Is the Toyota Grand Highlander the Kia Telluride’s Worst Nightmare?
Toyota makes some of the best SUVs in the world. The Japanese automaker produces several competitive SUV models for different segments. The Kia Telluride has remained relatively unchallenged in the last few years. Toyota’s new nameplate, the Grand Highlander, could be the Kia Telluride’s worst nightmare.
The Toyota Grand Highlander is the brand’s newest midsize SUV
Midsize three-row SUVs are great for large families that need at least seven seats. The Kia Telluride thrives because it’s a spacious family SUV that comes with luxurious standard features for an affordable price. Toyota didn’t have an answer to the Telluride and its dominance until now.
The Toyota Grand Highlander is a midsize three-row SUV designed to have a roomy cabin and spacious cargo area. It looks gigantic compared to the Highlander. Toyota’s Highlander nameplate has existed since 2001. It’s one of the most popular options in its segment because of how reliable it is over long periods of time.
Toyota’s latest midsize SUV is 201.4 inches long. It’s 6.5 inches longer than its predecessor. The base model weighs 4,300 pounds. The greatest difference between the Grand Highlander and Highlander is size. Toyota’s supersized midsize SUV is perfectly positioned to challenge the Telluride.
How much does the Toyota Grand Highlander cost?
Toyota’s new midsize three-row SUV starts at $43,070. It comes in three configurations: XLE, Limited, and Platinum. The Limited and Platinum start at $47,860 and $53,545 respectively. The brand offers hybrid and Hybrid MAX options as well.
The Grand Highlander costs $6,450 more than the Highlander. It may be pricey for a midsize SUV, but the new vehicle has the potential to provide incredible value over time. If it’s as dependable as its predecessor, the Grand Highlander is worth the money.
The Highlander can last for over 200,000 miles. It takes the average driver over 14 years to tack on 200,000 miles based on the average annual driving distance.
So, the Highlander can last for nearly a decade and a half, making it one of the best values in its segment. If the Grand Highlander’s longevity is similar, its pricing is actually reasonable for its value proposition. Still, that doesn’t mean that the new midsize SUV is guaranteed to topple the popular Kia Telluride from its position.
Toyota Grand Highlander vs. Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is 196.9 inches long. The Grand Highlander is over 4.0 inches longer, making it the larger midsize SUV. It has 98 cubic feet of cargo space with seat area. Kia’s midsize SUV has 87 cubic feet of cargo space with seat area.
According to Kia, the 2023 Kia Telluride starts at $35,890. The 2024 model year will be more expensive, but the Grand Highlander will still cost more than the Telluride nameplate.
Toyota’s midsize three-row SUV uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to make 265 horsepower. The 2023 Kia Telluride uses a 3.8-liter V6 to make 291 horsepower. It’s more powerful than the Grand Highlander and has a similar weight.
The Grand Highlander may be larger, more expensive, and less powerful than the Telluride, but it’s the closest midsize SUV that Toyota has to the popular model in that segment. So, the two nameplates will inevitably battle for the attention of consumers. There’s no telling how popular the Grand Highlander will be yet, but the huge new SUV is already attracting plenty of eyeballs.
