Families shopping at Kia of Groton in Groton, CT are usually not looking for just another three-row SUV, they want one that makes long drives and busy weekends feel easier. That is why the 2027 Kia Telluride and 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander are such a useful matchup. Both are roomy and modern. But they do not bring the same personality to the road, and that difference shows up pretty quick.
2027 Kia Telluride vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: Which 3-Row SUV Owns the Weekend Getaway?
Quick Comparison
| Category | 2027 Kia Telluride | 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | Up to 8 passengers | Up to 8 passengers |
| Space point | Class-leading 2nd-row legroom | Large third-row windows and roomy cabin |
| Towing | Up to 4,500 lbs. on hybrid models | Available towing varies by powertrain |
| Tech feel | Feature-rich, upscale cabin | Big-screen, family-friendly layout |
Space and comfort for the long haul
The 2027 Telluride offers up to eight-passenger seating and Kia highlights class-leading second-row legroom, which matters when the second row is carrying teens, adults, or a child seat plus gear. Toyota's Grand Highlander is also built around family comfort, with large third-row windows and an airy layout that gives it a very open feel. The Grand Highlander may feel slightly more focused on all-out cabin volume, while the Telluride feels more polished inside, which buyers notice fast.
Features and everyday usability
The Telluride has always done well when buyers want a lot of equipment without stepping into a luxury brand, and the 2027 model keeps that formula going. Kia highlights up to 29 available driver assistance and collision avoidance features, while higher trims add premium touches that make school runs and weekend travel feel less ordinary. Toyota counters with a flexible cabin and the kind of straight-forward usability that makes the Grand Highlander easy to live with. Neither one is lacking, but the Telluride feels like the SUV trying harder to impress you, and thats not a small advantage.
Powertrain direction and road-trip mindset
The 2027 Telluride also brings something new with its available turbo-hybrid powertrain, rated by Kia at 329 horsepower, 339 lb-ft of torque, and up to 637 miles of total range on certain versions. Toyota gives Grand Highlander shoppers multiple powertrain paths too, including hybrid choices. Still, Kia's numbers make the Telluride feel especially road-trip ready. If your plan includes I-95 drives and New England weekend escapes, that broader range and towing confidence may matter more than people think.
Which one owns the weekend getaway?
If you want a three-row SUV that feels upscale, loaded, and ready for long family drives, the 2027 Kia Telluride is incredibly compelling. If your priority is a spacious cabin with Toyota familiarity and a practical family-first layout, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is still a strong pick. For many shoppers around Groton, Mystic, and coastal Connecticut, the Telluride may be the one that feels like the better getaway vehicle because it blends comfort, feature content, and confidence in a way that is hard to ignore. It just feels more special, and that matters.
- Choose Telluride for premium feel, stronger feature punch, and hybrid powertrain excitement.
- Choose Grand Highlander for a roomy family layout and classic Toyota practicality.
- Drive both if second-row comfort and long-trip ease will decide it.