2027 Kia Telluride vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Review

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2027 Kia Telluride vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: a comparison presented by Kia Country of Manteca

The 2027 Kia Telluride continues to stand out as one of the most well-rounded three-row SUVs on the market, and when compared to the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander, it delivers a more balanced blend of style, capability, reliability, and value. While the Grand Highlander focuses heavily on size and efficiency, the Telluride offers a more unique design, a more premium-feeling interior, and a stronger sense of personality that many families find more appealing in daily use.  Power comes from a sophisticated and capable powertrain lineup, paired with a responsive automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive. For 2027, the new turbo-hybrid system adds an estimated 35 mpg combined on select trims, giving the Telluride a major efficiency advantage without sacrificing the strong, steady performance the SUV is known for. Capability is another area where the Telluride pulls ahead. With up to 5,500 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped, generous ground clearance, and rugged X-Line and X-Pro trims, it is more versatile for real-world adventure use.  Inside, the Telluride continues to impress with premium materials, spacious seating across all three rows, and intuitive technology that keeps passengers connected and entertained. Families in Modesto, Tracy, Stockton, and Manteca especially appreciate its quiet cabin, upscale finishes, and user-friendly layout that feels more luxurious than many competitors in its class, including the Grand Highlander.  Kia Country of Manteca is committed to showing you why the Telluride is the superior choice, so come along as we detail all the ways in which the 2027 Kia Telluride outperforms the Toyota Grand Highlander.

Performance Specs

Available now at our Manteca location at a competitive price, the 2027 Kia Telluride delivers a more balanced and versatile powertrain lineup than the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander, giving it a clear edge for drivers who want both capability and efficiency in a three-row SUV.  The standard Telluride is powered by a reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine producing approximately 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Married to an eight-speed automatic transmission, it delivers confident acceleration and a relaxed, composed driving experience that feels more natural and less strained than the Grand Highlander’s turbocharged four-cylinder base setup. Front-wheel drive is available on select trims, while all-wheel drive can be equipped across most of the lineup and comes standard on the X-Line and X-Pro models. This gives the Telluride a strong advantage over the Grand Highlander when it comes to rugged capability, especially in rough weather or light off-road conditions where Kia’s AWD tuning and X-Pro enhancements feel more purpose-built.  Fuel efficiency remains competitive for a V6-powered midsize SUV. FWD models achieve an estimated 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while AWD versions deliver around 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Even with this traditional V6 setup, the Telluride maintains a strong balance of power and efficiency without feeling underpowered or overworked like some smaller turbo engines.  If your focus is on fuel savings, the available hybrid model takes efficiency and performance to another level. It pairs a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with dual electric motors for a combined 329 horsepower and an estimated 35 mpg combined, offering stronger output than many rivals while still delivering excellent fuel economy.

Interior Highlights

The 2027 Kia Telluride delivers a thoughtfully designed interior that when compared to the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander, it offers a more refined and upscale overall experience.  Inside the Telluride, smart storage solutions are everywhere from a deep center console to wide door pockets and well-placed compartments that make it easy to keep daily essentials organized. Seating is a major highlight, with supportive front seats designed for long drives and available in a range of materials from durable cloth to upscale SynTex and premium leather. The second row offers both bench seating and available captain’s chairs, while the third row remains impressively spacious and comfortable for adult passengers, giving the Telluride a more balanced three-row experience than the Grand Highlander.  The Telluride offers generous space behind the third row and expands significantly with the rear seats folded, making it easy to handle everything from groceries to road trip gear. While the Grand Highlander does offer more maximum cargo volume on paper, the Telluride’s layout feels more usable and better integrated into the cabin design.  Where the Telluride clearly pulls ahead is in interior design and technology. Its available panoramic curved display seamlessly combines the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system into one sleek, modern interface, creating a more premium and cohesive look than the Grand Highlander’s more traditional, separated screens. Materials throughout the cabin feel higher-end, and available features like ambient lighting, a head-up display, and customizable driver settings further enhance the experience.

Trim Review

Kia Country of Manteca is proud to showcase the reliable 2027 Kia Telluride lineup, offering a wide range of trims designed to fit the different lifestyles, preferences, and budgets of drivers across Modesto, Tracy and Stockton. The lineup includes nine trims: LX, S, EX, X-Line EX, SX, X-Line SX, SX Prestige, X-Line SX Prestige, and X-Pro SX Prestige.

The LX sets a strong foundation with dual 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, advanced safety tech, and stylish alloy wheels. The S adds a sportier look with larger wheels, roof rails, a sunroof, and second-row captain’s chairs for added comfort.  Moving up, the EX introduces leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power liftgate for a more premium feel. X-Line trims build on this with rugged styling, standard all-wheel drive, increased ground clearance, and enhanced capability.  The SX adds high-end tech like a surround-view monitor, premium audio system, ambient lighting, and expanded driver-assist features. At the top, the SX Prestige delivers near-luxury touches including Nappa leather, a head-up display, and heated and ventilated second-row seats.  For maximum capability, the X-Line SX Prestige and X-Pro SX Prestige combine top-tier luxury with off-road enhancements, added towing confidence, and bold, adventure-ready styling.

Kia Country of Manteca

Hopefully you are convinced that the all-new 2027 Kia Telluride is the SUV you have always dreamed of!  With nine trims in the lineup, we are sure there is one that has everything you could want and more!  Let the friendly and intelligent staff here at Kia Country of Manteca prove to you that we deserve your business!   Our experienced staff is ready and waiting to share their knowledge of the 2027 Kia Telluride trim level line-up, so don’t wait to stop by for some truly rewarding customer service!   Given our location in Manteca, we are able to serve so many customers, including surrounding communities like Modesto, Tracy, and Stockton.  For over 20 years, we have taken pride in our commitment to offer the best price on a new car to our customers, so come down and see us!  Thank you for joining us in this review of the 2027 Kia Telluride, a modern and tech-forward SUV that outperforms the Toyota Grand Highlander!  It’s for sale on our lot now at a price you’ll love!