2023 Toyota Highlander vs Kia Telluride

The 2023 Toyota Highlander and the 2023 Kia Telluride are mid-size SUVs that promise a seamless driving experience. Whichever vehicle you choose, you can enjoy access to an assortment of technology features with a luxurious cabin and body style. Explore the difference between them to see which one best suits your preferences.

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Trim Levels

2023 Toyota Highlander via Toyota.com

Before making your next vehicle purchase, it’s important to explore each trim level and its unique features. The 2023 Toyota Highlander offers five configurations to choose from, including basic and advanced features in the SUV’s interior and exterior designs. Here’s a list of the gas-only models:

• LE.
• XLE.
• XSE.
• Limited.
• Platinum.

The 2023 Kia Telluride has a total of 10 configurations. The higher the trim level, the more exclusive the style and technology features. You can select your SUV from the following list:

• LX.
• S.
• EX.
• EX X-Line.
• SX.
• SX X-Line.
• SX X-Pro.
• SX Prestige.
• SX Prestige X-Line.
• SX Prestige X-Pro.

Exterior Design

The 2023 Toyota Highlander and the 2023 Kia Telluride both showcase exterior designs that are nice to look at but even more fun to drive. For body color, both vehicles offer you a choice between classic shades of silver, gray, black, and white. For a color that stands out, consider a Highlander in cypress.

Another similarity between the vehicles is their alloy wheels, spanning 18 inches on entry-level trims and increasing to 20 inches on higher configurations. The Highlander in the XSE trim is noticeable from its sporty front grille, and its Limited and Platinum trims deliver unadulterated views of the scenery with a panoramic sunroof. The Telluride includes similar standard features to its counterpart, such as power-folding mirrors, LED headlights, and roof rails. Plus, its side mirrors are heated, capable of clearing away fog and rain to maintain visibility. You can also distinguish the Telluride by its dual-pane sunroof.

Power and Performance

While both mid-size SUVs have attractive exterior designs, they also operate using powerful motors that ensure a smooth driving experience for you and your passengers. Peek beneath the hood of the 2023 Toyota Highlander and marvel at its turbocharged, 2.4-liter engine. It cranks out 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 47 lb-ft from the V-6 motor on the previous model. With the new V-4 engine, the Highlander emits less carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide in the air. Its fuel economy is also 20 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined.

Once you press the button to start the 2023 Kia Telluride, you can hear its V-6 engine come to life. Using 3.8 liters, the engine can crank out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft or torque. Fill up the gas tank, and you can achieve 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. Like the Highlander, the Telluride utilizes an eight-speed automatic transmission. Both also SUVs boast the same towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, though the Highlander also offers trailer sway control that makes driving to and from your family camping trips a breeze.

Interior Design

One glance inside these SUVs, and you’ll see that comfort and convenience are top priorities. The 2023 Toyota Highlander and the 2023 Kia Telluride are ideal for carpooling with coworkers or road trips with friends. On the lower configurations of both models, there’s enough room for eight passengers, while the upper-level trims use captain’s chairs that allow you to invite a total of seven passengers along for the ride. The Highlander provides 42 inches of leg room for you and your front-row companion, while the Telluride has 41.4 inches to stretch your legs.

Both SUVs also specialize in foldable rear seats, enabling you to stash large belongings when you’re traveling by yourself. If you’ve maximized the passenger count in your Highlander, you’ll still have 16 cubic feet of space for your stuff. Plus, you can load up the vehicle by extending your foot, which signals the liftgate to rise without using your hands. On the Tellluride, you have 21 cubic feet of room to use. The interior surfaces are black leather, while the Highlander is available in black or gray cloth material.

Thanks to the privacy glass, a standard feature on both SUVs, no one will be able to see inside your vehicle. The Telluride uses solar control glass to combat the sun’s rays, keeping the interior cool. On the Highlander, you can take advantage of the built-in sunshades inside of the doors to minimize the brightness of the sunshine. Both models offer a leather-wrapped steering wheel, with the Telluride also including a leather-wrapped gear shift knob.

Entertainment and Safety Features

Another reason these SUVs are ideal for group traveling is their advanced technology that entertains and protects all passengers. On the entry-level trims of the Highlander, you can view settings using an eight-inch touchscreen, but the Limited model has a 12.3-inch display that responds to commands with a simple gesture of your hand. The touchscreen in the Telluride is similar in size, except it shows directions to your destination and allows you to access services from Kia Connect.

An upgrade to the Limited trim level of the Highlander gives you access to an 11-speaker audio system, allowing you to blast tunes from the music library or streaming app on your Android or Apple smartphone. Although a six-speaker audio system is standard on the Telluride, you can invest in the upgrade of 10 speakers with premium sound to orchestrate your vehicle karaoke. The Telluride also boasts a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Regardless of which SUV you’re driving, you can receive an alert when the tires are veering outside of the lane. The Highlander’s technology can steer the wheel to correct the vehicle’s position. Both models also help you stay aware of your surroundings to avoid collisions. The Highlander includes the rear cross-traffic alert to notify you of approaching vehicles, while the Telluride may apply the brakes on your behalf if something is obstructing your path.

Which one is right for you, the 2023 Toyota Highlander or the 2023 Kia Telluride? One way to find out is to take the SUV out for a spin to experience its sophisticated technology and powerful performance. Give us a call at (513) 874-8797 today to schedule your test drive. We’re also ready to welcome you to our dealership in Fairfield, Ohio, so you can explore our new inventory. Make sure to ask our team of experts about financing options to find a vehicle upgrade in your budget.