2026–27 Kia Telluride vs Toyota Grand Highlander: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Telluride — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–1 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($39,190 vs $42,260) and more cargo space behind the rear seats (22.3 cu ft vs 20.6 cu ft). Choose the Grand Highlander if you want the most power (362 hp vs 329 hp).
Scorecard: Telluride 3 pts · Grand Highlander 1 pts across 7 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Telluride | 2026 Grand Highlander | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $39,190 | $42,260 | Telluride |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 40.4% | — | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 35 mpg | 36 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 329 hp | 362 hp | Grand Highlander |
| Max towing (1) | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 22.3 cu ft | 20.6 cu ft | Telluride |
| Standard seats (1) | 7 | 7 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 1.2% off MSRP | 0.9% off MSRP | Tie |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 9 | — | No data |
| Weighted points | 3 | 1 | Telluride |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Telluride 35 mpg vs Grand Highlander 36 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Telluride — 22.3 cu ft vs 20.6 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Telluride — $39,190 vs $42,260 (starting MSRP).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Telluride 5,000 lb vs Grand Highlander 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Telluride starts at $39,190 and tops out at $57,590; the Grand Highlander runs $42,260 to $60,175 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Telluride buyers paid a median 1.2% off MSRP across 64 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 2.2% off. Verified Grand Highlander buyers paid a median 0.9% off MSRP across 29 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 2% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Telluride: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Grand Highlander: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Telluride | 2026 Grand Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $39,190 | $42,260 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $57,590 | $60,175 |
| Horsepower | 274–329 hp | 245–362 hp |
| Max torque | 339 lb-ft | 400 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 19–35 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 22–36 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 7 / 8 | 7 / 8 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 22.3 cu ft | 20.6 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| Telluride | Grand Highlander | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.2 in | 201.4 in |
| Width | 78.3 in | 78.3 in |
| Height | 69.5 in | 72.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 in | 116.1 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.4 in | 8 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2020) Telluride lists for a median $19,802 — 40.4% of today's median new price of $48,963. There's no 5-year retention figure for the Grand Highlander yet.
Shop both
- See 25,556 new 2027 Kia Tellurides for sale →Median listed price $56,212 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Toyota Grand Highlanders for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Kia Telluride
More on the Toyota Grand Highlander
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Telluride better than the Grand Highlander?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Telluride — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–1 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($39,190 vs $42,260) and more cargo space behind the rear seats (22.3 cu ft vs 20.6 cu ft). Choose the Grand Highlander if you want the most power (362 hp vs 329 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Telluride or the Grand Highlander?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the Telluride or the Grand Highlander?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Telluride or the Grand Highlander?
The Telluride starts lower: $39,190 vs $42,260 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 1.2% off MSRP on the Telluride (64 deals) and 0.9% on the Grand Highlander (29 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the Telluride or the Grand Highlander?
It's a wash: 35 mpg vs 36 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Kia Telluride vs Toyota Grand Highlander: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/kia-telluride-vs-toyota-grand-highlander, updated November 8, 2026.