2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Highlander showcased a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window that gave it a compact appearance despite its spacious interior. Inside, the Highlander offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions, making it ideal for families. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, navy blue exterior, unique exterior styling, ambient lighting, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander was available in several trims, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious, including a hands-free power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, and a premium JBL audio system.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold reinterpretation of design, with a grille that divided opinions due to its flat, faceless look. The vehicle's personality varied with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that either stood out or blended in. The interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though some controls were difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided comfort, though the cushions were somewhat firm. The Telluride's design was both bold and functional, with ample space for passengers and cargo.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Highlander offered a smooth ride with a sport-tuned suspension in the XSE trim, reducing body roll while maintaining comfort. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds and had a max payload of 1,685 pounds. The Highlander excelled in handling, providing a composed driving experience in various scenarios.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, delivering 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed transmission and was available in all-wheel drive. The Hybrid offered a quiet ride with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The Telluride's suspension provided a smooth ride, even in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims. The vehicle was composed on winding roads, though not particularly sporty. The Telluride Hybrid could tow up to 4,500 pounds and offered a comfortable driving experience with minimal noise.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded. With all seats in use, it provided 16 cubic feet of cargo space. The Highlander featured a power liftgate on trims above the base L, with hands-free operation on Limited and Platinum trims. The interior was designed for convenience, with deep cargo pockets, ample storage, and second-row captain's chairs for easy access to the third row. The third row was best suited for short trips due to limited space for adults.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rear seats were better suited for smaller passengers. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation in the Hybrid SX Prestige trim. The Telluride offered up to 89.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats folded. The interior included a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and storage trays. The Telluride's design prioritized passenger comfort and cargo versatility, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It featured a WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and optional wireless charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with hard buttons for easy navigation. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system were available on higher trims.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control screen. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and a native navigation system. The infotainment system was customizable with themes from various brand collaborations. The Telluride SX trim and above offered a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, delivering high-quality sound.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view parking monitor. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were active, sometimes overly so, on certain roads.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard safety features such as frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective on long trips.