Toyota Land Cruiser vs Kia Telluride

The 2025 Kia Telluride presented a sophisticated and stylish appearance, with five core trim levels ranging from the base LX to the luxurious SX Prestige. Prices started at $36,390 and went up to $51,390, excluding the destination charge. The X-Line package, available on most trims, added features like all-wheel drive, increased ground clearance, and a distinctive blacked-out look, with prices ranging from $46,485 to $52,785. The X-Pro trim further enhanced the Telluride's capabilities with all-terrain tires and increased towing capacity. Our test vehicle, the SX Prestige X-Pro, boasted a comprehensive set of features, including a luxurious interior with Terracotta Nappa leather and a striking Midnight Lake Blue exterior, bringing the total cost to $56,240. Despite the blacked-out treatment somewhat diminishing its personality, the Telluride stood out in a crowded SUV market with its original design and upscale details.

Inside, the Telluride's interior was a blend of luxury and practicality. The black-over-Terracotta color scheme contrasted sharply with the blue exterior, while simulated wood trim and metallic accents added a touch of elegance. The dual-screen display on the dashboard provided a modern look, though some controls were difficult to read in daylight. The Telluride's interior quality varied, with high-end materials in the upper cabin and more budget-friendly plastics in the lower sections. Overall, the Telluride offered a visually appealing and comfortable environment, with thoughtful features that enhanced the driving experience.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its second model year, offered two trim levels: the base 1958 and the more upscale Land Cruiser. The 1958 model, priced at $58,195, featured a retro design with round headlights and basic equipment, while the Land Cruiser, at $62,965, boasted a modern look with additional off-roading capabilities. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, Heritage Blue paint, and a roof rack, had a total cost of $71,004. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized utility, with a traditional two-box shape and dark gray cladding. Inside, the Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch screens provided a comfortable and technologically advanced environment, though the second-row seats lacked support. The Land Cruiser's utilitarian interior was complemented by intuitive steering-wheel controls, making it a practical choice for both daily driving and off-road adventures.

The 2025 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. Front-wheel drive was standard on most trims, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Telluride offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart, with the latter adapting to driver behavior. While some competitors had switched to turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the Telluride's V6 provided smooth and ample power, achieving 20.2 mpg over a 1,200-mile road trip, aligning with its EPA rating. The X-Pro package, with its all-terrain tires, enhanced off-road capabilities but sacrificed some on-road grip. The Telluride's suspension and tires performed well on rough roads, though brake pedal behavior was occasionally inconsistent in heavy traffic.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The full-time four-wheel-drive system, with electronic locking differentials, allowed for a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg, real-world testing yielded only 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road environments, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select enhancing its capabilities. However, its handling on twisty roads was less impressive, with noticeable body roll and suspension tuning that favored comfort over agility. The Land Cruiser's high seating position and excellent visibility made it easy to maneuver, while its off-road features provided confidence on challenging trails.

The 2025 Kia Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with features like heated and ventilated second-row seats, USB-C charging ports, and smartphone storage sleeves. The driver's seat offered a lumbar massage function, enhancing comfort on long drives. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and storage solutions, while the third-row seat, though folded for luggage during the trip, was comfortable for adults. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 87 cubic feet with all seats folded. While not class-leading, the cargo space was sufficient for most needs.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, upgraded from the 1958 model, featured SofTex artificial leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked support, and the running boards could be cumbersome for taller passengers. The rear window design limited airflow, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 82.1 cubic feet, though the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2025 Kia Telluride's SX and SX Prestige trims featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 10-inch head-up display. The system included features like a Blind Spot View Monitor and a blue light filter, though it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Telluride's native voice recognition system was basic, but the SiriusXM satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity provided entertainment options. The Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, with its upgraded 12.3-inch displays, offered a sophisticated infotainment experience. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and access to music accounts. The Drive Connect feature provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant, while the Premium Package added a JBL sound system, wireless charger, head-up display, and digital key technology. The Land Cruiser's voice recognition system performed well, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2025 Kia Telluride came equipped with Kia's Drive Wise suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), offering a comprehensive range of safety features. Standard equipment included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Highway Driving Assist system provided semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), a collection of ADAS technologies designed to prevent accidents. The system included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features like road sign recognition and Predictive Driving Assist were also included. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with mixed results in specific crash tests.