What does the Telluride provide to its customers when the Highlander doesn’t?

A large SUV with 3.8-liter V6

Kia has introduced the 2022 model for the Telluride SUV. This SUV is a three-row SUV sold in the United States and is the biggest Asian rival for the Toyota Highlander. But how are the two cars different from each other? Let’s find out.

The Telluride is the biggest in the brand’s lineup and is exclusively designed for the North American market.

It has a body size of 196.9 in. x 78.3 in. x 68.9 in., and a wheelbase of 114.2 in. Developed at the Kia Design Center in Irvine, CA, the car has a characteristic look with a boxy design and an upright windshield.

By the way, Kia has changed its logo to a new design starting in 2021 and with this update, the Telluride’s logo has been changed to the newer one. The new logo, with its continuous design, gives a more sophisticated look to the front end.

The “tiger nose” shaped front grille is a common design feature to all Kia models and has also been brushed up. And now, the interior features an enlarged 10.25-inch display in the center.

On the other hand, Toyota’s counterpart has a body size of 194.9 in. x 76.0 in. x 68.1 in., with its wheelbase being 112.2 in.

While the Telluride is mainly sold in the United States, the Highlander is also introduced in other markets such as Europe, China, and Oceania (sold as the Kluger in Australia).

The face hosts a trapezoidal headlight with a large grille widely placed on the center. Comparing to the previous model, its aerodynamic performance has been improved to contribute to driving stability and reduced wind noise.

As for the powertrains, the Korean SUV only offers 3.8-liter V6 with 8-speed automatic and comes with either an FWD or 4WD. But for the Japanese SUV, a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline with 8-speed automatic or a 2.5-liter I4 hybrid with E-CVT is selectable. An FWD and 4WD can be selected just like the Telluride.

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So how about the prices? Kia’s Telluride starts from $32,790, which is slightly cheaper than the Highlander’s $35,085. Korean cars are said to have great value for their price, but we are yet unsure how the new Telluride will gain popularity in the North American three-row SUV market against the Highlander and other rivals.