Compare the2023 Toyota HighlanderVS 2023 Kia Telluride

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Highlander have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Telluride doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Telluride doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Highlander and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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

	Highlander	Telluride
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	321/243 lbs.	164/998 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	328	378
Neck Injury Risk	28.4%	36%
Neck Compression	90 lbs.	91 lbs.

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

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 Toyota Highlander is safer than the Kia Telluride:

	Highlander	Telluride
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.3 inches	.5 inches
Abdominal Force	79 lbs.	93 lbs.
Hip Force	300 lbs.	440 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	114	137
Spine Acceleration	37 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	152 lbs.	449 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	366	450
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	52 G’s

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Telluride:

	Highlander	Telluride
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.51 in	.55 in
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.46 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	201 lbs.	491 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The Highlander’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Telluride runs out after 100,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Telluride.

There are over 59 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Highlander’s reliability 12 points higher than the Telluride.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

Engine

The Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Highlander gets better mileage than the Telluride:

			MPG
Highlander
	FWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
Telluride
	FWD	3.8 DOHC V6	20 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.8 DOHC V6	18 city/24 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Highlander’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Telluride doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Highlander’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Telluride’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

Passenger Space

The Highlander has .3 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom and 1.9 inches more third row hip room than the Telluride.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Highlander	Telluride
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	46 cubic feet

Ergonomics

If the windows are left open on the Highlander the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Telluride can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Highlander’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Telluride’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Telluride doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Recommendations

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Kia Telluride by over two to one during 2022.