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The 2022 Kia Telluride and 2022 Toyota Highlander are two of the best three-row midsized SUVs that you can buy. Consumer Reports ranks them as number one and number two out of 14 SUVs. In the showdown between the 2022 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Toyota Highlander only one can win, and this time it’s the Telluride. What makes this Kia SUV such a great choice?

A slate gray 2022 Kia Telluride parked in the woods.
2022 Kia Telluride | Kia

Which SUV is better, the 2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Kia Telluride?

According to Consumer Reports, the 2022 Kia Telluride is the better three-row SUV. It is ranked number one thanks to its excellent overall score of 97. The 2022 Toyota HIghlander also gets a great overall score of 88, but that’s far from good enough to compete with the Telluride.

The Telluride’s road test score is one of the factors that makes it so great. It scores a 97 with mostly 4s and 5s (out of 5) for the components of the road test. The biggest problem areas in the 2022 Telluride have to do with its fuel economy and greenhouse gas, which is hardly unique to the Telluride in this size SUV class.

While both the Telluride and Highlander get medicore 3/5 ratings for routine handling, the Telluride gets a 4/5 to the Highlander’s 3/5 for emergency handling. It’s also quieter, scoring a 5/5 for noise to the Highlander’s 4/5.

Which is more reliable, the Toyota Highlander or Kia Telluride?

Both the 2022 Toyota Highlander and 2022 Kia Telluride score a 5/5 for predicted reliability. In addition, both the 2020 and 2021 Toyota Highlanders also get perfect 5/5 reliability ratings. So do the 2020 and 2021 Kia Telluride.

The predicted owner satisfaction rating for the 2022 Kia Telluride is slightly higher than that of the 2022 Toyota Highlander, however. It has a perfect rating while the Highlander gets a (still respectable) 4/5. Telluride owners historically have been very happy with the driving experience, comfort, and styling of their SUVs. Even value gets a 57/100, which is pretty good and enough for first place.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander’s 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction rating shows that while Highlander owners tend to be satisfied with the driving experience and comfort of their SUVs, their happiness with the styling is a little lower than the Telluride’s. In addition, the value score for the Highlander is a 48/100. Overall, the Highlander ranks fourth in predicted owner satisfaction out of 2022 midsize SUVs.

How much does the 2022 Kia Telluride cost?

The 2022 Kia Telluride price starts at $32,790 for the base model LX. The 2022 Kia Telluride LX has a 3.8-liter V6 engine that makes 291-hp and can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The LX can also seat up to eight passengers and has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a push-button as well as remote start. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. `12

The 2022 Toyota Highlander price starts at $36,420 for the base model L. The 2022 Toyota Highlander L comes with 18-inch wheels, LED lights, and heated mirrors. It also has keyless entry and ignition, an 8-inch infotainment system, and a six-speaker sound system. In addition, the Highlander is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and has a WiFi hot spot.

The 2022 Kia Telluride really is the best three-row SUV that you can buy right now. That doesn’t mean that the 2022 Toyota Highlander is a total loss, though. It’s also a great SUV. When you look at the Kia Telluride vs the Toyota Highlander though, you’ll see that the Telluride has more space and nicer finishings than the Highlander. It’s also more reliable. While you can’t go wrong with either SUV, the Telluride is definitely the better choice.

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