2025 Toyota Grand Highlander VS. 2025 Kia Telluride
When shopping for a larger SUV with three rows of seating to accommodate up to eight passengers, two top contenders are the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Kia Telluride. Both offer impressive comfort and value—without the hefty price tag of luxury SUVs. The team at Serra Toyota of Decatur proudly helps drivers from Moulton, Athens, and Hartselle explore the standout features of the Grand Highlander—and why it outshines the Telluride in all the ways that matter most.
 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander |
2025 Kia Telluride |
MSRP |
|
| $42,360 | $36,390 |
City/Highway MPG |
|
| Up to 21 city / 28 highway | Up to 20 city / 26 highway |
Engine |
|
| 2.4 L turbocharged I‑4 | 3.8 L V6 Lambda II GDi |
Transmission |
|
| 8‑speed automatic | 8‑speed automatic |
Horsepower |
|
| 265 hp | 291 hp |
Looking At The Space In These Large SUVS
When you need added capacity, you want to know that your SUV offers excellent flexibility to meet your ever-changing needs. With both SUVs offering three-row seating and a maximum capacity of eight, you might think there is little to compare. However, the Grand Highlander wins the battle of cargo capacity with over ten cubic feet of added cargo space when the rear two rows of seating are folded down. As you might expect, it also provides approximately ten additional cubic feet of capacity when only the rearmost seat is folded down, offering added functionality for Grand Highlander owners.
Driver And Passenger Comfort
Knowing that the Grand Highlander is the winner when comparing cargo capacity, it is easy to wonder if Toyota sacrificed passenger space and comfort to accommodate more gear. The simple answer is no. The Grand Highlander and the Telluride have been evaluated by U.S. News & World Report to determine passenger comfort details. The result was a bold statement that the Grand Highlander provides ample room for adult seating in all three rows, which the reviewers called a rarity. They also mentioned the user-friendly access to all rows of seating in the Grand Highlander and the ability to include upgraded seating with climate control and Nappa leather. The result of the deep dive into comfort found the Toyota Grand Highlander coming out on top.
More Interior Features
Toyota has always been known as a company with a focus on cutting-edge technology. The Grand Highlander follows that tradition by including more tech and functions inside this SUV than are offered in the Telluride. Some notable upgrades found in the Grand Highlander that are missing or cost extra in the Telluride include the wireless device charging pad, digital key, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and universal garage-door opener. If you and your gang love tech, the Toyota Grand Highlander is sure to be your pick over the Telluride.
Fuel Economy Is Essential
With the current price of fuel, every drop of gas used by a large vehicle is crucial. The Toyota Grand Highlander delivers on more cargo capacity and passenger comfort while still sipping fuel more economically than the Telluride. The comparison is close, but the Toyota wins with a mile or two per gallon more in both city and highway driving, which is likely to reward you with a few hundred in fuel savings each year you own the Grand Highlander as compared to the Telluride. Those savings will increase more dramatically if you opt for the hybrid model of the Grand Highlander.
Now that you know the winner, please stop by Serra Toyota of Decatur to take a test drive in a new Toyota Grand Highlander and experience all that this amazing SUV has to offer in terms of comfort, capacity, and capability.