2025 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Lexus GX

The 2025 Kia Telluride was available in Canada in five trim levels, ranging from the EX to the X-Pro, with base prices spanning from $53,840 to $66,540, inclusive of destination charges and fees. The X-Line trim enhanced the Telluride's off-road capabilities with increased ground clearance and a self-levelling rear suspension, while the X-Pro trim further boosted its ruggedness with 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, increasing towing capacity to 2,500 kilograms. Our test vehicle, the X-Pro, featured a striking Midnight Lake Blue paint, elevating its MSRP to $66,916. The Telluride's design was both attractive and distinctive, though the blacked-out X-Line and X-Pro trims somewhat muted its personality. Inside, the Telluride offered a luxurious feel with its black-over-Terracotta interior, simulated wood trim, and chevron-pattern Nappa leather. However, the lower cabin plastics revealed cost-saving measures. The dual-screen display on the dashboard was user-friendly, though some markings were hard to discern in daylight.

The 2025 Lexus GX underwent a complete redesign, presenting a striking new look reminiscent of classic Land Rover models. Its bold exterior featured LED headlights and a large grille, complemented by 33-inch tires and matte grey 18-inch wheels on the Overtrail+ trim. Inside, the GX exuded luxury with its clean design, quality switchgear, and chic dashboard layout. The seats, upholstered in stitched black and tan faux leather, offered heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The GX provided ample headroom and legroom, ensuring comfort for all passengers. Visibility was excellent, aided by tall windows and an elevated ride height. The GX's interior was both spacious and functional, making it a top choice for families seeking a luxurious and capable SUV.

The 2025 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. It offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart, with the latter adapting to driver behaviour. Despite some competitors opting for turbocharged four-cylinders, the Telluride's V6 was smooth and refined, providing ample power for road trips. It achieved a fuel economy of 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres over nearly 2,000 kilometres, aligning with its official rating. The X-Pro trim's all-terrain tires excelled off-road but sacrificed some on-pavement grip. The Telluride's ground clearance varied from 20.3 to 21.3 centimetres, depending on the trim. While the brake pedal occasionally felt sticky in traffic, the overall driving experience was pleasurable.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured a twin-turbo 3.4-litre V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD. It accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 6.5 seconds, a second faster than its V8 predecessor. The GX's performance was robust, with ample power throughout the rev range. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 19.0 L/100 km during testing. The GX's chassis, with adaptive dampers and a non-independent rear axle, provided good ride quality, though some jiggliness was noted. Off-road, the GX excelled, easily tackling challenging terrain with its low gear range and locking centre differential. The Overtrail+ package enhanced its off-road capabilities, though it came at a premium price.

The 2025 Kia Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, featuring heated and ventilated second-row seats, USB-C ports, and smartphone storage sleeves. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and convenience, while the third-row seat offered reasonable comfort for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 601 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,455 litres with all seats folded. The Telluride's dimensions were not class-leading, but it offered ample space for most needs.

The 2025 Lexus GX offered a spacious interior with generous headroom and legroom. The Overtrail packages, lacking a third row, provided up to 2,563 litres of cargo space, accommodating large items with ease. The GX's towing capacity of 4,111 kilograms made it suitable for adventurous pursuits. Despite its size, the GX was easy to manoeuvre and park, offering peace of mind in tight spaces.

The 2025 Kia Telluride featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a 10-inch head-up display on higher trims. While the system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it offered useful features like a Blind Spot View Monitor and a blue light filter. The Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality, though the native voice recognition system was basic.

The 2025 Lexus GX boasted a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, both offering excellent clarity and usability. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth were standard, with seamless pairing. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio system provided good sound quality, though it required higher volume at highway speeds. Six USB-C ports ensured ample connectivity and charging options.

The 2025 Kia Telluride came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist offered semi-autonomous capabilities, though the lane-centring assist system was occasionally problematic. The Telluride earned top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, and pedestrian detection. The system operated smoothly, even on challenging roads. A 360-degree camera system enhanced visibility, particularly off-road. While the GX had not been rated by safety organizations, it included 10 airbags for occupant protection.