2023 Lexus RX vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2022 Kia Telluride boasted a muscular design with balanced proportions, complemented by trendy blacked-out wheels and trim. Kia made only minor changes to the grille pattern and added new badges for 2022, maintaining the SUV's handsome appearance. The Telluride was available in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, with prices ranging from $32,790 to $44,590, plus a destination charge. The interior was well-organized and attractive, though the glossy plastic on the lower half of the cabin detracted from the overall upscale feel, especially in the SX Prestige trim with its Nappa leather upholstery and simulated suede headliner.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX featured a shorter height, broader width, and longer wheelbase while maintaining the same overall length as its predecessor. The reduction in rear overhang and softer design lines made it appear smaller. The front showcased a spindle-style grille integrated into the design, with a modern mesh texture and elevated hood. The RX's interior was thoroughly modern, with fewer buttons and knobs, digital instrumentation, and a touchscreen display. Quality levels were high, with NuLuxe artificial leather as standard and genuine leather available. The RX 350 was available in Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, and F Sport Handling trims.

The 2022 Kia Telluride was powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and AWD was available with a Lock mode for even power distribution. The Telluride offered a smooth ride with a brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system and selectable driving modes. It achieved an EPA fuel economy estimate of 21 mpg in combined driving, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 350 Luxury trim displayed occasional torque steer and excess body motion over uneven pavement, while the F Sport Handling trim felt more secure with its adaptive damping suspension. The RX 350 AWD accelerated to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, with an expected fuel economy of 24 mpg in combined driving. Our testing results were slightly lower, at 21.8 mpg.

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, and USB ports in all three rows. The Telluride offered dual-zone automatic climate control for front-seat occupants and single-zone for the rear. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. The Telluride provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 87 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 offered comfortable seating, with the F Sport Handling package providing sport seat bolsters for better support. The RX 350 Luxury trim featured semi-aniline premium leather upholstery, ten-way power-adjustable front seats, and a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel. The RX 350 F Sport Handling trim had black NuLuxe simulated leather seats and Dark Graphite trim. The back seat was roomy and supportive, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. The RX provided 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Kia Telluride came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including navigation and voice recognition technology. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. Kia Connect offered a range of connected services, including emergency assistance, remote engine start, and smart speaker integration. The Telluride also featured Quiet Mode and Driver Talk functions, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system.

The 2023 Lexus RX introduced the Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, satellite radio, and various connected services plans. Drive Connect offered Intelligent Assistant natural voice recognition, user profiles, and streaming apps. The RX also featured a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, digital instrumentation, Digital Latch door handles, a digital rearview mirror, and a color head-up display.

The 2022 Kia Telluride included numerous standard driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies under Kia Drive Wise. These features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS.

The 2023 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve speed-reduction. New semi-autonomous driving technologies included Proactive Driving Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and Advanced Park Assist. LSS+ 3.0 proved impressive but had some flaws, such as unmarked adaptive cruise controls and non-predictive curve-speed reduction.