2023 Kia Telluride vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

During a test drive in Texas, the 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models showcased their updated aesthetics. The Telluride featured refreshed front and rear styling, new headlights and taillights, and redesigned wheels. New paint options like Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, along with interior colors such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green, added to its appeal. The X-Line model replaced the Nightfall Edition, offering a raised suspension, unique grille, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro model included exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road look. Inside, the Telluride boasted a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed under a curved 24-inch glass, pushing the SUV into a modern era. Minor interior changes included new colors, trim updates, and a redesigned steering wheel, with embossed trim names on the front seatbacks of the X-Line and X-Pro models.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, built on the TNGA-K platform, was a true crossover, sharing its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry. It was larger than the Kia Telluride, with a length of 201.4 inches and a 116.1-inch wheelbase, offering a spacious interior. The Grand Highlander featured a conservative yet blocky design, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the 4Runner. It was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with Softex synthetic leather on the XLE and real leather on the higher trims. The Platinum trim offered Portobello upholstery with the top-spec engine. Standard features included a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a large center console. The Grand Highlander excelled as a comfortable road-trip vehicle, with quality materials and seamless fit and finish.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting. The Telluride X-Line averaged 24.1 mpg, while the X-Pro returned 20.4 mpg, with official EPA ratings at 21 mpg combined for AWD models. The X-Line and X-Pro models had a raised suspension, increased ground clearance, and improved approach and departure angles, enhancing off-road performance. The X-Pro model, with 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, increased towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. The Telluride performed well off-road, showcasing its AWD Lock mode, ground clearance, and stability. On highways, it offered a smooth ride, with some wind noise and a slightly squishy feel in turns due to the all-terrain tires.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options: a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid with 245 combined net horsepower, and the Hybrid Max powertrain with 362 combined net horsepower and 400 combined net pound-feet of torque. The Hybrid Max, with a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds, was the most powerful option. The Grand Highlander was available with FWD and AWD, with the Hybrid Max only in AWD. The standard turbo gas-engine model, expected to account for 85% of sales, offered adequate acceleration and solid brakes. It had three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional modes for AWD models. The Grand Highlander was larger and less maneuverable than the smaller Highlander, with a bit of body roll and numb steering feel, but it offered a comfortable ride.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs in the SX Prestige trim. The interior was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a power lumbar stabilization system. The second row offered manual side-window sunshades, adjustable armrests, USB ports, and storage pockets. The third-row seat was more comfortable than most midsize SUVs, with easy access. The Telluride had a smart power tailgate and generous cargo space, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its rivals, with a length of 201.4 inches and a 116.1-inch wheelbase. It offered 97.5 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, with 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with good visibility and ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row. A six-foot adult could comfortably sit in the third row, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Kia Telluride featured a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and Kia Connect services. It included a voice recognition system, but climate control adjustments were manual. The Kia Access app allowed remote control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, with OTA updates and dual-device Bluetooth connectivity. The Telluride offered Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless charging, digital-key technology, a Full Display Mirror, and a head-up display. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature, alerting drivers when traffic started moving.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a connected-services subscription for features like an intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 11-speaker JBL stereo on Limited and Platinum trims. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available, with a Wi-Fi Connect package for Apple Music and Amazon Music. Toyota's tech offering had improved, but shoppers needed to carefully consider subscription options.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning system, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also included Safe Exit Assist, adaptive cruise control, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Highway Drive Assist 1.5 and 2.0, front parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, surround-view camera, Blind-Spot View Monitor, automatic high-beam headlights, driver attention warning, and Rear Occupant Alert system. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not been crash-tested or rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard. This suite featured automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control offered four following-distance settings, enhancing safety and convenience.