Why the Telluride Is the Segment Leader Among 3-Row Family SUVs
The 2025 Kia Telluride continues its reign as one of the best midsize 3-row SUVs on the market, and when stacked up against the 2025 Toyota Highlander, it doesn’t just hold its own — it outclasses the Highlander in size, tech, comfort, and all-around ownership value. While Toyota leans on reputation, the Telluride redefines expectations.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison Chart
|
Category |
2025 Kia Telluride |
2025 Toyota Highlander |
Winner |
|
Starting Price |
~$37,000 |
~$37,000 |
✅ Tie |
|
Top Trim Price |
~$55,000 (SX Prestige X-Pro AWD) |
~$56,000+ (Platinum AWD or Hybrid AWD) |
✅ Telluride (Better Value) |
|
Warranty |
10yr / 100,000-mi powertrain |
5yr / 60,000-mi powertrain |
✅ Telluride (Best in Class) |
|
Engine (Gas) |
3.8L V6 – 291 hp, smooth, naturally aspirated |
2.4L Turbo – 265 hp |
✅ Telluride (Power & Smoothness) |
|
Hybrid Option |
No |
Yes – 2.5L Hybrid (~36 MPG) |
✅ Highlander (Fuel Economy) |
|
Drive Options |
FWD / AWD |
FWD / AWD |
✅ Tie |
|
Towing Capacity |
Up to 5,500 lbs (X-Pro trim) |
5,000 lbs max (properly equipped) |
✅ Telluride |
|
Seating Capacity |
7–8 passengers |
7–8 passengers |
✅ Tie |
|
3rd-Row Comfort |
Adult-friendly – best-in-class legroom and access |
Cramped – more suited for kids |
✅ Telluride |
|
Interior Materials |
Premium feel even on mid-trims – quilted leather, open-pore wood available |
Functional, but lower trims use hard plastics |
✅ Telluride |
|
Cargo Behind 3rd Row |
21 cu. ft. |
16 cu. ft. |
✅ Telluride |
|
Interior Volume |
178.1 cu. ft. total interior volume |
141.8 cu. ft. |
✅ Telluride (More Room) |
|
Touchscreen |
12.3” touchscreen standard on all trims |
8” standard; 12.3” only on higher trims |
✅ Telluride |
|
Instrument Cluster |
Digital cluster available on most trims |
Digital only on top trims |
✅ Telluride |
|
Camera & Safety Tech |
360° Camera, Blind-View Monitor, Head-Up Display available |
360° camera on top trims, no blind-view camera |
✅ Telluride |
|
Infotainment Experience |
Fast interface, Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 9+ USB ports |
Good system, but wireless only on some trims |
✅ Telluride |
|
Exterior Design |
Bold, boxy, upscale—mini Range Rover vibes |
Soft, more conservative styling |
✅ Telluride |
|
Ride Quality |
Quiet, composed, excellent suspension tuning |
Slightly noisier and stiffer ride |
✅ Telluride |
Final Thoughts: Telluride Isn’t Just Better—It’s the Benchmark
The 2025 Kia Telluride outperforms the Toyota Highlander in nearly every category that matters to families shopping for a true 3-row SUV:
- More room in the cabin and cargo area.
- Superior third-row comfort.
- More upscale materials and technology at every trim level.
- A towing advantage, class-leading warranty, and bolder presence inside and out.
Unless hybrid fuel economy is your absolute top priority, the Telluride offers a dramatically more satisfying ownership experience, blending refinement, practicality, and long-term value like few vehicles in the segment.