2024 Kia Telluride vs 2024 Lexus GX

The 2024 Kia Telluride was offered in five trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. Customization options like the rugged X-Line and X-Pro packages were available, except for the LX and S trims. The X-Line package added various enhancements, including standard all-wheel drive (AWD) with a center locking differential, nearly half an inch more ground clearance (8.4 inches versus 8 inches), improved approach and departure angles, unique grille and 20-inch wheel designs, and roof rails. The X-Pro package further included 18-inch matte-black wheels with all-terrain tires and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing the towing capacity by 500 pounds to 5,500 pounds.

Price points ranged from $35,990 for the LX to $53,185 for the SX Prestige with the X-Pro package, not accounting for the destination charge. The test vehicle was the SX Prestige with the X-Line package, featuring the extra cost Wolf Gray paint and floor mats, bringing the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) to $54,270, including the $1,365 destination charge.

The Telluride's aesthetic appeal was undeniable, much like bees are drawn to pollen. Despite some mixed reactions to last year’s styling updates, the SUV's attractive proportions remained. The Wolf Gray paint paired excellently with the X-Line's blacked-out styling, integrating elements like the formerly gray grille surround and bumper details. Inside, the test vehicle featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats. Although this wasn’t the most appealing color scheme, several other options, including Mahogany brown, Terracotta brown, light gray over black or dark blue, and Sage Green, offered enhanced appeal. Simulated open-pore wood trim added a luxurious touch to the interior, offsetting the less impressive shiny plastic on the lower portions.

The 2024 Kia Telluride featured a robust 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Power was transmitted via an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front or all four wheels. Most Tellurides could tow up to 5,000 pounds, but the X-Pro package increased this to 5,500 pounds thanks to heavy-duty engine cooling.

The AWD variant included a locking center differential, facilitating power distribution between the front and rear wheels at low speeds. Additionally, it offered a Snow driving mode alongside Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. While the Telluride had a standard ground clearance of 8.0 inches, the X-Line and X-Pro packages raised this to 8.4 inches, and the vehicle also featured a self-leveling rear suspension.

The Telluride's acceleration was commendable, with enough power for smooth freeway entry and passing maneuvers. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive. The EPA estimated the AWD version's combined fuel economy at 20 mpg, but real-world testing yielded an average of 19 mpg, dipping to 17.5 mpg during city driving.

Conversely, the 2024 Lexus GX ditched its previous V8 powertrain for a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine. Despite being smaller, this engine delivered significantly more power at 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The torque was available low in the rev range, making off-road driving more efficient.

Built on the GA-F truck platform, the GX shared its underpinnings with prestigious models like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus LX, and Toyota Tundra. This platform provided a stiffer chassis, offering greater stability on both on-road and off-road terrains. The GX featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, standard full-time four-wheel drive (4WD), and a locking Torsen limited-slip center differential. Overtrail trims added a locking rear differential and Lexus's Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS), which balanced off-road and on-road stability by adjusting the front and rear stabilizer bars.

During testing, the GX exhibited strong acceleration and effective braking. Despite its weight, which exceeded 5,000 pounds, it managed to maintain composure through corners and proved surprisingly controlled for a body-on-frame vehicle.

Regarding interior comfort, the Kia Telluride’s SX Prestige X-Line trim offered premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row seating was spacious enough for adults, and a dual sunroof added brightness to the otherwise dark interior. The controls were user-friendly, with horizontal alignment and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Physical controls were predominant, although the metallic finish buttons could be hard to read in bright light.

The Telluride featured thoughtful details like a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel that displayed scenic backgrounds matching the time of day, and ample accessible storage space, including a covered cubby and a smartphone tray. The hands-free power liftgate was convenient, providing 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet.

The Lexus GX, on the other hand, presented a more minimalist and sophisticated interior compared to its predecessor. It retained essential physical buttons, particularly for off-roading features, while incorporating a 14-inch touchscreen. The GX offered 41.2 inches of legroom in the front and 36.7 inches in the second row, providing a comfortable environment for six-foot-tall adults. The third-row seat, available in Premium and Luxury trims, was tight and more suitable for children with 31.7 inches of legroom.

The GX excelled in cargo space, albeit slightly behind the Telluride in maximum capacity. With 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 76.9 cubic feet. The Overtrail models, without a third row, offered 45.6 cubic feet behind the second row and a total of 90.5 cubic feet.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. For Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, users needed a cable connected to one of the USB-C data ports, as wireless functionality was absent. The Kia Connect subscription enabled additional features, but the test vehicle lacked an active subscription, hindering a complete voice recognition test. However, past experiences with the system were positive.

Four Kia Connect plans were available, with various features like a "find my car" function, programmable safe driver settings, remote engine start, climate pre-conditioning, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and over-the-air updates. The test vehicle also boasted satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

Additional features included a blue-light filter for the display, a Quiet Mode for front speakers-only audio, and a function to project the driver’s voice through rear-seat speakers. The Telluride also offered a camera-based rearview mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Lexus GX featured a 14-inch touchscreen integrated into the dash, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It included USB-C ports and an available wireless charging pad. Overtrail models had two additional USB-C ports for the back seat, and all models had a 120-volt AC outlet in the trunk.

The Lexus Interface's infotainment system was paired with the Drive Connect subscription service. It offered intelligent voice assistance with commands for navigation, climate control, and audio. The Remote Connect subscription provided remote locking, unlocking, ignition, and vehicle diagnostics. A high-end 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available in the Luxury and Overtrail+ trims.

While the Lexus Interface was user-friendly, many features were locked behind subscription plans after an initial three-year trial. This could be an important consideration for long-term owners.

The 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard Kia Drive Wise suite, including features like collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear occupant protection. Highway Driving Assist, a hands-on semi-autonomous driving system, was standard, incorporating adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist.

Safety feature upgrades were trim-dependent and included front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assist, lane-change assist, and automatic rear braking. The camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor system was available, displaying blind spots on the digital instrumentation panel. Higher trims also offered Highway Driving Assist 2.0, with automatic lane-changing capabilities.

The Telluride had a five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2024 Lexus GX saw significant improvements in safety features with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering pre-collision detection and braking systems, adaptive cruise control with full stop-and-go capability, lane-tracing assist, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and road-sign recognition. Proactive driving assist, which brakes as necessary when adaptive cruise control is in use, was also included.

Neither the IIHS nor NHTSA crash-tested the 2024 GX, but the advanced driver assistance systems and the modern GA-F architecture instilled confidence in its safety offerings.