The Kia Telluride is quickly becoming one of the most popular SUVs on the market. SUVs are dominating the auto industry as consumers have begun to move away from sedans and smaller vehicles. The SUV vehicle class often offers the best of both worlds and provides performance and comfort. The Toyota RAV4 has a long history of being a reliable, popular SUV. Is the new Kia Telluride going to overtake the Toyota RAV4 in rankings?

The Kia Telluride Vs. the Toyota RAV4: Which is better?

The Toyota RAV4 may not get recognition as the best SUV on the market yearly, but it is always a contender. Japanese automaker Toyota has worked hard to ensure that the RAV4 looks good, drives well, and offers convenient new features every year. The Toyota RAV4 is also extremely affordable and can be equipped with a hybrid powertrain for better gas mileage. But is the RAV4 competitive enough to stave off the threat of the Kia Telluride?

The Kia Telluride is the largest Kia model ever made. South Korean automaker Kia is known for its smaller vehicles, so the creation of the Telluride SUV was shocking, to say the least. It was even more shocking that the Telluride exceeded expectations. The Telluride continues to excite consumers every year and has consistently proved itself to be a standout model.

The Kia Telluride has been out for less than five years and has already made a name for itself in its vehicle class. In contrast, the Toyota RAV4 nameplate has been around for decades. The RAV4 has had ample time to prove itself throughout multiple generations and has established itself as an SUV staple.

The Toyota RAV4 has earned its place alongside great SUVs like the Honda CR-V. It has much more history than the Kia Telluride, but according to consumers and Car and Driver, the Telluride is the better SUV this year. Let’s run through pricing, specs and explore why consumers like the Telluride more.

Is the Kia Telluride worth the money?

The 2022 Kia Telluride starts at $32,790. It is available in eight color options and has nine different leather seat color options. The base model LX has a V6 engine that makes 291 horsepower. It has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Kia Telluride uniquely offers three rows of seating for a total of eight passengers. It comes with several driver-assist features and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2022 Kia Telluride’s interior is where it really shines. It is the height of luxury, and the higher-level trims offer opulence that you would never expect from a Kia. The Telluride’s fuel economy isn’t great, and it does lack powertrain options. Other than that, the 2022 Kia Telluride does just about everything well and is a great, affordable SUV.

The Toyota RAV4 needs an update to compete

Toyota has a winning formula, and it has stuck to it for better or worse. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 starts at $26,250. It is an affordable SUV that boasts great fuel economy and different powertrain options. The base model LE uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 203 horsepower. It has a towing capacity of just 1,500 pounds compared to the Kia Telluride’s 5,000-pound towing capacity.