2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2024 Kia Telluride was available in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The X-Line treatment could be added to all but the LX and S trims, while the X-Pro package was reserved for the top two trims. The X-Line package enhanced the Telluride with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), a center locking differential, increased ground clearance to 8.4 inches, improved approach and departure angles, unique grille and 20-inch wheel designs, and roof rails. The X-Pro package further added 18-inch matte-black wheels with all-terrain tires and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing the maximum towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. Prices ranged from $35,990 for the LX to $53,185 for the SX Prestige with the X-Pro package, excluding the destination charge. The SX Prestige with the X-Line package, featuring Wolf Gray paint and floor mats, had an MSRP of $54,270, including the $1,365 destination charge.

The Telluride's design attracted buyers with its appealing forms and proportions, although last year’s styling updates were not universally loved. The Wolf Gray paint complemented the blacked-out X-Line styling, including the grille surround and bumper details. Inside, the test car featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, though other color options like Mahogany brown, Terracotta brown, light gray over black or dark blue, and Sage Green were available, each complementing the simulated open-pore wood trim. Despite the luxurious feel, the presence of shiny plastic in the interior's lower portions was a downside, especially in the SX Prestige, which otherwise nearly met luxury SUV standards with its soft leather, artificial suede headliner, 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel, classy metallic accents, and thoughtful details.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h Black Line Special Edition, was priced at $75,000 and featured an exclusive Incognito paint job with orange brake calipers. Despite these unique touches, the RX's design was generally unremarkable, with a large front grille and a dramatic swell into the rear haunches. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h with 246 horsepower and 36 mpg, the RX 500h with 366 hp and 27 mpg, and the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid offering 37 miles of electric-only range and 35 mpg. All models came with standard AWD, with the RX 500h available in F Sport Performance and Black Line Special Edition trims, and the RX 450h+ in Luxury trim. Base prices ranged from $52,875 to $72,710, including the $1,450 destination charge.

Inside, the RX Hybrid offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting. The controls varied in usability, but the Lexus avoided the common single curved display approach, maintaining a traditional layout. The RX 500h's interior featured heated and ventilated front seats with enhanced bolstering, though the bottom cushions were less comfortable over long drives. The automatic climate system's fan was notably loud. The rear seats, however, were comfortable and spacious, with optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated features. The RX provided ample interior storage, though the rear center armrest lacked lining, potentially causing noise. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet, expandable to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though this was limited for a midsize SUV.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options, with most models capable of towing 5,000 pounds, while the X-Pro package increased this to 5,500 pounds. The AWD models included a locking center differential and a Snow driving mode, alongside Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. Ground clearance was 8.0 inches in standard spec, rising to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages, and the SUV featured a self-leveling rear suspension. The Telluride accelerated easily to freeway speeds and provided good passing power, though it was not fuel-efficient, averaging 19 mpg in combined driving and 17.5 mpg in city driving. Despite this, the Telluride offered a refined driving experience with standard brake-induced Torque Vectoring Cornering Control, responsive steering, and brakes that resisted rumble and fade. The ride was firm at lower speeds but soft and compliant at higher velocities, absorbing road undulations effectively. Off-road, the Telluride was more capable than expected, handling various terrains with ease.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance. The RX 350h was the least powerful but most efficient, with 246 hp and 233 pound-feet of torque from a hybrid powertrain based on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It achieved 36 mpg but had a droning CVT. The RX 450h+ PHEV used the same engine with a larger battery and more powerful electric motor, producing 304 hp and a 0-60 time of 6.2 seconds. The RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 time 1.5 seconds faster than the RX 350h. However, it averaged just 20.9 mpg, lower than the EPA's estimate. The RX 500h included a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, 21-inch wheels, and Lexus’s Direct4 AWD system, offering performance brakes and a dynamic rear-wheel steering system. Despite its power and quick acceleration, the RX 500h's drivetrain hesitated at times, and the adaptive suspension produced unnatural sensations. The RX 500h was capable on twisty roads but lacked communication between the road and driver, making it less rewarding to drive.

The 2024 Kia Telluride offered a comfortable interior, especially in higher trims. The SX Prestige X-Line test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar massage, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, and a third-row seat suitable for adults. A dual sunroof added light to the interior. The controls were oriented horizontally, with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was easy to use, though metallic finish buttons were hard to read in bright sunlight. The Telluride included thoughtful details like a digital instrumentation panel with scenic landscape views and generous storage space, including a covered cubby and a smartphone tray. A hands-free power liftgate was available, offering convenience but also potential inconvenience in certain situations. The Telluride provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with all seats down. The X-Line and X-Pro offered useful roof rails for additional cargo capacity.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h F Sport Performance test vehicle had heated and ventilated front seats with enhanced bolstering, though the bottom cushions were less comfortable over long drives. The automatic climate system's fan was loud. The rear seats were comfortable and spacious, with optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated features. The RX provided ample interior storage, though the rear center armrest lacked lining, potentially causing noise. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet, expandable to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though this was limited for a midsize SUV. The RX featured a hands-free power liftgate, though the cargo cover could get in the way when loading larger items.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The system offered a capable voice recognition system with an active Kia Connect subscription. The test vehicle's Kia Connect subscription was inactive, but past experiences showed it worked well. Kia Connect offered four plans, with the Ultimate plan providing the most features, including voice assist. The Telluride also featured satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Thoughtful features included a blue-light filter for the infotainment display, Quiet Mode, and a function to deliver the driver’s voice to rear-seat occupants. A digital key function and a camera-based rearview mirror were also available, along with a 10-inch head-up display and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid met luxury vehicle standards with its technology offerings. The RX 500h Black Line Special Edition included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen display. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. The Drive Connect plan provided a conversational digital voice assistant and cloud-based navigation. The RX also offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. However, the steering wheel controls were distracting and difficult to use while driving. The head-up display was helpful but not as comprehensive as some rivals. The test vehicle experienced a glitch with satellite radio display, but overall, the technology worked well.

The 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard Kia Drive Wise collection of driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear occupant protection. Highway Driving Assist was standard, offering a semi-autonomous driving system with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. Safety feature upgrades varied by trim level and included front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assist, lane-change assist, and automatic rear braking. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system was available, showing blind spots via a camera display. Highway Driving Assist 2.0 added automatic lane changing, though it performed best on open roads. The lane-keeping system was intrusive without Highway Driving Assist, leading to it being turned off. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Safety Connect, offering an automatic collision notification system, SOS emergency assistance, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 was standard, featuring forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RX also had blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Predictive Driving Assist monitored forward progress and used braking or steering input to ensure safe distances. The Convenience Package added a surround-view camera, which was useful. LSS+ 3.0 worked well, though Traffic Jam Assist asked to record the driver, which was unsettling. The lane-change assist function was slow, and adjusting adaptive cruise control settings was difficult with the steering wheel controls. The RX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS gave it a Poor rating for occupant protection in a frontal-impact test.