3 Reasons the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Isn’t a Real Kia Telluride Killer
Toyota’s latest midsize SUV has the industry in a frenzy. People are excited about the gargantuan new midsize SUV for more reasons than one. It may be a formidable opponent for the Kia Telluride, but it won’t completely overshadow the South Korean SUV. Here are a few reasons why the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander probably isn’t the Kia Telluride killer that we once imagined it could be.
Why the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander won’t kill the Kia Telluride
- Affordability
- Standard creature comforts
- The Telluride has a huge fan base
- Not every driver values longevity as much as Toyota lovers
Make no mistake, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is easily one of the most impactful new SUVs to hit the streets this year (whenever it finally arrives). It has made a huge splash at auto shows, and Toyota fans are going absolutely bananas over the massive SUV. Why? Toyota rarely misses when it comes to its SUV nameplates. From the RAV4 to the Land Cruiser, Toyota has made its mark on the SUV vehicle class.
Even the Grand Highlander’s predecessor, the Highlander, has made quite the name for itself in the SUV space. Still, Kia’s midsize three-row SUV won’t go down without a fight. If you thought that the arrival of the Grand Highlander would take the Telluride off the board, you’re mistaken.
Kia’s midsize SUV is still as relevant as ever, and the Grand Highlander may not be seen as a Telluride alternative to many consumers. Pricing and standard features are the main reasons why some drivers will choose the Telluride over the Grand Highlander and other new midsize three-row SUV options.
Toyota Grand Highlander vs. Kia Telluride: Pricing
Japanese automaker Toyota is no stranger to producing value-oriented nameplates, but Hyundai Motor Company and its Kia brand produce more affordable alternatives in several vehicle segments. The Kia Telluride is significantly more affordable than the Grand Highlander despite getting a huge price bump for the latest model year.
| Midsize Three-Row SUV | Starting MSRP |
| Toyota Grand Highlander | $43,070 |
| Kia Telluride | $35,990 |
The price difference between the base model Grand Highlander and Telluride is a whopping $7,080. That’s a huge difference, considering how well-equipped the Telluride is. It comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, SynTex seat trim, and smart cruise control with stop-and-go. Additionally, the Telluride LX also has rear parking sensors, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Since the Telluride has such great standard features, many consumers will choose the more affordable midsize three-row SUV. Furthermore, it has amassed a huge following over the last few years. Telluride fans won’t just abandon the nameplate without a real alternative that provides better value within the same price range.
Is the Toyota Grand Highlander a Kia Telluride killer?
The Toyota Grand Highlander isn’t a Telluride rival in the traditional sense. Instead, the Grand Highlander is a welcome addition to Toyota’s portfolio. Furthermore, it’s a better rival for the Mazda CX-90. The Grand Highlander could become a huge name in its vehicle segment, but will it actually steal sales from the Telluride?
