For most families cross-shopping hybrid three-row SUVs, the Telluride Hybrid’s standard powertrain outguns the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s base engine (329 hp vs 245 hp) with no upcharge, backs it with Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty (double Toyota’s 5-year/60,000-mile) plus Warranty Forever, and offers hands-free-ready Highway Driving Assist 2 on SX and up — tech Toyota only approaches with a Platinum-only, subscription-gated Traffic Jam Assist. The Grand Highlander Hybrid answers back with a lower starting price and the optional Hybrid Max’s extra power and towing, so it’s a genuine cross-shop. See live Telluride Hybrid inventory.

It depends on configuration. Standard-for-standard, the Telluride Hybrid’s 329 hp / 339 lb-ft handily beats the Grand Highlander Hybrid’s base 245-hp engine. Step up to the optional Hybrid Max (available on Limited, standard on Platinum), and the Grand Highlander takes the top spot at 362 hp / 400 lb-ft — but that upgrade costs extra and drops fuel economy to about 27 MPG combined, versus the Telluride Hybrid’s 35 MPG standard across its entire lineup.

Only with the Hybrid Max upgrade. The standard Grand Highlander Hybrid tows up to 3,500 lb — 1,000 lb less than the Telluride Hybrid’s 4,500 lb. The optional Hybrid Max powertrain does beat the Telluride Hybrid, at up to 5,000 lb, but it requires stepping up to a Limited-with-option or Platinum trim and accepting the MPG trade-off above.

No — Toyota’s Grand Highlander Hybrid LE actually starts lower, around $46,205 (destination included), versus the Telluride Hybrid EX’s $46,490 (destination excluded). Where the Telluride Hybrid pulls ahead is what’s standard for that money: 329 hp and an EPA-estimated 35 MPG on every trim, versus 245 hp on Toyota’s base hybrid engine.

Kia’s is significantly longer: 10 years / 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage and 5 years / 60,000 miles limited, vs Toyota’s 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain and 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (Toyota’s hybrid battery alone carries a separate 10-year/150,000-mile warranty). Every new Telluride Hybrid at Dean McCrary Kia also includes Warranty Forever.

The Grand Highlander Hybrid has real strengths: a lower starting price, Toyota’s long-standing hybrid reliability reputation (an 82/100 J.D. Power predicted-reliability score), an available Hybrid Max powertrain with more peak power and towing, and up to 97.5 cubic feet of max cargo. If starting price or Toyota’s hybrid track record matters most, it’s worth a look. For standard power, efficiency, hands-free-ready tech, and warranty, the Telluride Hybrid leads.

Dean McCrary Kia at 1733 E I-65 Service Rd S in Mobile stocks the full Telluride Hybrid lineup — convenient to Daphne, Spanish Fort, Saraland, Fairhope, and the Gulf Coast. Come drive one and see the difference in person.