The 2022 Kia Telluride is considered to be the best midsize SUV model on the market by several experts and automotive publications. The Telluride provides great value to consumers, but is the Highlander Hybrid the better deal?

The 2022 Kia Telluride has one major problem area

It’s easy to sing the Kia Telluride’s praises when considering its price and lengthy list of standard features. The Telluride has a refined cabin, it’s spacious, and many experts agree that the popular midsize SUV is an all-around good deal. Something that’s often swept under the rug in Telluride conversations is its fuel economy.

What do you look for in a good midsize SUV? Is it cargo or cabin space? Perhaps you pay special attention to ride quality. Today, one of the most important factors that consumers must consider when purchasing a new midsize SUV is fuel economy.

Refueling costs are an important cost of ownership. This cost depends on the vehicle’s tank size, gas mileage, and the price of gas. Gas prices have reached unprecedented highs, so fuel economy is perhaps more important than ever before.

Consumer Reports gave the 2022 Kia Telluride an overall score of 97/100. It received perfect predicted reliability and predicted ownership satisfaction scores as well. The Telluride got a 3/5 or 60% for fuel economy and a 4/10 for CR’s greenhouse gas category.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is more fuel efficient than the Telluride

The best vehicle in a vehicle segment shouldn’t always be the most popular due to factors like affordability. Kia’s midsize SUV is clearly dominant in its segment, but will Americans continue to purchase the vehicle if rivals are cheaper to refuel?

The 2022 Kia Telluride achieves 20 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid gets 36 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway. The Highlander Hybrid costs almost $6,000 more than the Telluride. That being said, it could potentially save drivers thousands of dollars on gas over a long period of time.

The Kia Telluride has a driving range of roughly 442 miles based on its tank size and combined MPG. The Highlander Hybrid has a driving range of around 600 miles before needing to refuel. Toyota’s midsize hybrid SUV gets drivers much further than the Kia Telluride on a single tank of gas.

Is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid a better buy than the Kia Telluride?

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a fuel-efficient twist to the Japanese automaker’s midsize SUV nameplate. MotorTrend gave the 2022 Toyota Highlander an 8.7/10 overall score because of its roomy cargo area and incredible gas mileage. The automotive publication calls the Highlander Hybrid the best three-row hybrid SUV.

The Telluride is more affordable and is championed for its attractive exterior and comfy cabin. Ultimately, experts favor the Telluride over the Highlander Hybrid, but will consumers continue to buy the popular midsize SUV as it becomes more expensive to refuel?