluride
Cars comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
Choosing between 2025 Toyota Highlander and 2025 Kia Telluride comes up constantly, so we ran both through the same 10-row comparison and our category scoring. The 2025 Toyota Highlander is a three-row family SUV with a 2.4-litre turbo, a 36 mpg hybrid option and Toyota's reliability record. The 2025 Kia Telluride is the award-winning three-row SUV with a 291 hp V6, upscale cabin and Kia's 10-year powertrain warranty.
Quick verdict
On the VersusAnything Score, 2025 Kia Telluride finishes ahead, 63 to 51. It is the better buy for families who want near-luxury space and a long warranty; for families who want a dependable three-row SUV, Toyota Highlander still makes more sense.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the cars category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is a three-row family SUV with a 2.4-litre turbo, a 36 mpg hybrid option and Toyota's reliability record.
Best for families who want a dependable three-row SUV
2025 Kia Telluride
The 2025 Kia Telluride is the award-winning three-row SUV with a 291 hp V6, upscale cabin and Kia's 10-year powertrain warranty.
Best for families who want near-luxury space and a long warranty
Key differences
- Base powertrain: Toyota Highlander 2.4 L turbo four-cylinder vs Kia Telluride 3.8 L V6 — a preference, not a scored win
- Range per tank/charge: Toyota Highlander About 440 miles (17.9 gal tank) vs Kia Telluride About 430 miles (18.8 gal tank) — a preference, not a scored win
- Cargo volume: Toyota Highlander 16 cu ft (84.3 max) vs Kia Telluride 21 cu ft (87 max) — a preference, not a scored win
- Warranty: Toyota Highlander 3 yr/36k basic, 5 yr/60k powertrain vs Kia Telluride 5 yr/60k basic, 10 yr/100k powertrain — a preference, not a scored win
- 0-60 mph: Toyota Highlander 7.5 s vs Kia Telluride 7 s — Kia Telluride is better here
Specification comparison table
| Specification | Toyota Highlander | Kia Telluride |
|---|---|---|
| Body style | Midsize three-row SUV | Midsize three-row SUV |
| Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Cargo volume | 16 cu ft (84.3 max) | 21 cu ft (87 max) |
| Base powertrain | 2.4 L turbo four-cylinder | 3.8 L V6 |
| Horsepower | 265 hp | 291 hp |
| 0-60 mph | 7.5 s | 7 s |
| Combined economy | 25 MPG/MPGe | 23 MPG/MPGe |
| Range per tank/charge | About 440 miles (17.9 gal tank) | About 430 miles (18.8 gal tank) |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36k basic, 5 yr/60k powertrain | 5 yr/60k basic, 10 yr/100k powertrain |
| Base MSRP (USD, 2025) | $39,620 | $36,190 |
Practicality: Toyota Highlander vs Kia Telluride Score: Toyota Highlander 94 · Kia Telluride 94
Body style is identical at Midsize three-row SUV. Both list 8 for seats, so nothing separates them here.
For cargo volume, Toyota Highlander uses 16 cu ft (84.3 max) whereas Kia Telluride goes with 21 cu ft (87 max). This is a preference rather than a scored win: cargo volume decides whether the weekly shop and a pushchair fit.
Performance: Toyota Highlander vs Kia Telluride Score: Toyota Highlander 46 · Kia Telluride 68
For base powertrain, Toyota Highlander uses 2.4 L turbo four-cylinder whereas Kia Telluride goes with 3.8 L V6. This is a preference rather than a scored win: the powertrain decides running costs and refinement. The horsepower row goes to Kia Telluride: 291 hp against 265 hp. More horsepower helps with highway merging and towing.
On 0-60 mph, Kia Telluride keeps it to 7 s while Toyota Highlander lists 7.5 s. That 0.5 s edge counts since 0-60 time is the simplest measure of real-world acceleration.
Economy: Toyota Highlander vs Kia Telluride Score: Toyota Highlander 41 · Kia Telluride 35
The combined economy row goes to Toyota Highlander: 25 MPG/MPGe against 23 MPG/MPGe. Combined economy drives your yearly fuel or charging bill.
Toyota Highlander: About 440 miles (17.9 gal tank). Kia Telluride: About 430 miles (18.8 gal tank). Neither is scored, but range decides how often you stop on a road trip.
Value: Toyota Highlander vs Kia Telluride Score: Toyota Highlander 24 · Kia Telluride 53
The two differ on warranty (3 yr/36k basic, 5 yr/60k powertrain against 5 yr/60k basic, 10 yr/100k powertrain), and warranty length is a direct measure of how much risk the maker takes on.
Kia Telluride is better on base MSRP (USD, 2025) at $36,190 against $39,620, a $3,430 difference; lower is better because base MSRP is the fairest starting point; regional pricing and incentives vary.
Pros and cons
Toyota Highlander
Pros
- Three rows with hybrid option
- Toyota Safety Sense standard
- Strong resale value
- Better combined economy (25 MPG/MPGe)
Cons
- Weaker horsepower (265 hp)
- Weaker 0-60 mph (7.5 s)
- Weaker base MSRP (USD, 2025) ($39,620)
Kia Telluride
Pros
- Upscale cabin for the price
- 291 hp V6
- 10-year/100k powertrain warranty
- Better combined economy (23 MPG/MPGe)
Cons
- Weaker horsepower (291 hp)
- Weaker 0-60 mph (7 s)
- Weaker base MSRP (USD, 2025) ($36,190)
Which one should you buy?
Choose 2025 Toyota Highlander for…
Families who want a dependable three-row SUV. It stands out for three rows with hybrid option, toyota safety sense standard, strong resale value.
Choose 2025 Kia Telluride for…
Families who want near-luxury space and a long warranty. It stands out for upscale cabin for the price, 291 hp v6, 10-year/100k powertrain warranty.
Final verdict
On the VersusAnything Score, 2025 Kia Telluride finishes ahead, 63 to 51. It is the better buy for families who want near-luxury space and a long warranty; for families who want a dependable three-row SUV, Toyota Highlander still makes more sense. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another car
Frequently asked questions
Is Toyota Highlander better than Kia Telluride?
On the VersusAnything Score, Kia Telluride finishes ahead 63 to 51. That makes Kia Telluride the better overall pick for families who want near-luxury space and a long warranty, while Toyota Highlander is still the right choice for families who want a dependable three-row SUV.
What is the biggest difference between Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride?
The largest gap is base powertrain: Toyota Highlander lists 2.4 L turbo four-cylinder while Kia Telluride lists 3.8 L V6. The powertrain decides running costs and refinement.
Which is cheaper, Toyota Highlander or Kia Telluride?
Kia Telluride is cheaper on base MSRP (USD, 2025): $36,190 against $39,620 for Toyota Highlander. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose Kia Telluride over Toyota Highlander?
Kia Telluride is the better fit for families who want near-luxury space and a long warranty. Its strongest points are upscale cabin for the price, 291 hp v6, 10-year/100k powertrain warranty.
Sources
- Toyota Highlander: Toyota official site (manufacturer)
- Toyota Highlander: EPA fueleconomy.gov (regulator)
- Kia Telluride: Kia official site (manufacturer)
- Kia Telluride: EPA fueleconomy.gov (regulator)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.