Compare the2022 Kia TellurideVS 2021 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/05/05

Both the Telluride and 4Runner have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Telluride has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The 4Runner’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Telluride are reminded to check the back seat when a sensor determines the back seat is occupied. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Forward Collision Avoidance in the Telluride as “Superior.” The 4Runner scores zero, and is rated by the IIHS as having no effective frontal crash prevention.

The Telluride SX has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 4Runner only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Telluride’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Telluride’s standard cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Telluride uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Telluride and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Telluride is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Telluride	4Runner
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	47%
Neck Stress	275 lbs.	438 lbs.
Neck Compression	32 lbs.	54 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36%	57%
Neck Stress	131 lbs.	271 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	351/369 lbs.	453/353 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Kia Telluride is safer than the 4Runner:

	Telluride	4Runner
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	109	142
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	12 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	1.2/1.4 kN	3.9/2.4 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Tibia index R/L	.38/.35	.95/.85
Tibia forces R/L	1.4/1.3 kN	5/2.9 kN

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Telluride is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Telluride	4Runner
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	41	41
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	93 G’s	179 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	20 inches
HIC	450	507
Hip Force	640 lbs.	895 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Telluride, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 9.1% to 10.3% less likely to roll over than the 4Runner, which received a three-star rating.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Telluride the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 120 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 4Runner is not a “Top Pick.”

Warranty

The Telluride comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 4Runner’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Telluride 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the 4Runner. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the 4Runner ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fourth.

Engine

The Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6 produces 21 more horsepower (291 vs. 270) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kia Telluride is faster than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Telluride	4Runner
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	17.8 sec	22 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.4 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.3 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	132 MPH	105 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Telluride gets better fuel mileage than the 4Runner:

			MPG
Telluride
	2WD	3.8 DOHC V6	20 city/26 hwy
	4WD	3.8 DOHC V6	19 city/24 hwy
4Runner
	2WD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy
	4WD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Telluride higher (5 out of 10) than the Toyota 4Runner (3). This means the Telluride produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 4Runner every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Kia Telluride, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a five-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

Brakes and Stopping

The Telluride stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

	Telluride	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	162 feet	201 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	133 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Telluride LX/EX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner’s standard 70 series tires. The Telluride S/SX’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the 4Runner Limited/Nightshade’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Telluride LX/EX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Kia Telluride has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Telluride has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Telluride’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the 4Runner (114.2 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Telluride is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 4Runner.

The Telluride SX 4x4 handles at .81 G’s, while the 4Runner TRD Off-Road pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Telluride SX 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 29.5 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

The Kia Telluride may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Toyota 4Runner.

Unibody construction lowers the Telluride’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner uses body-on-frame design instead.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Telluride SX 4x4 is quieter than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road:

	Telluride	4Runner
At idle	36 dB	43 dB
Full-Throttle	74 dB	76 dB
70 MPH Cruising	63 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

The Telluride has standard seating for 8 passengers; the 4Runner can only carry up to 7.

The Telluride has 27 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4Runner (155 vs. 128).

The Telluride has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 2.4 inches more front hip room, 3.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 9.5 inches more rear legroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room, 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.8 inches more third row headroom, 2.1 inches more third row legroom and .4 inches more third row hip room than the 4Runner.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Telluride’s middle and third row seats recline. The 4Runner’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Telluride’s cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

	Telluride	4Runner
Behind Third Seat	21 cubic feet	9 cubic feet

The Telluride’s cargo area is larger than the 4Runner’s in almost every dimension:

	Telluride	4Runner
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20.4”/49.8”/83.8”	n.a./42”/66.3”
Max Width	54.4”	57.7”
Min Width	43.5”	42.4”
Height	34.5”	39.5”

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Telluride’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 4Runner doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Telluride EX/SX’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Telluride’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Telluride to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 4Runner.

Ergonomics

The Telluride has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The engine computer on the Telluride automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The 4Runner’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The Telluride SX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Telluride’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The 4Runner’s parking brake has to released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Telluride and the 4Runner have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Telluride is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The 4Runner prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Telluride’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 4Runner’s power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Telluride has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Telluride SX’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The 4Runner’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Telluride has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the 4Runner only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Telluride’s available headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the 4Runner’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

The Telluride has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The 4Runner has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Limited/TRD Pro/Nightshade.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Telluride to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4Runner doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Telluride’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 4Runner’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

When the Telluride SX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The 4Runner’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Telluride and the 4Runner offer available heated front seats. The Telluride SX also offers optional heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

The Telluride EX/SX has standard front air conditioned seats and the Telluride SX offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The 4Runner doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

On extremely cold winter days, the Telluride EX/SX’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Telluride has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/TRD Pro/Nightshade.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Telluride S/EX/SX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. The 4Runner doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Telluride owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Telluride with a number “8” insurance rate while the 4Runner is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Telluride is less expensive to operate than the 4Runner because typical repairs cost much less on the Telluride than the 4Runner, including $106 less for a water pump, $174 less for a starter, $25 less for a fuel pump and $708 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Kia Telluride as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Toyota 4Runner isn't recommended.

The Telluride was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 2 years. The 4Runner has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the Telluride as their 2020 Sport Utility of the Year. The 4Runner has never been chosen.