2023 Kia Telluride vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models showcased a refreshed design with updated front and rear styling, new headlights and taillights, and fresh wheel designs. The new paint colours, including Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, added a vibrant touch, while the interior offered new hues like Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line model replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a raised suspension, unique grille design, and black 20-inch wheels, while the X-Pro model took it further with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road appeal. 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 colours, 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 5,115 millimetres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase, offering a spacious interior. The Grand Highlander's design was more conservative and blockier, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the Ford Explorer and the 4Runner. It featured a trapezoidal grille with a horizontal slit between narrow headlights, giving it a distinctive look. Inside, the Grand Highlander offered black Softex synthetic leather on the XLE trim, with real leather available on the Limited and Platinum trims. The interior was comfortable, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel as standard in Canada. The Grand Highlander excelled as a road-trip vehicle, with quality materials and seamless fit and finish.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with a low-speed Lock setting for the AWD system. The Telluride X-Line averaged 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, while the X-Pro returned 11.5 L/100 km, including off-roading. The X-Pro model featured 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and an improved cooling system, increasing towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms. The Telluride's off-road capabilities were showcased during a test drive in Texas hill country, where it performed well on challenging terrain. On highways, the Telluride offered a smooth ride, with some wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options: a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder with 265 horsepower, a 2.5-litre hybrid with 245 combined net horsepower, and the Hybrid Max powertrain with 362 horsepower. All powertrains came with AWD in Canada. The Hybrid Max delivered impressive acceleration, with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was larger and less maneuverable than the smaller Highlander, with some body roll in corners and a numb steering feel. However, its brakes were solid, and acceleration was adequate. The Grand Highlander offered three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

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. The interior was spacious, with comfortable seating and a power lumbar stabilization system for long trips. The second row featured manual side-window sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets. The third-row seating area was accessible and comfortable for larger adults. The Telluride offered ample storage space, with a smart power tailgate and generous cargo capacity, including 601 litres behind the third row and up to 2,455 litres with both rear rows folded.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its rivals, with a length of over 5 metres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase. It offered more cargo capacity than the Telluride, with 2,761 litres in total, 1,640 litres behind the second row, and 583 litres with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with good visibility and ample headroom, legroom, 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 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. It supported over-the-air updates and dual-device Bluetooth connectivity. The Telluride included Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. New digital-key technology and a Full Display rear-view mirror were available, along with an optional head-up display. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature, reminding drivers when traffic started moving.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering an intelligent assistant, cloud-based navigation, and live agent assistance via a connected-services subscription. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Grand Highlander Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available, with a three-month trial. Toyota's tech offering had improved, but shoppers needed to review subscription options carefully.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and automatic emergency braking. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Telluride featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Drive Assist 1.5 for semi-autonomous driving. The IIHS rated the 2023 Telluride as a Top Safety Pick+.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, with features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and blind-spot monitoring. It also offered adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings. Traffic jam assist and a head-up display were exclusive to the Platinum grade. The Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.