Kia Telluride vs Toyota Highlander: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Toyota Highlander costs about $3,274 less

That's $45 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Telluride EX$1,494/moTrue cost

Highlander XLE AWD✓ $1,448/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 Highlander

Closest matching trim: Highlander XLE AWD

Sticker (MSRP)$51,535

+$10,183→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$61,718

+ running costs→↓− $28,198 resale

True cost$1,448/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $50,995	$51,535	Telluride by $540
Freight and fees, before tax	✓ $2,980	$3,083	Telluride by $103
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $7,017	$7,100	Telluride by $83
Drive-away price	✓ $60,991	$61,718	Telluride by $727
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$19,586	✓ $16,573	Highlander by $3,013
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $17,355	$20,258	Telluride by $2,903
Maintenance (estimate)	✓ $7,662	$9,273	Telluride by $1,611
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $11,776	$11,929	Telluride by $153
Lost return on your money	✓ $12,503	$12,643	Telluride by $140
Resale after 6 yrs	−$22,403	✓ −$28,198	Highlander by $5,795
Total
True cost	$107,560	✓ $104,287	Highlander by $3,273
True cost a month	$1,494/mo	✓ $1,448/mo	Highlander by $46
You pay each month	✓ $1,562/mo	$1,595/mo	Telluride by $33
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	Not published	—
Length	5.00 m	4.95 m	—
Ground clearance	20 cm	20 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	44%	✓ 55%	—
US crash test	Not rated yet	✓ 5★	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Telluride EX ✓ $50,995Highlander XLE AWD $51,535Cheaper by Telluride by $540

Freight and fees, before tax

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

Sales tax (HST)

Telluride EX ✓ $7,017Highlander XLE AWD $7,100Cheaper by Telluride by $83

Drive-away price

Telluride EX ✓ $60,991Highlander XLE AWD $61,718Cheaper by Telluride by $727

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Telluride EX $19,586Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $16,573Cheaper by Highlander by $3,013

Insurance (estimate)

Telluride EX ✓ $17,355Highlander XLE AWD $20,258Cheaper by Telluride by $2,903

Maintenance (estimate)

Telluride EX ✓ $7,662Highlander XLE AWD $9,273Cheaper by Telluride by $1,611

Loan rate

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

Loan interest

Telluride EX ✓ $11,776Highlander XLE AWD $11,929Cheaper by Telluride by $153

Lost return on your money

Telluride EX ✓ $12,503Highlander XLE AWD $12,643Cheaper by Telluride by $140

Resale after 6 yrs

Telluride EX −$22,403Highlander XLE AWD ✓ −$28,198Cheaper by Highlander by $5,795

Total

True cost

Telluride EX $107,560Highlander XLE AWD ✓ $104,287Cheaper by Highlander by $3,273

True cost a month

Telluride EX $1,494/moHighlander XLE AWD ✓ $1,448/moCheaper by Highlander by $46

You pay each month

Telluride EX ✓ $1,562/moHighlander XLE AWD $1,595/moCheaper by Telluride by $33

Practical

Fuel type

Telluride EX GasHighlander XLE AWD GasCheaper by —

Seats

Telluride EX 8Highlander XLE AWD 8Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

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

Towing, lb

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

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Telluride EX 1,304Highlander XLE AWD Not publishedCheaper by —

Length

Telluride EX 5.00 mHighlander XLE AWD 4.95 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Telluride EX 20 cmHighlander XLE AWD 20 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Telluride EX 44%Highlander XLE AWD ✓ 55%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Telluride EX Not rated yetHighlander XLE AWD ✓ 5★Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Telluride typical for its type and brand, the Highlander from its own. Their stickers differ by $540.