2021 Lexus RX vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased a modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. Inside, it featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, though the center console design was considered bland and dated. Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid, each catering to different preferences, from base models to performance-focused and extended body versions. The 2021 model retained the elongated headlights and refined front-end design introduced in 2020, aiming to address previous criticisms. Standard exterior features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. The F Sport Appearance package added sporty elements such as unique wheels, black mirrors, and performance dampers. Inside, even the base RX 350 model offered a well-appointed interior with features like NuLuxe-trimmed seats, power-adjustable front seats, and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Higher trims and packages added luxury touches like semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and driver’s seat memory settings. However, the center console design and infotainment system were seen as functional but outdated.

The 2022 Kia Telluride impressed with its muscular design and balanced proportions, featuring trendy blacked-out wheels and trim. For 2022, Kia made minor changes to the grille pattern and introduced new badges. The Telluride was available in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, with pricing ranging from $32,790 to $44,590, plus a destination charge. The SX trim with AWD and the SX Prestige Package brought the total to $48,325. The interior of the Telluride was praised for its upscale design and logical control layout, though the glossy plastic in the lower half of the cabin was seen as cheap, especially in the SX Prestige with its Nappa leather upholstery and simulated suede headliner. For 2022, Kia added numerous standard features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, automatic climate control, Highway Driving Assist, and Smart Cruise Control-Curve. The S trim gained a standard wireless smartphone charger. Despite the glossy plastic, the Telluride’s interior was considered well-appointed and functional, with thoughtful details like overhead air vents, rear smartphone storage pouches, and USB ports in the front seatbacks.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid models combined a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, producing 308 horsepower managed by an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). The front-wheel-drive RX 350 was the most fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive and RXL models had slightly lower fuel economy. The RX Hybrid achieved 29-31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The RX’s suspension and handling were improved for 2020, making it more dynamic, though some body roll was noted at higher speeds. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension and other sporty features. The RX was limited to 124 mph and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.7-7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain. The RX Hybrid matched the 0-60 mph time but had a lower top speed of 112 mph.

The 2022 Kia Telluride featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride offered AWD with a Lock mode for even power distribution and had eight inches of ground clearance. It performed well in snow and muddy conditions, though limited wheel articulation suggested sticking to less challenging paths. The Telluride’s brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system and selectable driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport) contributed to its good handling. The SX trim’s 20-inch wheels and 245/50 tires provided good grip, and the ride quality was smooth with minimal roll in corners. On the open road, the Telluride cruised effortlessly, aided by Highway Driving Assist technology. The Telluride matched its EPA fuel economy estimate of 21 mpg combined, with the SX AWD returning 21.1 mpg. The front-wheel-drive version achieved 23 mpg. The Telluride’s towing capacity was 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Lexus RX was a functional SUV with seating for five in the two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h models, and six or seven in the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid. Front-seat occupants enjoyed ample space, and the second row was comfortable for adults. The third row in the RXL models was tight for any age. The RX’s cargo space was limited compared to traditional SUVs, with 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row versions offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2022 Kia Telluride balanced form and function with an upscale, organized interior. Thoughtful details included overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, rear smartphone storage pouches, USB ports in the front seatbacks, and accessible rear cupholders. Dual-zone automatic climate control served front-seat occupants, while a single-zone panel served the rear. The Telluride offered SynTex simulated leather in LX and S trims, with real leather in EX and SX trims. The SX Prestige package added Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. The Telluride’s interior felt premium, with features like heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, dual sunroof panels, and a Smart Power Liftgate. All three rows were comfortable for adults, though the third row was less preferred. The Telluride provided ample storage space, with 21 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with both rows folded. The flat load floor made it easy to haul large items.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Available upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, a panoramic roof, wireless charging, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The touch aspect of the infotainment screen worked well, but the operating system was not user-friendly. The Remote Touch controller allowed drivers to navigate the screen without touching it, but it took up valuable console space. Steering-wheel controls were easy to use. The RX did not offer wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

For 2022, Kia made the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard, including navigation with voice recognition. This change eliminated wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a wire for these features. The Telluride had USB charging ports in all three rows, with airline-style ports in the front seatbacks. A wireless smartphone charging pad was standard in all trims except LX. Kia Connect provided connected services, including emergency assistance, safe teen driving alerts, remote engine start, and home-to-car smart speaker integration. The system also alerted drivers if rear occupant sensors detected movement. The Telluride had a Quiet Mode to play music only through the front speakers and a Driver Talk function to broadcast the driver’s voice to the rear seats. The SX trim featured a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, scoring Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The RXL and RXL Hybrid were not tested by IIHS. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, and road sign assist. The RX lacked hands-off piloting technology found in some competitors. There were two complete sets of LATCH connectors in the rear outboard seats.

The 2022 Kia Telluride included numerous standard driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies under Kia Drive Wise. These included forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction. Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Telluride also had Smart Cruise Control-Curve, which used GPS data to slow the vehicle for upcoming curves, though this feature could be irritating. Safe Exit Assist warned occupants of approaching vehicles or cyclists. The SX trim featured Blind-Spot View Monitor technology, showing camera-based imagery in the instrumentation display. The NHTSA gave the Telluride a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS awarded the Telluride its Top Safety Pick designation, missing the Top Safety Pick+ due to headlight ratings.