2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Lexus GX

During our time with the 2023 Kia Telluride, we experienced the new X-Line and X-Pro models, which showcased fresh updates to the SUV's overall design. All Tellurides now sport revamped front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. New paint colors available included Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, while interior colors were updated to Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green.

The X-Line model replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a unique grille design, raised roof rails, body-color door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro went a step further with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its mildly aggressive off-road appearance.

Inside, Kia’s updates were subtler but significant. The biggest change was the available digital instrumentation panel next to the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed under a curved 24-inch piece of glass. This setup provided a futuristic touch to the Telluride’s interior. Additionally, the SUV featured new colors, minor trim changes, an updated steering wheel design, and a more functional center console. The X-Line and X-Pro models had embossed trim names on the front seatbacks, adding a premium feel.

Kia offered the Telluride in various trims, with prices ranging from $35,690 for the LX with front-wheel drive to $52,785 for the SX Prestige X-Pro with all-wheel drive.

The 2023 Lexus GX, with its huge spindle grille, boasted an imposing visual presence. This SUV had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and an overall height of 74.2 inches, giving it a formidable stance. Its front end, framed by massive headlights, seemed ready to tackle any road ahead.

The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to just 3,000 units, and featured paint colors like Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and Nori Green Pearl. Walking down the GX, its dimensions appeared to shrink with a relatively short 109.8-inch wheelbase and minimal front and rear overhangs. Despite the GX's luxury badge, it was clearly built for tackling obstacles with ease.

Further enhancing its rugged look, the GX featured big, flared fenders, yet maintained a sleeker aesthetic compared to other blocky designs. Inside, the interior, though luxurious, carried a disappointing amount of plastic, a letdown considering its price tag. Customers found heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery, showcasing some luxury touches despite the high presence of plastic.

Mechanically, the 2023 Kia Telluride carried forward the same robust setup. It had a 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers had the flexibility to switch between Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with an AWD system that featured a low-speed Lock setting for equal power distribution between front and rear wheels.

During our test of the Telluride X-Line, it averaged 24.1 mpg, primarily in Comfort mode for highways and Sport for twisty roads. The X-Pro returned a lower efficiency of 20.4 mpg, due to half an hour of off-roading in Lock mode. Official EPA ratings anticipated 21 mpg in combined driving for the AWD model.

Kia upped the suspension by 10mm for the X-Line and X-Pro, providing 8.4 inches of ground clearance. This improved the SUV’s approach and departure angles and modified its traction control system for off-road use. Kia also added a Downhill Brake Control system, useful even if it felt initially unsettling.

The Telluride X-Pro, optimized for off-road, featured all-terrain tires, 18-inch wheels, and enhanced cooling for a bumped-up towing capacity from 5,000 to 5,500 pounds. Off-roading on a ranch in Texas, the Telluride showcased its capabilities well, like AWD Lock mode, ground clearance, wheel articulation, and Downhill Brake Control.

On the open road, the Telluride offered a smooth, connected ride, barring slight wind noise at highway speeds. The all-terrain tires made it feel a bit softer in turns, and Sport mode overly firmed up the steering. Despite that, the Telluride proved delightful to drive.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine. Unlike a 4Runner’s V6, the GX 460's V8 had a swelling roar and plenty of low-end power. Its 4.6-liter V8, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission, didn’t outperform on paper against some modern engines but offered a satisfying, linear power delivery.

Though capable with a 6,500-pound towing capacity, the GX trailed behind other SUVs, and its V8 fuel economy was unimpressive—EPA ratings were 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The GX felt heavy, rolling predictably through corners, unlike some top-heavy competitors. Its driving dynamics improved over years, offering communicative road feel, strong brakes, and a torque-sensing limited-slip differential that adjusted for wheel slip, making it user-friendly on varied terrains.

The 2023 Kia Telluride provided versatile seating configurations for seven or eight passengers. Test vehicles with premium Nappa leather upholstery had power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front and second-row captain’s chairs. The second-row seats also were ventilated in the SX Prestige trim. With a heated steering wheel, the Telluride emphasized comfort.

Interior space was generous. Front seats were comfortable, with a new power lumbar stabilization system that kept drivers fresh on long trips. The second row offered manual sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets with smartphone slots. A button on the second-row seats enabled easy access to the third row, which was more comfortable than many midsize SUV competitors.

Cargo space in the Telluride included 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with both rear rows down. Additionally, a “smart” power tailgate with proximity sensing and a new automatic closing function added convenience.

The 2023 Lexus GX maintained a complex balance of function and form. It offered deep center console bins, configurable cupholders, old-school USB-A ports, and small door pockets. Hard buttons for controls were a welcome choice, though numerous, reducing the need to dig through menus.

The GX had a sliding center armrest and comfortable second-row seats, but its third-row seating was tight, more useful for emergencies than regular use. The trunk, a side-hinged door requiring strength and space to open, revealed a narrow 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Folding the third row expanded capacity to 46.7 cubic feet, and with both rows down, it yielded 64.7 cubic feet—less than a Toyota RAV4’s 69.8 cubic feet.

The 2023 Kia Telluride made technological advancements with its 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard in all models. It featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and Kia Connect services, including a new Wi-Fi hotspot. Voice recognition worked flawlessly for most commands, except climate control, which required manual adjustment.

Kia’s smartphone app allowed remote control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Over-the-air updates kept the system current, and paired devices could connect via Bluetooth simultaneously. Six USB charging ports ensured power access in every row.

Driver Talk and Quiet Mode enhanced convenience, allowing the driver to communicate with rear passengers through speakers or mute rear speakers during quiet drives. Upgrades included a Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone charging, digital-key technology, and a Full Display Mirror showing a video view of rear surroundings.

An optional head-up display (HUD) had a new 10-inch color viewing area, showing vital information, including navigation and blind-spot warnings, even visible with polarized sunglasses.

The Lexus GX’s infotainment, updated in 2022, already looked dated by 2023 standards. The 10.3-inch touchscreen, an upgrade from the previous system, sat high on the dash, integrating Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. However, Remote Touch Interface (RTI) was still present but redundant with the improved touchscreen.

Three years of Lexus Enform Remote were standard, allowing remote start from a smartphone. The test vehicle featured a 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo and a CD player, although the touchscreen lagged behind newer Lexus models in quality and responsiveness.

Tech limitations aside, the GX excelled off-road, with a real 4WD system, low range, a locking center differential, and driving-focused technology like downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, and stability control. The GX also featured Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) for leveling during varied terrain and offered an Off-Road Package with advanced off-road features.

Kia equipped the 2023 Telluride with extensive standard safety features. Every model came with forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning detection, and automatic emergency braking. It also offered blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist.

Other safety features included Safe Exit Assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist. Highway Drive Assist 1.5 was standard, providing semi-autonomous driving assistance, with an upgraded 2.0 version available on SX trim, adding Lane Change Assist.

Additional features for SX and higher trims included front parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and Blind-Spot View Monitor. Automatic high-beam headlights, a driver attention warning system, and Rear Occupant Alert with ultrasonic sensors were also standard. Real-world tests confirmed the effectiveness of these safety systems, including forward collision warning and Highway Drive Assist 2.0.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not undergone crash tests by NHTSA or IIHS, but its 2010 engineering underscored a need for updated structural safety standards. Still, Lexus packed in plenty of ADAS, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. Despite its older build, the GX’s safety features significantly enhanced its protective capabilities.