When shopping for a family-friendly SUV around Fort Smith, Van Buren, Greenwood, or the River Valley, two popular options often top the list: the Kia Telluride and the Toyota Highlander. Both SUVs offer three-row seating, strong safety features, and dependable performance. The 2027 Kia Telluride and 2026 Toyota Highlander both build on their positive reputations this year, with lots of exciting updates coming to the Telluride in particular.
Here at Crain Kia of Fort Smith, we’ve taken a close look at how these two SUVs stack up so you can make a confident decision before your next test drive.
Vehicle Comparison
2027 Kia Telluride
- Available 1st & 2nd-row Relaxation Seats
- Enhanced capability w/ Telluride X-Pro
- Available outboard heated seats in all 3
2026 Toyota Highlander
- High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass on front side windows
- Digital rearview mirror with HomeLink® * universal garage door opener
- Two 120V outlets (1500W shared)
Interior Space & Comfort
The 2027 Telluride has grown in size compared to previous generations, offering increased headroom, more rear-seat legroom, and thoughtful cabin upgrades that enhance comfort on long drives. Dual 12.3-inch screens, premium materials, and available second-row seats for relaxing bring a luxury feel.
The Highlander also offers a well-appointed interior with quality materials and a family-friendly layout. Still, its third-row seating is generally tighter and better suited for kids or shorter trips than for regular adult use.
Edge: Kia Telluride for more spacious seating and passenger comfort.
Safety & Driver Assistance
Safety is a priority for both SUVs. The Telluride comes with a suite of standard driver-assist systems including forward collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more, while the Highlander brings Toyota Safety Sense features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and automatic emergency braking across its trims.
Both deliver strong everyday safety coverage, though the Telluride enhances driver confidence with some advanced visibility and monitoring tech in certain trims.
Edge: Tie — both are well-equipped for family safety.
Technology & Connectivity
Both SUVs offer modern tech like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, large touchscreens, and multiple USB charging ports. The Telluride’s wide standard screen and available premium audio systems provide a tech-savvy experience, while the Highlander’s suite includes wireless smartphone mirroring and Toyota’s multimedia featuring optional large screens.
Where they differ is in standard content versus trim-level upgrades: the Telluride includes more high-tech features from the base trim, while the Highlander offers higher-end tech only in the upper-level trims.
Edge: Kia Telluride — advanced tech comes standard.
Performance & Capability
The 2027 Kia Telluride debuts a redesigned powertrain lineup that includes a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing about 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive. A new hybrid variant also joins the lineup with roughly 329 horsepower and an estimated 35 mpg combined and a long driving range.
On the other side, the 2026 Toyota Highlander is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, also paired with an eight-speed automatic and making all-wheel drive standard across the lineup.
Edge: Kia Telluride for stronger options overall and a compelling hybrid powertrain.
Ownership Value & Warranty
One great advantage for Kia is its class-leading warranty, including 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage and generous roadside assistance. Toyota’s warranty is also competitive but shorter, with a typical 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Edge: Kia Telluride — for superior long-term coverage and ownership peace of mind.
Final Verdict for Fort Smith Drivers
If you’re looking for a family SUV that blends powerful performance, rugged capability, spacious comfort, and value, the 2027 Kia Telluride stands out — especially if you plan to use all three rows regularly, enjoy outdoor adventures, or want strong tech and warranty coverage without paying more for options.
The 2026 Toyota Highlander is a capable, comfortable SUV with a smooth ride and solid everyday usability, but it doesn’t quite match the Telluride’s combination of performance, space, and overall value.
See the 2027 Kia Telluride at Crain Kia of Fort Smith
Experience the new Telluride for yourself when it arrives! Stay tuned for updates and visit Crain Kia of Fort Smith to explore our lineup, take a test drive, or learn about our flexible financing options.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.