2024 Kia Telluride vs 2024 Toyota 4Runner

In 2024, the Kia Telluride was available in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The rugged X-Line treatment could be added to all but the LX and S, while the X-Pro package was reserved for the top two trims. The X-Line package featured standard all-wheel drive (AWD) with a center locking differential, nearly half an inch more ground clearance (8.4 inches instead of eight), improved approach and departure angles, distinctive grille and 20-inch wheel designs, and roof rails. The X-Pro package added 18-inch matte-black wheels with all-terrain tires and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing the maximum towing capacity by 500 pounds to 5,500 pounds.

The Telluride's exterior managed to turn heads with its fundamentally attractive forms and proportions, despite some controversial styling updates the previous year. The Wolf Gray paint combined with blacked-out X-Line styling enhanced its impressive look, including the grille surround and bumper details that used to be gray.

Inside, the test model featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, offering a variety of appealing cabin colors like Mahogany brown, Terracotta brown, light gray over black or dark blue, and Sage Green. These complemented the simulated open-pore wood trim and helped disguise the shiny plastic in the interior's lower sections. Despite this plastic being a drawback, the SX Prestige trim felt almost luxurious with its soft leather, artificial suede headliner, 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel, metallic accents, and thoughtful details.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner maintained its sturdy and somewhat dated look, having last been redesigned for the 2010 model year. Its boxy shape and flared fenders conveyed a sense of stability essential for off-road adventures. The grille and liftgate featured chunky, beveled shapes, and the TRD Pro model added underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, giving it a serious, rugged demeanor. A beefy tubular roof rack hinted at its readiness for challenging terrains.

However, the 4Runner's interior reflected its age with old-school styling and last-generation technology. The analog instrument panel and the small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen appeared outdated. Commonly used controls were clunky but practical, while sturdy handles assured passengers during off-road explorations. The cabin was spacious, with plenty of storage solutions and comfort features, though the third-row seat availability was limited to specific trims.

The Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, routed to either the front or all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Most Tellurides could tow up to 5,000 pounds, but with the X-Pro package, this capacity increased to 5,500 pounds, thanks to heavy-duty engine cooling.

The Telluride excelled in its driving experience, with smooth acceleration to freeway speed and ample passing power. It offered four driving modes—Comfort, Sport, Smart, and an additional Snow mode for AWD models. Despite its capabilities, fuel economy was a downside, with AWD versions achieving 20 mpg in combined driving, and real-world testing showing even lower figures.

The Telluride’s ride dynamics were praiseworthy, combining firmness at lower speeds with softness and compliance at higher velocities. The SUV was agile in curves and responsive to steering, although the ride quality varied based on speed and road conditions.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-liter V6 engine generating 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The TRD Pro model came with standard four-wheel drive (4WD) and a two-speed transfer case, while most other trims offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) with optional 4WD.

The 4Runner felt sluggish on pavement, often requiring the pedal to be floored for highway merging. Its soft suspension was beneficial for off-road conditions but resulted in noticeable body roll and rear-end squat during acceleration. The engine noise was a detractor, making the driving experience less than pleasant.

However, the 4Runner excelled off-road, with terrain controls and advanced traction features making it a capable crawler. On harsh terrains, it remained composed and controllable but failed to match the smoothness and efficiency of its newer rivals.

The Telluride’s cabin was spacious and comfortable, especially in higher trim levels with premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row seat was adult-friendly, and a dual sunroof added light to the dark interior.

Controls were user-friendly, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, although some buttons were hard to read in bright sunlight. Thoughtful details like a changing digital instrumentation panel, generous storage spaces, and a hands-free power liftgate enhanced convenience.

Cargo capacity was robust, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46 cu-ft with the seats down and a maximum of 87 cu-ft. Roof rails on the X-Line and X-Pro trims offered additional storage solutions.

The 4Runner’s interior felt dated but functional, with large climate-control dials and protruding levers that were easy to operate. Visibility was excellent, aided by the forward-placed roof pillars.

The cabin offered plenty of room for passengers, though the elevated rear bench could limit headroom for taller occupants. Ample storage solutions included small dashboard pockets, cupholders, a large armrest bin, and deep door pockets.

Cargo space was generous at 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the seats stowed. Unfortunately, stowing the seats required manual effort, unlike the automated systems in some rivals. The 4Runner lacked a powered liftgate but featured a sliding rear window for easy access.

The Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. Various Kia Connect packages offered features ranging from remote engine start to over-the-air updates.

Additional thoughtful tech included a blue-light filter for the infotainment display, Quiet Mode, driver’s voice amplification, a digital key function, a camera-based rearview mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system for comprehensive views.

The 4Runner’s infotainment system offered basic functionality with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on an eight-inch touchscreen. The TRD Pro model included a 15-speaker JBL audio system, though engine and road noise often overshadowed its clarity.

Terrain controls in the headliner console lacked intuitive labeling, necessitating a thorough read of the owner’s manual. Features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select were beneficial off-road, but the system's usability and infotainment offerings lagged behind modern competitors.

Standard safety features in the Telluride included a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies. Available upgrades added front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assist, lane-change assist, and automatic rear braking. Highway Driving Assist 2.0 included automatic lane changing, but its performance varied based on driving conditions.

The Telluride earned a five-star overall crash test rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, ensuring top-tier safety credentials.

The 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, and three stars in rollover evaluations. IIHS also returned some worrying "Marginal" and "Poor" results for small overlap frontal tests.

Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The TRD Pro and Limited trims came with a surround-view camera system, though only the Limited had front and rear parking sensors.