Kia Telluride vs Toyota Grand Highlander: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

They cost about the same

Within $616: too close to call. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Telluride EX$1,494/moTrue cost

Grand Highlander XLE$1,485/moTrue cost

2025 Kia Telluride

Closest matching trim: Telluride EX

Sticker (MSRP)$50,995

+$9,996→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$60,991

+ running costs→↓− $22,403 resale

True cost$1,494/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Closest matching trim: Grand Highlander XLE

Sticker (MSRP)$52,135

+$10,261→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$62,396

+ running costs→↓− $25,842 resale

True cost$1,485/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $50,995	$52,135	Telluride by $1,140
Freight and fees, before tax	✓ $2,980	$3,083	Telluride by $103
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $7,017	$7,178	Telluride by $161
Drive-away price	✓ $60,991	$62,396	Telluride by $1,405
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$19,586	✓ $16,740	Grand Highlander by $2,846
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $17,355	$19,400	Telluride by $2,045
Maintenance (estimate)	✓ $7,662	$9,314	Telluride by $1,652
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $11,776	$12,071	Telluride by $295
Lost return on your money	✓ $12,503	$12,774	Telluride by $271
Resale after 6 yrs	−$22,403	✓ −$25,842	Grand Highlander by $3,439
Total
True cost	$107,560	✓ $106,944	Grand Highlander by $616
True cost a month	$1,494/mo	✓ $1,485/mo	Grand Highlander by $9
You pay each month	✓ $1,562/mo	$1,597/mo	Telluride by $35
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	8	8	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	8+	8+	—
Towing, lb	5,000	5,000	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	1,304	✓ 1,640	—
Length	5.00 m	5.11 m	—
Ground clearance	20 cm	20 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	44%	✓ 50%	—
US crash test	Not rated yet	✓ 5★	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Telluride EX ✓ $50,995Grand Highlander XLE $52,135Cheaper by Telluride by $1,140

Freight and fees, before tax

Telluride EX ✓ $2,980Grand Highlander XLE $3,083Cheaper by Telluride by $103

Sales tax (HST)

Telluride EX ✓ $7,017Grand Highlander XLE $7,178Cheaper by Telluride by $161

Drive-away price

Telluride EX ✓ $60,991Grand Highlander XLE $62,396Cheaper by Telluride by $1,405

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Telluride EX $19,586Grand Highlander XLE ✓ $16,740Cheaper by Grand Highlander by $2,846

Insurance (estimate)

Telluride EX ✓ $17,355Grand Highlander XLE $19,400Cheaper by Telluride by $2,045

Maintenance (estimate)

Telluride EX ✓ $7,662Grand Highlander XLE $9,314Cheaper by Telluride by $1,652

Loan rate

Telluride EX 6.5%Grand Highlander XLE 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Telluride EX ✓ $11,776Grand Highlander XLE $12,071Cheaper by Telluride by $295

Lost return on your money

Telluride EX ✓ $12,503Grand Highlander XLE $12,774Cheaper by Telluride by $271

Resale after 6 yrs

Telluride EX −$22,403Grand Highlander XLE ✓ −$25,842Cheaper by Grand Highlander by $3,439

Total

True cost

Telluride EX $107,560Grand Highlander XLE ✓ $106,944Cheaper by Grand Highlander by $616

True cost a month

Telluride EX $1,494/moGrand Highlander XLE ✓ $1,485/moCheaper by Grand Highlander by $9

You pay each month

Telluride EX ✓ $1,562/moGrand Highlander XLE $1,597/moCheaper by Telluride by $35

Practical

Fuel type

Telluride EX GasGrand Highlander XLE GasCheaper by —

Seats

Telluride EX 8Grand Highlander XLE 8Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Telluride EX 8+Grand Highlander XLE 8+Cheaper by —

Towing, lb

Telluride EX 5,000Grand Highlander XLE 5,000Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Telluride EX 1,304Grand Highlander XLE ✓ 1,640Cheaper by —

Length

Telluride EX 5.00 mGrand Highlander XLE 5.11 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Telluride EX 20 cmGrand Highlander XLE 20 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Telluride EX 44%Grand Highlander XLE ✓ 50%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Telluride EX Not rated yetGrand Highlander XLE ✓ 5★Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale for both is typical for their type and brand (unless you lease). Their stickers differ by $1,140.