2022 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Kia Telluride was a striking midsize SUV that captivated consumers with its muscular design and balanced proportions. Kia maintained its successful formula by making only minor changes to the grille pattern and updating the badges. The Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with controls arranged logically, although the glossy plastic in the lower cabin detracted from its otherwise upscale appearance. Despite this, the Telluride offered numerous new standard features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, and advanced driving aids, making it a well-rounded choice for buyers.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX continued to impress with its modern and sporty design, featuring sharp character lines and angular features that gave it an aggressive stance among its competitors. The RX offered a variety of trims, including the performance-oriented F Sport, which added sporty elements like 20-inch wheels and unique front fascia. Inside, the RX maintained its luxury appeal with a range of color combinations and high-quality materials, although the center stack felt somewhat dated. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives.

The 2022 Kia Telluride was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided satisfying acceleration and a smooth ride, with the option of all-wheel drive for enhanced traction. The Telluride offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. It achieved an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving with AWD, making it a practical choice for long-distance travel. The Telluride's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, adding to its versatility.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with electric motors for a total of 308 horsepower. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with lackluster acceleration and a less engaging driving experience. The F Sport trim added performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the differences between drive modes were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and quietness, with an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined for the RX 350 and 30 mpg for the RX 450h, making it a fuel-efficient option.

The 2022 Kia Telluride offered a spacious and functional interior, with thoughtful details like overhead air vents, rear smartphone storage pouches, and USB ports in all three rows. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner, elevating the cabin's luxury feel. The Telluride provided ample space for passengers and cargo, with 21 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Its practical design made it an excellent choice for families and those needing versatile storage options.

The 2022 Lexus RX provided a comfortable cabin with 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the two-row model, accommodating four adults comfortably. The three-row L models offered limited space, with only 7.45 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a dedicated smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holders. However, the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high load-in height made loading cargo more challenging. Despite these limitations, the RX's interior was well-appointed and offered a range of luxury features.

The 2022 Kia Telluride came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including navigation and voice recognition technology. While the system required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it offered a range of connected services through Kia Connect. Features like Quiet Mode and Driver Talk enhanced the family-friendly nature of the Telluride. The SX trim added a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a surround-view monitoring system, providing a comprehensive suite of technology for drivers and passengers.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite the 2020 refresh, the screen's positioning remained ergonomically unfriendly, and the touchpad controller was frustrating to use. The RX included a range of tech features, such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start and vehicle settings customization. While the RX's infotainment system had its drawbacks, it still provided a robust set of features for tech-savvy drivers.

The 2022 Kia Telluride was equipped with Kia Drive Wise, a suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Telluride also featured Highway Driving Assist and Smart Cruise Control-Curve, although the latter was found to be irritating. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS, making it a safe choice for families.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS when equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the top-tier "plus" designation due to headlight ratings. The RX received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with strong side crash test results but lower scores in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.