2021 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Kia Telluride presented itself as a modern and stylish SUV, available in four trim levels with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The price for this model ranged from an MSRP of $32,190 to $42,490, excluding destination charges. Many customers were drawn to the top-tier Telluride SX trim because of its Prestige option package. This package transformed the vehicle into a luxury SUV at a more accessible price point, including premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display (HUD), and heated and ventilated second-row seats.

New for 2021, the Nightfall Edition package gave the Telluride a popular blacked-out look, with 20-inch aluminum wheels in a specific gloss black design and a unique grille insert. The test vehicle sporting this package, alongside AWD, the Prestige package, the Towing package, and other accessories, had a total sticker price of $50,180, including a $1,170 destination charge. The exterior styling was lauded for its near-perfect proportions and clean lines, while the interior earned praise for its contemporary design and quality, marred only by some glossy hard plastic on the lower parts of the interior.

Conversely, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 showcased a design that held onto its roots from a decade prior, with only a few updates over the years. The GX retained its basic body shell but featured the signature spindle grille since 2014, updated again in 2020 with a new texture. The 2021 version introduced standard silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim and optional 19-inch wheels. Despite the minor updates, the GX's tough and distinctive look was coherent and appealing to SUV enthusiasts.

The interior, however, felt dated and lacking in modern luxury standards. The Premium test car’s wood trim felt more like molded plastic, and there was plenty of actual plastic as well. Yet, it did offer standard leather upholstery and semi-aniline leather on the top Luxury trim. The dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel's odd angle contributed to the bus-like driving feel. Despite these drawbacks, the dashboard layout provided excellent outward visibility, particularly useful in parking and off-road scenarios.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came equipped with a robust 3.8-liter V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. The SUV featured Kia’s Drive Mode Select, offering Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes to adapt to various conditions. The optional AWD system included a low-speed Lock function that split power evenly between the axles, enhancing traction, especially combined with its eight inches of ground clearance.

During initial media tests in Colorado, the Telluride proved its capability by handling a mix of snow, rain, and muddy trails. In a more controlled suburban environment near Los Angeles, it demonstrated remarkable ride and handling dynamics, nearly eliminating the head-toss effect often present in taller SUVs. The suspension tuning, including a self-leveling rear suspension in the EX and SX trims, ensured a firm, connected ride, which softened smoothly at higher speeds, providing a compliant driving experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 relied on a 4.6-liter V8 engine, generating 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The V8 offered robust initial acceleration, taking 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph according to Lexus, but the SUV's considerable 5,130-pound weight became more apparent at higher speeds. Merging and overtaking required careful planning, and decelerating similarly demanded attention, characteristic of older, body-on-frame constructions. This traditional SUV setup resulted in significant body roll and low grip in corners, with a ride quality reflecting its body-on-frame design challenges.

Despite these on-road limitations, the GX excelled in off-road capabilities with a Torsen center differential and driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. Its 8.1-inch ground clearance and off-road-focused options like the Off-Road Package, with features such as Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, made it a capable off-road vehicle.

The 2021 Kia Telluride impressed with its comfort and utility. The SX's driver seat offered 14-way adjustments, including power lumbar support, providing excellent driving ergonomics akin to a Range Rover. Both front seats featured heating and ventilation, while the Prestige package added Nappa leather upholstery, enhancing the luxurious feel. The second-row captain’s chairs, with heating and ventilation options, and an overhead climate control panel, offered additional comfort for rear passengers.

The Telluride excelled in cargo space, offering 21 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, 46 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with the second-row captain’s chairs also folded. The “smart” hands-free power liftgate was a convenient feature for loading and unloading cargo.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s interior design, while functional, reflected its age. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel's odd position created a less than ideal driving position. However, the dashboard layout did offer good outward visibility, helpful in parking and off-road situations.

The GX's interior storage solutions were limited, with small center console bins, cupholders, and door bottle holders. The three-row seating was standard, with the power-folding third row available on higher trims. However, the third row was cramped and best suited for children. In terms of cargo space, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet with the second and third-row seats folded, significantly less than the Telluride. The third row's presence virtually eliminated the cargo area when in use, making it suitable for occasional use only.

Every 2021 Kia Telluride came equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Base trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch display with navigation. Kia’s UVO Link Lite provided connected services free for five years, with additional subscription plans offering remote features and vehicle alerts. Upper trims included wireless smartphone charging and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Innovative features like Driver Talk and Quiet Mode enhanced passenger comfort and communication.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 was minimalistic in tech offerings. It included standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant but lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics reminiscent of older technology and limited functionality. Physical buttons and knobs were a practical alternative to touchscreen controls but highlighted the vehicle’s dated design.

The 2021 Kia Telluride offered an extensive suite of standard safety features under the Drive Wise collection. This included lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. EX and SX trims added Highway Drive Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. SX trims benefitted from additional features like front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though its rating was at risk due to Poor-rated headlights.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, it lacked advanced features like traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist available in other Lexus models. No crash-test ratings from the NHTSA or IIHS were available for the GX.