2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Kia Telluride had a transformative design that aimed to erase Kia's past reputation for cheap adequacy. It appeared more expensive than it was, though the Kia badge somewhat detracted from its upscale look. The Telluride's design was a blend of boxy and fluid elements, reminiscent of a big Chevy and a new Volvo. Its upright, rectilinear front, wide-spaced vertical headlights, and silver mesh grille gave it a distinctive presence. The interior was equally impressive, with features like twin grab handles, wide air vents, and an ultra-wide touchscreen that mimicked the look of a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Despite some lower-quality materials, the Telluride's interior was inviting and classy, with a solid feel to the doors and a surprisingly luxurious appearance for its price.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460's styling was a product of its long time on the market, retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago with a few updates. The GX featured Lexus' trademark spindle grille and new triple-beam LED headlights, but no significant styling changes for the 2021 model. The GX's tough, aggressive look was distinctive, but its interior felt dated. The wood trim looked and felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic. While the GX offered standard leather upholstery, the overall interior quality did not meet modern luxury SUV standards.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered both FWD and AWD options, with AWD available for an additional $2,000. The Telluride's performance was adequate, though the transmission response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent. Despite this, the Telluride could move its two-and-a-quarter tons quickly when the power arrived. Braking was strong, but the steering was slow, and there was noticeable body lean. The ride quality was smooth, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. Off-roaders appreciated the axle-lock feature and snow mode, while the towing capacity matched the Honda Pilot at 5,000 pounds. Fuel economy was EPA-estimated at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine with 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was reminiscent of an older generation of SUVs, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The GX's 5,130 pounds made higher-speed maneuvers challenging, and braking required advanced planning. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking the refinement of modern unibody SUVs. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and several driver aids. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, and multi-view camera system. The GX had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and third-tier EX seated eight, while the second-tier S offered eight as an option. The top SX seated seven with reclining captain's chairs in the second row, which could be heated and cooled. The Telluride's cabin was spacious, with generous legroom in the second row and a tolerable third row for adults. Cargo capacity was 21 cubic feet with all seats raised and 87 cubic feet with them flat. The interior featured analog gauges, buttons, knobs, and a regular PRNDL shifter, complemented by two displays. The EX and SX models had a 10.3-inch screen, while the SX also had a 7-inch screen for the instrument panel.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics felt dated, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel was positioned at an odd angle, and the tall seating position felt bus-like. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, but the third row was best reserved for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote car location and unlocking via an app. Upper trims with navigation had fast and accurate voice inputs, live traffic, and weather updates. The SX trim featured a live feed of blind spots on the instrument cluster, Highway Driving Assist, and a quiet mode for the stereo. The SX also had dual moonroofs and a Harman Kardon surround stereo. However, the Telluride lacked onboard WiFi.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. The GX included analog controls for most functions, which were easier to use than touchscreen-based controls. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available.

The 2020 Kia Telluride had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing, but it was expected to receive top scores. It came standard with a comprehensive suite of active driver assists, including forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Safe Exit Assist prevented passengers from opening the rear doors if an approaching vehicle was detected. Optional features included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors.

The 2021 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.