2025 Highlander vs 2025 Telluride in Hialeah, FL

2025 Highlander vs 2025 Telluride

Searching for a three-row SUV that keeps up with your crew, your commute, and your South Florida weekend plans? The 2025 Toyota Highlander and 2025 Kia Telluride are both top picks – but one of them delivers more where it really counts. At Headquarter Toyota in Hialeah, we’re laying out exactly why the Highlander continues to be the SUV families prefer.

Interior Comparison

The 2025 Highlander checks all the boxes for comfort, space, and everyday usability. Its available second-row captain’s chairs make it easy to slide into the third row, and once you’re there, you’ll appreciate the adult-friendly legroom. The Highlander offers seating for up to eight and a maximum cargo space of 84.3 cubic feet – plenty for beach gear, sports bags, or a Costco haul.

The Telluride delivers upscale finishes and a stylish layout, but its third row feels a bit more cramped. Cargo space maxes out at 87 cubic feet – comparable, but less versatile than the Highlander’s flat-folding setup and power liftgate options.

2025 Toyota Highlander	2025 Kia Telluride
Rows: Three Max Seating: Eight Max Cargo Capacity: 84.2 cubic Feet Upholstery Options: Cloth Upholstery (Standard) / Synthetic and Genuine Leather Upholstery (Optional)	Rows: Three Max Seating: Eight Max Cargo Capacity: 87 Cubic Feet Upholstery Options: Synthetic Leather Upholstery (Standard) / Genuine Leather Upholstery and Nappa Leather Upholstery (Optional)

Power & Performance

The Highlander’s available 2.4-liter turbocharged engine produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, giving you confident acceleration and a smooth ride through traffic, tight turns, or weekend getaways. It pairs perfectly with an 8-speed automatic transmission and offers available all-wheel drive for added grip during South Florida’s sudden rainstorms or uneven roads.

The Telluride’s 3.8-liter V6 offers a bit more horsepower on paper at 291 horsepower, but its lower torque (262 lb-ft) can make it feel less punchy off the line – especially when fully loaded. Both SUVs tow up to 5,000 pounds, but the Highlander’s responsive turbo and road manners make it the more comfortable choice for everyday driving.

2025 Toyota Highlander	2025 Kia Telluride
Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 Pounds Base Engine: Turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Horsepower: 265 horsepower Torque: 310 lb-ft of torque Transmission: Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission	Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 Pounds Base Engine: 3.8-liter V6 Horsepower: 291 horsepower Torque: 262 lb-ft of torque Transmission: Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission

Tech & Entertainment

Whether you’re syncing your favorite playlist or navigating across Miami-Dade, the Highlander’s standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ make it easy. An available 11-speaker JBL® audio system delivers crisp sound throughout all three rows, and multiple USB-C ports ensure no phone gets left behind.

The Telluride also offers a sleek interface and large display, but smartphone integration is still wired on some trims, and it includes fewer charging ports overall. If you’ve got teens in the back seat – or just a full tech-loving household – the Highlander makes connectivity easier across the board.

Infotainment Screen Options: 8-inch Touchscreen (Standard), 7-inch digital instrument display (Standard) / 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Display (Optional), 12.3-inch Touchscreen (Optional) Audio System Options: Six-Speaker Stereo (Standard) / 11-speaker JBL® Premium stereo system (Optional) Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ (Standard) Five USB Ports (Standard)

Infotainment Screen Options: 12.3-inch Touchscreen (Standard), 12.3-inch Digital Gauge Cluster (Available) Audio System Options: Six-Speaker Stereo (Standard) / 10-Speaker Harman Kardon Stereo (Available) Wired Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ (Standard) Five USB Ports (Standard)

Safety Features

Toyota puts safety at the top of the priority list. Every 2025 Highlander includes Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+, which means you get features like Pre-Collision with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control – all standard.

The Telluride comes equipped with Kia’s Drive Wise safety package, offering many similar features. But Toyota’s driver assistance systems feel more refined and integrated for daily use, especially in stop-and-go traffic or changing conditions.

Forward Collision Warning Forward Automatic Emergency Braking Pedestrian Detection Adaptive Cruise Control Lane-Departure Warning Lane-Keep Assist Lane-Trace Assist Blind-Spot Monitoring Traffic-Sign Recognition Automatic High-Beam Headlights Rearview Camera Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

Forward Automatic Emergency Braking Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection Automatic High-Beam Headlights Blind-Spot Monitoring Rearview Camera Lane-Departure Warning Forward Collision Warning Lane-Keep Assist Rear Cross-Traffic Alert Driver-Attention Monitoring Traffic-Sign Recognition Highway Driving Assist Rear Parking Sensors Rear-Seat Alert

Headquarter Toyota’s Bottom Line

When it comes to everyday value, the 2025 Toyota Highlander stands out. It’s efficient, roomy, packed with tech, and backed by Toyota’s strong reputation for reliability. The Telluride looks the part, but if you're looking for a three-row SUV that works hard, drives smooth, and stays smart, the Highlander is the SUV that delivers.

Visit Headquarter Toyota in Hialeah, FL to take the 2025 Highlander for a spin. Whether you're running errands in Miami Lakes or planning your next Keys getaway, the Highlander is ready to roll.

*Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.