Other than Palisade, is this the next real competitor?

[2020Telly]

Not sure if others have heard, Toyota has announced a new "Grand Highlander" with better third row seating and some articles are considering it a better competitor to the Telluride and Palisade. I have not seen if it will only be 7 seat with captain chair 2nd row or if it will also have a 8 seater option, but it will have to be less expensive and smaller in size to the Sequoia.

The little that I've read of the Grand Highlander is that it will be longer than the current Highlander to give more leg room in that 3rd row. But the current Highlander is 2 inches shorter than the Telluride, so if they add more length beyond the Telluride they will be making it a larger vehicle to get improved leg room and possible more cargo. I wonder why Toyota is doing this rather than just coming out with a bigger Highlander. Depending on the price, I'm assuming this could be the model that actually does compete against the Telluride especially if they offer alternative engine choices that buyers might be interested in. I'm sure Kia is taking notice if the mid-sized SUV king of the hill is making this change to be just a little larger.

 

[PittPa]

Another good topic. As I have said before, I kind of "fell" into Kia Telluride ownership. I was driving a 2017 BMW 340i Msport that had all the practicality of my 2 door 911. We were using my wife's Q5 for most of our "bigger" needs but that car isn't really that big. Once my old 2007 MDX was starting to fail for my kids and ended up being traded in of a 2022 Sportage for my daughter in grad school, I needed a bigger vehicle. I briefly looked at Tellurides for my wife, but saw how, even in 12/2019, the order wait for these was too long. When one showed up on a JEEP Dealers site that the buyer ordered and then decided he didn't like it (too "car" like), I jumped on it and here I am. After driving it for a year and half and putting 25k on it, I am trying desperately to find a suitable replacement and failing. The way they were able to fit 6-7 adults in this car is not a thing to take lightly. Other options for cars: A slightly bigger X5? I don't really like the X7 or even the Q7 looks wise. I've owned Toyotas, (4Runner, Sequoia, Landcruisers) . They seem to sacrifice reliability and quality with styling that is 5-10 years behind. I don't think I will go back to a sedan anytime soon, I would think with the success of the Telluride, there should be plenty of imitators coming once the car manufactures can work things out.

 

[byscott]

I could be nuts, but I’m expecting that the strongest price/performance competitor to the Telluride will be Mazda’s next CX-9. The current iteration is too small and somewhat underpowered. I’d guess that the next generation will be more powerful and on a larger platform.

My wife has a CX-5 Signature Edition. When she got it I was pleasantly surprised by the level of fit and finish; I think they pretty much benchmarked against the Audi Q5. The turbo four is maybe a bit rougher than I’d like, but overall it’s a pretty nice package for the money.

 

[Point37]

will depend on pricing, cargo space, features, options, etc...but i'm sure it will be top notch...there is a reason all the terrorists like the toyota land cuiser and the hilux...they just run

...very interested in the new cx9 as well...

i would like to see some of these larger suvs as a hybrid...i think my next vehicle once my legacy dies is going to be a hybrid...i'd go plug in hybrid but they cost a good deal more than the regular hybrids...maybe the federal tax credits would make it worth it?...haven't really looked into it...would really like some type of hybrid wagon so i have more cargo space...basically a hybrid outback would be nice if they end up making one...if not i'll probably go for a hybrid camry

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[2020Telly]

I'm not seeing a Mazda CX-9 (even bigger) as being able to compete with a Telluride for a few reasons. The current CX-9's third row is a part-time or child third-row more similar to the Sorento and the rear cargo in the CX-9 leaves a lot to be desired because of that curved back. Mazda would have to make their mid-sized SUV (the largest in their lineup) significantly bigger and possibly change the kodo design look that Mazda fans seem to love. Mazda's biggest engine would have to be paired up with an HEV option that as far as I can tell Mazda is not announcing any plans for. The 2.5L Skyactiv might be find for the current CX-9 but they need a lot more power to be able to remain fuel efficient and to fit some batteries and a hybrid option the vehicle itself would need to get a lot bigger. Lastly, production numbers don't see to be close to the Telluride or Sorento. US car sales analysis 2021 - Midsized SUVs - carsalesbase.com So I can't see Mazda scaling their production plants to export more to just the US market very quickly.

I would have said the the Jeep Grand Cherokee L would have been an option to compete except there is no 8-seater and to get 7 you lose the captains chairs. The exterior appeal of the Telluride is definitely a big factor, but the magic happens when you sit in the 3rd row and realize Kia somehow made the inside feel like a bigger mid-sized SUV while keeping the exterior a mid-sized. And the rear cargo is still pretty functional! I think at some point in this forum there was discussion of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer as a competitor to an SX, and I have to say, while it looks nice, I parked my Telluride next to one the other day and it was insane how huge the JGW was. Size and price make it most definitely a different class of SUV.

Which brings me back to the Grand Highlander. Being the top dog right now in mid-sized (more than 6 passenger) SUVs, it really seems to be the biggest threat to the Telluride. And I'm willing to bet that Toyota will have no problem bringing a hybrid option to the US.

 

[Husker Soze]

According to the latest Motortrend report, the Subaru Ascent has topped the KT on the 3-row SUV category.

https://www.motortrend.com/style/suv/

 

[2020Telly]

According to the latest Motortrend report, the Subaru Ascent has topped the KT on the 3-row SUV category.

https://www.motortrend.com/style/suv/

I ruled it out because I didn't want/need AWD and I wasn't looking for a Turbo. I didn't want to be forced to pay the added cost for features I didn't want and the potential future maintenance headaches. The Subaru Ascent sits in the top 10 least reliable for the Consumer Reports with less of a warranty than the Kia it made me nervous for major expenses as the vehicle ages. They do have a decent 3rd row though.

The closest vehicles I found to compare to the Telluride specs were: Palisade, Highlander, Pilot, new Pathfinder, Ascent and Traverse. Grand Highlander might make it even stiffer competition if they don't extend the exterior dimensions too much making it harder to fit in most garages.

 

[smokey_mountain]

I test drove Telluride, Palisade, Ascent (all AWD) in one weekend. I drove Highlander 2 weeks prior. Telluride was pre-owned but Palisade, Highlander and Ascent were brand new. Unfortunately Subaru's engine is strained on a highway, Palisade vibrated roughly at 65-75 MPH, Telluride was competent, comfortable and plain to drive. Kia did hit all the right targets. Highlander, I do not even want to mention it, the car was so noisy (wind, tire), it even whistled at 55+ MPH, you have to raise your voice to talk to you partner when at highway speed.

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[YEH]

I could be nuts, but I’m expecting that the strongest price/performance competitor to the Telluride will be Mazda’s next CX-9. The current iteration is too small and somewhat underpowered. I’d guess that the next generation will be more powerful and on a larger platform.

The CX-9 is actually a good bit larger/longer than the Telluride, but due to its packaging, has a tight 3rd row.

CX-9 - 199.8"

Telluride - 196.9"

Unless it grows a bit in size, don't think the next CX-9 will improve in that regard due to the switch to RWD.

The next CX-9 should also get an appreciable price hike where it's most direct competitor would be something like the MDX.


Palisade - 196.1"

Highlander - 194.9"

The Highlander is only about an inch shorter in length than the Palisade.

Expect the next gen Telluride to grow when it switches to the new platform, as well as getting a hybrid option (the Carnival, already on the new platform, is getting a hybrid variant).

 

[Sevi]

I would still take the Telluride over the current Palisade because it looks better, but obviously I am a little bias since I already got one.
That might change with the release of the 23 Palisade, will see..