What is the best year for a Kia Telluride?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Kia Telluride's strongest year is 2025 — 95 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 3 severe issues. 2023 also rate well. Recent years show fewer complaints partly because they have spent less time on the road. The weakest years by those same measures are 2020 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2025 is the strongest pick.

How much does Kia Telluride insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Kia Telluride averages $2,695 a year, about $225 a month (industry average). That is more than the three-row segment average of $2,396. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $573 a year on the Kia Telluride versus $573 on the Hyundai Palisade. Reliability scores are 7.0/10 and 7.0/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.37 versus 0.37 times per year. Verdict: the Kia Telluride is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Telluride?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 13%, so roughly 87 in 100 owners will not face one — in line with the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 7.0/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Is the Toyota Highlander expensive to maintain?

The Toyota Highlander averages $489 a year in maintenance. That is $84 below the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.33 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 8/10. Verdict: cheaper than average to keep on the road.

What is the best year for a Toyota Highlander?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Toyota Highlander's strongest year is 2025 — 9 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 2 severe issues. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015 also rate well. Recent years show fewer complaints partly because they have spent less time on the road. The weakest years by those same measures are 2013, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2025 is the strongest pick.

How much does Toyota Highlander insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Toyota Highlander averages $2,401 a year, about $200 a month (industry average). That is more than the three-row segment average of $2,396. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $489 a year on the Toyota Highlander versus $542 on the Honda Pilot. Reliability scores are 8/10 and 7.0/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.33 versus 0.51 times per year. Verdict: the Toyota Highlander is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Toyota Highlander?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 13%, so roughly 87 in 100 owners will not face one — in line with the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 8/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Kia Telluride vs Toyota Highlander

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Kia Telluride if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Toyota Highlander — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Kia Telluride	Toyota Highlander
Annual repairs	$573	$489winner
5-year repair cost	$2,865	$2,445winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$19,824	$11,956winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	13%
Cargo space	89.3 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$40,700winner	$46,500

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Kia Telluride	Toyota Highlander
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	309.7	137.1winner
Strongest years	2023, 2025	2010, 2011, 2012
Weakest years	2020	2013, 2016, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	79.6%	83.6%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	53.9%	63.7%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	40.7%	51.5%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Kia Telluride	Toyota Highlander
Engine	19.3%winner	27.1%
Electrical	8.8%	8.2%winner
ADAS	7.9%	7.7%winner
Brakes	2.0%winner	8.6%
Suspension	3.1%	—winner
Steering	—winner	5.6%
Fuel system	—winner	5.4%
Tires/Wheels	—winner	3.2%
Glass/Windows	20.6%	5.4%winner
Airbags	—winner	5.6%
Lighting	9.6%	—winner
Seatbelt	1.4%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Kia Telluride	Toyota Highlander
Avg annual premium	$2,695	$2,401winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Kia Telluride

$573/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Toyota Highlander

$489/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Kia Telluride averages $573 a year in maintenance. That is in line with the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.37 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 7.0/10. Verdict: cheaper than average to keep on the road.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →