Ultimate Family SUV Battle: Telluride vs Highlander

The Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander are two of the top three-row midsize SUVs on the market today. They both offer seating for up to eight passengers, advanced safety technology, and family-friendly versatility. Still, you might wonder which is best for your driving routine and how each differs from the other.

Our team here at H+H Kia of Omaha, your local Kia dealer near Omaha, can help with this by offering a side-by-side comparison that explores the similarities and differences. Additionally, we can answer any questions you might have, ensuring you get the details you need to make the right decision for your daily driving routine.

Power Through Any Journey: Performance and Off-Road Capability

Just because you are looking for a family-friendly SUV doesn’t mean that you don’t want it to deliver optimal power and performance. After all, you might be using it to haul the family camper on the weekends or want a smooth ride for extended road trips. Either way, power and performance matter, which means they deserve a closer look.

For the 2025 Kia Telluride, you will find that every trim level is equipped with a 3.8L V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine gives you a robust 291 hp, along with the ability to tow up to 5,500 lbs when properly equipped. Additionally, the Telluride can reach 60 mph in about 6.8 seconds.

Meanwhile, the 2025 Highlander is equipped with a standard 2.4L turbocharged I-4 engine that produces 265 hp, achieving 60 mph in approximately 7.2 seconds. As you can imagine, less horsepower translates to less towing capacity, with the Highlander topping out at 5,000 lbs. While this might not seem like a big difference, it can be a dealbreaker for some.

Have off-roading on your bucket list? This is another area where the Telluride shines. The Kia Telluride X-Pro trims are specifically designed for light off-roading with standard all-wheel drive, an off-road-tuned suspension, and all-terrain tires. These versions also boast 8.4 inches of ground clearance for tackling rough terrain. The Highlander, on the other hand, is designed for road comfort and lacks a specialized off-road trim. It is also limited to just eight inches of ground clearance.

Room for Everyone: Interior Comfort and Space

When choosing the right SUV for you, it is important to pay attention to comfort and space. Ensuring everyone has enough room and other creature comforts by their side is key, whether you are in charge of getting the kids and their friends to school each day or you and your friends want to enjoy a weekend getaway.

As mentioned above, each of these SUVs offers seating for either seven or eight passengers. The difference in capacity is due to having captain’s chairs in the second row or a bench seat. Breaking down the numbers, the Telluride is slightly larger overall, measuring 196.9 inches in length compared to the Highlander’s 194.9 inches.

Additionally, the Telluride offers far more interior volume—178.1 cu.ft. compared to 141.8 cu.ft.—ensuring there is ample headroom and legroom for all, regardless of where you are seated in the vehicle. Wondering about cargo space? The Telluride wins again with a total cargo volume of 87 cu.ft., while the Highlander offers 84.3 cu.ft.

Beyond space, you will find that both Kia and Toyota have gone above and beyond to elevate the interior of these SUVs, especially at the higher trims, where you will find quality soft-touch surfaces, premium cushioned seating, and available amenities like heated and ventilated seats, memory features for the driver’s seat, tri-zone climate control, a power sunroof, ambient lighting, and more.

Stay Connected With Advanced Technologies

In today’s fast-paced, digitally focused world, staying connected even while on the road is a priority for many Omaha drivers. Both Kia and Toyota understand this and have equipped the Telluride and Highlander with many of the features you would expect to find in a modern SUV.

For starters, the Telluride comes standard with a large 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display on all trims. From that display, you can access some of your favorite apps when connected to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, as well as access turn-by-turn directions and even onboard Wi-Fi.

You will also find that higher trims offer a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 110-volt power inverter, and the ability to wirelessly charge compatible smartphones. Additionally, Kia’s Driver Talk system allows you to communicate directly with passengers in the backseat without needing to turn around or raise your voice.

When exploring the Highlander, you will quickly see that only the Limited and Platinum trims have a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen display, while the other trims come with an eight-inch setup. Other features remain the same, as all trim levels allow you to connect to the infotainment system via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Additionally, you can access a Wi-Fi hotspot and SiriusXM. However, you can't easily communicate with backseat passengers, as Toyota removed its Driver Easy Speak function in 2023.

Keeping Safe on the Road: Driver Assist Features

On the safety side of things, you will find that both SUVs offer a long list of driver-assist features. In fact, each consistently earns high marks when it comes to overall safety ratings, with both 2025 models receiving five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Knowing this gives you peace of mind, whether you are simply running errands around Omaha or driving farther afield.

Breaking things down further, you will find that the Toyota Highlander and the Kia Telluride offer many of the active safety and driver-assist technologies you would expect to see. This includes features like forward collision mitigation, lane centering, and adaptive cruise control. However, a closer look shows that the Telluride gains an advantage because it offers many of its advanced features even at the base trim level.

For instance, if you want front and rear parking assist, you will need to choose a high-trim Highlander. Meanwhile, the Kia Telluride offers standard rear parking sensors for the base trim level and adds standard front parking sensors on its middle trims. There is also an advanced feature that only the Telluride offers, called Blind Spot View Monitor. This feature enables you to view a camera feed of your blind spot, eliminating the need to rely solely on your mirrors.

Discover Your Perfect SUV: Check Out the Kia Telluride Today

Both the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2025 Toyota Highlander are excellent choices in the three-row SUV segment. They share a focus on safety, family-friendly design, and modern technology. However, a closer look shows that the Telluride edges out the Highlander in a few key areas, including space, power, and performance.

Additionally, the Telluride is backed by an industry-leading warranty that provides bumper-to-bumper coverage for five years or 60,000 miles and powertrain coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles. In contrast, the Highlander offers a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That added time is significant for many Omaha drivers who want to ensure they get the most for their money.

If you are ready to take a closer look at what the Telluride has to offer, we invite you to check out our selection online or stop by our dealership to talk with a member of the H+H Kia of Omaha team. Either way, we can help narrow down your options so you find the right fit.