Toyota Sienna vs Kia Telluride

The 2025 Kia Telluride presented a sophisticated and stylish appearance, with five core trim levels ranging from the base LX to the luxurious SX Prestige. Prices varied from $36,390 to $51,390, excluding a $1,415 destination charge. The X-Line package, available on all but the LX and S trims, added features like AWD, increased ground clearance, and a distinctive blacked-out look, with prices starting at $46,485. The X-Pro trim further enhanced the Telluride's capabilities with all-terrain tires and increased towing capacity. Our test model, the SX Prestige X-Pro, boasted a comprehensive suite of features, including a luxurious Terracotta Nappa leather interior and a striking Midnight Lake Blue exterior, bringing the total cost to $56,240. Despite some criticisms of the blacked-out treatment, the Telluride maintained a unique and upscale presence in a crowded SUV market.

Inside, the Telluride's cabin offered a luxurious experience with its black-over-Terracotta color scheme, simulated wood trim, and metallic accents. The dual-screen display on the dashboard added a modern touch, although some controls were difficult to read in daylight. The interior's quality was generally high, though some lower cabin plastics revealed cost-cutting measures. Overall, the Telluride's design and features made it a standout choice for those seeking a stylish and well-equipped SUV.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna, available in six trim levels, ranged in price from $42,915 to $60,305, including a $1,595 destination charge. Our test vehicle, the Woodland Edition, featured a Cypress green exterior, which suited its outdoorsy theme. However, despite its name, the Woodland Edition lacked rugged features, with only a subtle suspension lift and standard all-season tires. The interior, exclusively black, felt dark and uninviting, with an abundance of cheap plastic materials. The shifter and glove compartment door were particularly disappointing in terms of quality. Despite these drawbacks, the Sienna's driving experience was more akin to a crossover SUV than a traditional minivan, offering a smooth ride and impressive stability in corners.

The Sienna's hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motors, delivered 245 horsepower. While adequate for urban driving, it struggled with highway passing and mountain climbs. The EPA rated the AWD Sienna at 35 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded lower results, especially in challenging conditions. The Woodland Edition's off-road capabilities were limited, with only a slight increase in ground clearance and standard all-season tires. Overall, the Sienna's performance was underwhelming, lacking the liveliness of competitors like the Honda Odyssey.

The 2025 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on most trims, while AWD was available or standard on others. The Telluride offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart, with AWD models adding a Snow mode. Despite some competitors switching to turbocharged four-cylinders, the Telluride's V6 provided smooth and ample power, achieving 20.2 mpg over a 1,200-mile road trip, aligning with its EPA rating. The X-Pro package, with its all-terrain tires, enhanced off-road capabilities but sacrificed some on-road grip. The Telluride's suspension and tires excelled on rough roads, providing a comfortable ride. However, brake pedal behavior in traffic was occasionally problematic, with delayed response and unexpected force.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a nickel-metal hydride battery, and electric motors, producing 245 horsepower. The Woodland Edition and Platinum trims came with standard e-AWD, while other trims offered optional AWD. The Sienna's powertrain was suitable for city driving but lacked power for highway passing and mountain climbs. The EPA rated the AWD Sienna at 35 mpg combined, but real-world testing showed lower fuel efficiency, especially in challenging conditions. The Woodland Edition's off-road capabilities were limited, with only a slight increase in ground clearance and standard all-season tires. The Sienna's driving experience was uninspiring, with a soft and uncommunicative feel, though it provided a smooth ride and stable handling in corners. Brake pedal feel was a notable issue, requiring excessive force for effective stopping.

The 2025 Kia Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with features like heated and ventilated second-row seats, USB-C charging ports, and dedicated smartphone storage sleeves. The driver's seat offered a lumbar massage function, enhancing long-distance comfort. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample space and comfort, while the third-row seat was reasonably comfortable for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 87 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Telluride's interior was well-equipped and spacious, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna prioritized practicality, with features like a four-zone climate control system and power sliding doors. However, the Woodland Edition lacked ventilated front seats, and the all-black interior felt dark and claustrophobic. The super-long-slide second-row captain's chairs were comfortable but limited third-row space when fully extended. The third-row seat offered decent leg support but felt cramped due to small rear windows. Cargo space was ample, with 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 101 cubic feet with seats folded. However, the second-row seats were not removable, limiting maximum cargo capacity compared to competitors.

The 2025 Kia Telluride featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 10-inch head-up display. The system included features like a Blind Spot View Monitor and a blue light filter for reduced eye strain. However, the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback, and the voice recognition system was basic. Despite these limitations, the Harman Kardon audio system provided excellent sound quality, and the SiriusXM satellite radio was reliable in most locations.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna offered a 12.3-inch digital driver display and touchscreen infotainment system, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included multiple connected service plans and options like wireless smartphone charging and a JBL premium sound system. However, the daytime illumination mode made the display difficult to read, and the voice recognition system occasionally struggled with specific requests. Despite these issues, the Sienna's infotainment system was generally well-equipped and user-friendly.

The 2025 Kia Telluride came with a comprehensive suite of safety features under the Drive Wise branding, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist system provided semi-autonomous highway driving, though the lane-centering assist was occasionally problematic. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, ensuring peace of mind for drivers.

The 2026 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. However, it lacked some predictive technologies found in newer Toyota models. The Sienna's safety ratings were mixed, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but lower scores in specific tests. It did not qualify for a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, highlighting areas for improvement.