2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2025 Kia Telluride

In Canada, the 2025 Kia Telluride was offered in five trim levels: EX, SX, SX Limited, X-Line, and X-Pro, with base prices ranging from $53,840 to $66,540, including a $2,100 destination charge and other fees. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup. The X-Line trim added features like increased ground clearance and a self-levelling rear suspension, while the X-Pro trim included 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and increased towing capacity to 2,500 kilograms. Our test vehicle, the X-Pro trim, featured the most comprehensive standard equipment and off-roading capability, with an extra-cost Midnight Lake Blue paint bringing the MSRP to $66,916. The Telluride was praised for its attractive proportions and distinctive design, though the blacked-out X-Line and X-Pro treatments diminished some of its personality. Inside, the black-over-Terracotta interior contrasted sharply with the blue exterior, offering a luxurious feel with simulated wood trim and chevron-pattern Nappa leather. However, the lower cabin plastics revealed cost-cutting measures. The dual-screen display on the dashboard looked advanced, but some markings were hard to discern in daylight.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was a $90,000 SUV with nearly every available feature, including an exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers. Despite these features, the RX's design was considered unremarkable, with a huge front grille and dramatic rear haunches. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h with 246 horsepower and 6.5 L/100 km fuel efficiency, the RX 500h with 366 hp and 8.6 L/100 km, and the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with an estimated 60 km electric-only range. All models featured standard AWD in Canada, with various package options. The RX's interior offered quality materials and ambient lighting, though the controls were a mix of baffling and brilliant. The RX avoided the single curved display trend, maintaining a unique interior look.

The 2025 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. It offered Eco, Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode adapting to driver behaviour. While some competitors switched to turbocharged four-cylinders, the Telluride's V6 was preferred for its smoothness and power, though it occasionally struggled at higher elevations. It achieved a fuel economy of 11.6 L/100 km over nearly 2,000 km, aligning with the Natural Resources Canada rating of 11.7 L/100 km. The X-Pro trim's all-terrain tires provided excellent off-road traction but sacrificed some on-pavement grip. The Telluride's ground clearance was 20.3 cm, with the X-Line and X-Pro versions offering 21.3 cm. The X-Pro's brake pedal behaviour was occasionally sticky in traffic, but otherwise, the driving experience was pleasurable.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance. The RX 350h, the least powerful, had 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque from a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, achieving 6.5 L/100 km. The RX 450h+ PHEV used the same engine with a larger battery and more powerful electric motor, producing 304 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds. The RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds but with worse fuel economy at 13.5 L/100 km. The RX 500h included a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, 21-inch wheels, and Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. While the RX 500h offered quick acceleration and a pleasant sound, it lacked fuel efficiency and had some drivetrain hesitation. The adaptive damping suspension didn't control body motions as expected, and the RX 500h's dynamic limits were hard to discern, making it more about sporty appearance than dynamic capability.

The 2025 Kia Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, narrow trays on door armrests, USB-C ports in front seatbacks, and smartphone storage sleeves for second-row passengers. The second row featured reclining captain's chairs, a rear climate control zone, and ample legroom, enhanced by an overhead glass roof panel. The third-row seat, when folded flat, provided 601 litres of cargo space, with a hidden compartment under the load floor. Folding the third-row seats expanded cargo space to 1,304 litres, and flattening the second-row seats increased it to 2,455 litres.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats were snug with enhanced bolstering, but the bottom cushions were uncomfortable on long drives. The panoramic sunroof extended over the rear seat, which featured power-reclining, heated, and ventilated seats. The RX offered ample room for adults and practical interior storage, though the rear centre armrest storage compartment lacked a lining. The RX Hybrid provided 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage space under the load floor. Folding the second row increased cargo volume to 1,308 litres, though the cargo cover could be obstructive.

The 2025 Kia Telluride featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a single piece of glass, with a 10-inch head-up display on higher trims. The head-up display alerted drivers to vehicles in blind spots, and the Blind Spot View Monitor showed live video feeds. However, the Telluride lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the data port was USB-A. The voice recognition system was rudimentary, but the SiriusXM satellite radio and Harman Kardon audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid met luxury vehicle tech standards with digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The RX 500h featured a 14-inch touchscreen display with a conversational digital voice assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the RX offered SiriusXM satellite radio and cloud-based navigation. However, the steering wheel controls were distracting, and the infotainment system experienced occasional glitches. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Kia Telluride came with standard safety features, including forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, intersection assistance, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, lane centring assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Highway Driving Assist was standard, pairing adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist for semi-autonomous highway driving. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 provided forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist monitored forward progress and used braking or steering input to maintain safe distances. The RX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS gave it a Poor rating for occupant protection in a moderate overlap frontal-impact test.