The 2026 Kia Telluride is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This naturally aspirated V6 delivers smooth, confident power for daily driving, merging, and towing. Most Telluride trims are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, with the SX Prestige X-Pro reaching 5,500 pounds.

The 2026 Toyota Highlander uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque on non-hybrid trims, giving it a torque advantage over the Telluride but 26 fewer horsepower. A Highlander Hybrid is available with improved fuel economy. The Telluride counters with a more refined V6 character that many drivers prefer for long-distance comfort, and its larger engine delivers strong performance without the complexity of a turbocharged system.

The 2026 Kia Telluride comes standard with Kia Drive Wise Technologies on every trim, including forward collision avoidance assist, blind spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision warning, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, navigation-based smart cruise control with stop and go, and rear occupant alert. The Telluride holds a 5-Star NHTSA overall safety rating and earned IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ for 2025. Kia also backs the Telluride with its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, double Toyota's powertrain coverage and nearly double the basic coverage.

The Telluride EX and above come standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and available dual panoramic display. A smart power liftgate with auto-close is standard on every trim except the base LX, making loading groceries and gear significantly easier. The Toyota Highlander includes Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ as standard and offers a capable infotainment system, though display sizes vary more by trim than in the Telluride.

The 2026 Kia Telluride most important advantage for families is its third row. The Telluride offers 31.4 inches of third-row legroom, which comfortably fits most adults and teenagers. The Toyota Highlander provides only 27.7 inches in the third row, a space that many adults find uncomfortable on trips longer than a few minutes. For families who regularly carry six or more people, this difference makes the Telluride the clearly practical choice.

Cargo space backs that up across every configuration. Behind the third row, the Telluride offers 21.0 cubic feet versus the Highlander's 16.0 cubic feet. With the third row folded, the Telluride provides 46.0 cubic feet to the Highlander's 48.4 cubic feet, where the Highlander is competitive. With all seats folded, the Telluride opens to 87.0 cubic feet versus 84.3 cubic feet in the Highlander. A standard dual-level cargo floor adds extra organization flexibility that the Highlander does not offer.