See How the 2027 Kia Telluride Changes the Game
Powerful, three-row SUVs are in a league of their own for folks who want a large, spacious vehicle for a growing family. After skipping the 2026 model year, the Telluride is back with an all-new, incredibly upgraded version that shows how well Kia understands what drivers want. Looking at the all-new Telluride compared to another popular model, like the 2026 Toyota Highlander, makes it abundantly clear why so many people are interested in a new Kia Telluride for sale these days. Let’s check out how these two vehicles stack up, and you’ll see that the Telluride changes everything we’ve come to expect from these kinds of SUVs.
Power and Performance on Another Level
Although we find performance important with any kind of vehicle, it’s especially vital when you’re looking at large and powerful models. These are both three-row SUVs, so you want to see impressive engines designed to ensure you have a great time behind the wheel each day. With the all-new 2027 Telluride, Kia gives you two incredible engines to choose from. While the 2026 Highlander also offers two engines, there are some big differences between them. Let’s see what kind of performance they each offer:
2027 Kia Telluride
- 2.5L Turbocharged I-4: 274 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque
- 2.5L Hybrid Engine: 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque
2026 Toyota Highlander
- 2.4L Turbocharged I-4: 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque
- 2.5L Hybrid Engine: 243 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque
Looking at the standard engines, the Kia Telluride has a clear advantage in terms of power, although things aren’t too crazy. Where the Telluride steps up its game is with the available hybrid engine, which provides 86 more horsepower than Toyota’s hybrid. Toyota doesn’t advertise the Highlander hybrid’s torque figures, but the spec sheet lists it as just 175 lb-ft, compared to the 339 lb-ft of torque the Telluride produces. Toyota’s figure may be for the gas engine alone, which would explain why it’s so much lower, but even that isn’t much for an engine of this size. The electric motor would add to it, but likely not enough to make up the 164 lb-ft difference. This can directly affect your daily driving experience, and makes the Telluride a fantastic choice.
Enjoy Your Choice of Drive Type
A great daily drive is about more than just the power that your car’s engine puts out, although that’s certainly a huge part of it. You want something that provides excellent handling to keep you in control, terrific suspension for added comfort, and robust braking power so you can stop as quickly as you need to. The Kia Telluride comes through beautifully in this regard, with independent front and rear suspensions, up to 5,000 lbs of towing capacity, and a tight turning diameter of less than 40 feet even though it’s a large, three-row SUV.
Where we find the Telluride really takes the lead, however, is that it offers you the choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). That might seem like a given, but it’s actually not. The 2026 Highlander is only available with AWD, which can be great for certain driving conditions, but it means you have no other option. Kia lets you choose the driving experience you prefer. FWD is easier to handle in the city and typically offers better fuel economy, while AWD provides excellent traction on dirt and gravel roads and when the weather gets messy. With both options available, Kia lets you get just what you want.
Tremendous Interior Features
As important as other factors are, most of your time is spent inside your vehicle. The 2027 Telluride has a gorgeous interior with an incredible range of standard features, plus more options to upgrade your daily drive. The starting LX model comes with a gorgeous 12.3-inch infotainment display with navigation, a 4.2-inch instrument screen, and a separate five-inch climate display for controlling interior comfort. You also get an eight-speaker sound system, a dual wireless phone charger, and tri-zone automatic climate control, all standard in the 2027 Telluride.
There are also numerous upgrades if you’re interested in the features of a higher trim. The SX Prestige, for example, comes with a larger 12.3-inch instrument display that’s easy to read at a glance, along with a 12-inch head-up display that projects important information into your line of sight. You also get a stunning 14-speaker Meridian Premium sound system in the SX Prestige, along with a 10-way power driver’s seat and an eight-way power front-passenger seat. It has heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, with comfortable SynTex and SynTex Suede seating that you’ll just about melt into.
By comparison, the 2026 Toyota Highlander starts with an eight-inch infotainment display that’s far smaller than what Kia gives you, with a 12.3-inch screen available in higher trims. There’s an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, but you won’t find features like the climate display or a 12-inch head-up display in the Highlander. Toyota provides a single wireless charging pad, and there’s a nice 11-speaker JBL sound system available, but it can’t compete with what Kia offers. Ultimately, there’s some good stuff here, but nothing that can truly keep up with what you can get in the 2027 Telluride.
The Telluride also beats the Highlander in cargo space, offering 22.3 cu.ft. behind the third row, and 89.3 cu.ft. with the second- and third-row seats folded down. The Toyota Highlander comes up short in this area, with only 16 cu.ft. behind the third row and 84.3 cu.ft. of total cargo volume with the seats down. No matter how you slice it, Kia gives you more room to utilize.
Industry-Leading Warranty Coverage
No one wants to think about things going wrong, but there’s no denying that sometimes life can get messy and problems come up. When you have an issue with your vehicle, especially if you buy a new model, you want to know that the manufacturer has your back. That’s where the warranty comes into play, but not all warranties are the same in the auto industry. Kia is proving that by providing incredible coverage on their vehicles, including a 60-month/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty on the Telluride.
In contrast, Toyota provides a 36-month/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain warranty on the 2026 Highlander. This is a pretty standard warranty with decent coverage that gets the job done, even if it’s not remarkable. Looking at other car companies, those numbers are pretty consistent with what you’ll find. That is, until you get to Kia, whose warranty coverage is dramatically different from other manufacturers. The Telluride has full-vehicle coverage for as long as only the powertrain on the Highlander is covered, and nearly double the powertrain warranty protection. As you drive and enjoy the 2027 Telluride each day, you know that Kia has you covered if anything goes wrong.
Ready to Upgrade Your Daily Drive?
It’s clear that Kia has cooked up something truly special with the 2027 Telluride, and we understand why they took the 2026 model year off to make sure it returned at its best. The Telluride is better than ever and offers an incredible range of options, including two engines, two drive types, seven- or eight-passenger seating, and ten trims (plus five for the hybrid powertrain) to consider. The result is an incredible range of options designed to meet just about any need, although things can get a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’re here at Cable Dahmer Kia to show you everything the 2027 Telluride has to offer and make sure you get an SUV that you’ll love driving today, tomorrow, and for many years to come.
2026 Kia Sportage vs 2026 Toyota RAV4
In the bustling suburbs of Independence, a small, value-driven SUV is the ideal vehicle. The Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 are two of the most popular compact SUVs for life in Missouri, as each offers a mix of practical performance and versatility. As such, many drivers find themselves debating whether to find a Kia Sportage for sale near Independence or a RAV4.
Read the rest of this entry »2026 Kia Sorento Trim Level Guide
The Kia Sorento has long been a favorite for families who need three-row versatility without the massive footprint of a full-size SUV. For 2026, the Sorento continues to lead the pack by offering a trim level for every lifestyle, from the tech-savvy commuter to the weekend trailblazer. With a refreshed interior featuring a new steering wheel design and enhanced tech across the board, the 2026 Sorento is more refined than ever.
Read the rest of this entry »Your Guide to the 2026 Kia Sorento
With its well-earned reputation for affordability, value, and style, the Kia Sorento has made a mark in the modern three-row SUV segment. The 2026 model is perfect for everything, whether it’s getting the kids to school or going on a cross-country trip. Finding a Kia Sorento for sale near Olathe lets you get the most for your money and take advantage of the manufacturer’s industry-leading warranty.
Read the rest of this entry »Verified Trust: Cable Dahmer Kia of Lee’s Summit Named CARFAX 2025 Top-Rated Lifetime Dealer
At Cable Dahmer Kia of Lee’s Summit, we are obsessed with providing the best customer experience in the state. We are thrilled to share that this dedication has been recognized with the CARFAX 2025 Top-Rated Lifetime Dealer award. This honor is only given to dealerships that have maintained top-tier star ratings from verified customers over a multi-year period.
What makes this award special is that it is driven by you. CARFAX uses feedback from verified consumers to identify the most trusted dealerships in the country. By consistently averaging 4.6 stars or higher, we have demonstrated that Lee’s Summit drivers can count on us for honesty and transparency. This “Lifetime” status is our promise that we will never stop striving for excellence.
From our new Kia lineup to our vast used car selection, every vehicle comes with the transparency that a Top-Rated dealer provides. We want to thank our loyal customers for their feedback and for trusting us with their business. Visit us in Lee’s Summit today and see why our verified reviews have made us a national leader in customer satisfaction.
There are few categories as hotly contested as the compact crossover. These smaller SUVs offer a compelling combination of performance, utility, and comfort and have quickly become the most popular segment in today’s market, with a 21% market share. The Kia Sportage has been around since 1995, but has steadily evolved into one of the industry’s most enticing compact options.
Read the rest of this entry »Your Buyer’s Guide to the Exciting 2026 Kia Seltos
Overland Park drivers looking for a great way to get to work or school will love the 2026 Kia Seltos. This subcompact SUV delivers exceptional value in a great little package. The key is giving you a vehicle that is safe, dependable, and fun to drive, at a very affordable price. In fact, when you find a 2026 Kia Seltos for sale near Overland Park, you are going to notice that it is even more competitively priced than last year’s model. This is because the 2026 Seltos starts at an MSRP of $23,690, a full thousand dollars less than the 2025 Seltos.[a] This is Kia’s way of helping Overland Park drivers contend with the rising cost of living.
Read the rest of this entry »
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How Does the 2026 Kia Sorento Compare to Other SUVs?
The 2026 Kia Sorento continues to build upon its reputation as a leading midsize SUV, offering upgrades in performance, technology, and versatility. Here’s how the 2026 Kia Sorento compares to competitors like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Highlander for drivers in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Kia Interior and Technology
Inside, the 2026 Kia Sorento impresses with twin 12.3-inch digital displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment center, supplying a modern, unified cockpit layout. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make connecting and using your smartphone seamless. Compared to the Santa Fe and Highlander, the Sorento’s infotainment system is lauded for its responsive, user-friendly interface and larger display real estate.
Cargo and Passenger Space
Flexibility defines the Sorento’s interior. With seating for up to seven and an available third row, the Sorento easily accommodates growing families and active lifestyles. Cargo capacity is generous, and smart storage solutions maximize usable space for gear and groceries alike. Both the Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Highlander offer third-row seating, but the Sorento stands out with its thoughtful interior design and more comfortable passenger accommodations.
Safety Features
Safety is at the forefront of the 2026 Sorento’s design. The entire line-up comes standard with the latest Kia Drive Wise driver-assistance suite, which includes:
- Adaptive cruise control (with updated machine learning for smoother traffic adaptation)
- Forward collision-avoidance assist (now enhanced with cyclist and intersection detection)
- Lane keeping and lane following assist
- Highway Driving Assist 2, featuring automatic lane changes and enhanced highway driving support
These technologies offer drivers an extra layer of safety, surpassing many standard safety features found in the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Highlander.
Performance
The 2026 Kia Sorento provides a selection of advanced powertrains, including a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an available turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that delivers robust horsepower. The turbocharged powertrain stands out for providing a more dynamic and engaging driving experience than the base engines of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Highlander. Enhanced traction is available with the Sorento’s all-wheel-drive system, featuring torque vectoring and a locking center differential for improved handling in challenging conditions.
Experience the 2026 Kia Sorento at Cable Dahmer Kia in Lee’s Summit
Visit Cable Dahmer Kia in Lee’s Summit to test drive the new Sorento and explore available trims and options tailored for your needs.
Did The Kia K4 Replace The Kia Forte
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, so does Kia’s lineup. The introduction of the Kia K4 has sparked interest among compact sedan enthusiasts, particularly regarding its relationship to the well-established Kia Forte. At Cable Dahmer Kia in Lee’s Summit, we’re here to clarify the transition and highlight what this means for Kansas City area drivers.
Kia K4: The Next Generation
The Kia K4 is set to replace the Forte in select markets. This new model builds upon the Forte’s success, featuring:
- Enhanced exterior design
- Advanced technology integration
- Improved performance capabilities
- Upgraded interior comfort and space
While the K4 signifies progress, it maintains the core values that made the Forte popular: efficiency, affordability, and reliability.
What This Means for Kansas City Kia Shoppers
For those in Lee’s Summit, Kansas City, Blue Springs, Overland Park, and Independence seeking a new Kia, the K4 offers an exciting option. It provides the familiar benefits of the Forte with additional modern amenities and design elements.
Lineup at Cable Dahmer Kia
As your local Kia dealership at Cable Dahmer Kia in Lee’s Summit, we invite you to explore our comprehensive inventory, including both the Kia K4 and pre-owned Kia Fortes:
- Extensive selection of new Kia models
- Knowledgeable staff to assist with comparisons
- Competitive pricing and financing options
- Convenient location serving the greater Kansas City area
Visit Cable Dahmer Kia Today
Whether you’re interested in the new Kia K4 or the tried-and-true Forte, our team is ready to help you find the perfect vehicle. Located just a short drive from Kansas City, Blue Springs, Overland Park, and Independence, Cable Dahmer Kia in Lee’s Summit is your destination for all things Kia.
Contact us to schedule a test drive or visit our showroom to experience the latest in Kia innovation.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.