Lexus NX Hybrid vs Kia Telluride

The 2025 Kia Telluride was available in Canada in five trim levels, ranging from the EX to the X-Pro, with base prices between $53,840 and $66,540. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup. The X-Line trim offered increased ground clearance and a self-levelling rear suspension, while the X-Pro trim featured 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and a towing capacity of 2,500 kilograms. The test vehicle, an X-Pro, was equipped with comprehensive standard equipment and off-roading capabilities, with a final price of $66,916 due to the extra-cost Midnight Lake Blue paint. The Telluride was praised for its distinctive design and upscale details, although the blacked-out X-Line and X-Pro trims diminished some of its personality. Inside, the black-over-Terracotta interior contrasted sharply with the blue exterior, featuring luxurious materials like chevron-pattern Nappa leather and an artificial suede headliner. However, the lower cabin plastics revealed cost-cutting measures. The dual-screen display on the dashboard appeared advanced, and the presence of buttons and knobs facilitated easy operation of the infotainment and climate systems, despite some visibility issues in daylight.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, was characterized by its over-stylized design, featuring a large spindle grille and squinting LED headlights. The profile was sporty yet less extroverted, with body-coloured fender flares suggesting a focus on road manners. F Sport elements included dark trim and 20-inch wheels, with a fastback roof shape reminiscent of coupe-like crossovers. Inside, the NX combined a sporty look with modern technology, including a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen angled toward the driver. The F Sport 3 test car featured dark graphite aluminum trim, metal pedals, and Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery. Lexus's NuLuxe textile convincingly mimicked real leather, contributing to the upscale feel. Soft-touch surfaces adorned the interior, enhancing the luxurious ambiance.

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. Despite some competitors switching to turbocharged four-cylinders, the Telluride's V6 was preferred for its smoothness and ample power, though it occasionally struggled at higher elevations. It achieved a fuel economy of 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres over nearly 2,000 kilometres, aligning with the Natural Resources Canada rating. The X-Pro trim's all-terrain tires provided excellent off-pavement traction but sacrificed some on-road grip. The Telluride excelled on rough roads and city streets, with its suspension absorbing impacts effectively. However, the brake pedal behaviour in traffic was occasionally problematic, with delayed reactions and unexpected force.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, was not as sporty as its name suggested. It featured adaptive dampers with Normal and Sport settings and a firmer suspension, but it leaned in corners and lacked agility. The steering was weighty but lacked feedback. The ride was firm yet comfortable, with the Sport damper setting providing a busy ride on uneven surfaces. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with three electric motors for standard AWD, producing 240 horsepower. It achieved a 0 to 96 km/h time of 7.2 seconds. Power delivery was not exhilarating, and the drivetrain felt slushy, with the engine droning under hard acceleration. Steering wheel paddles allowed for simulated downshifts, but they did not mimic regular automatic transmission gear ratios. Buyers seeking more power could consider the Lexus NX 450h plug-in hybrid, offering 340 horsepower.

The 2025 Kia Telluride's interior was thoughtfully designed, with features like heated and ventilated second-row seats, narrow trays on door armrests, USB-C charging ports, and smartphone storage sleeves. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and convenience, with ample legroom and a rear climate control zone. The third-row seat, when folded flat, offered 601 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,304 litres with the third-row seats down and 2,455 litres with the second-row seats flattened. While not class-leading, the cargo space was sufficient for most needs.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid's F Sport 3 model featured well-bolstered front seats with power adjustments, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. Heated rear seats were standard on the Executive and F Sport 3 packages. The rear seat accommodated two average-sized adults comfortably, with 950 millimetres of headroom and 917 millimetres of legroom. The cargo hold offered 643 litres of space, expandable to 1,328 litres with the rear seats folded. While not the largest in its class, the NX provided adequate space for everyday needs.

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. The head-up display provided blind-spot alerts, and the Blind Spot View Monitor showed live video feeds. However, the infotainment system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the data port was USB-A. The voice recognition system was basic, but the SiriusXM satellite radio and Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid came standard with a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A programmable head-up display and a wireless phone charger were optional, as was a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The Remote Connect subscription offered remote starting and vehicle status alerts. The touchscreen was angled toward the driver, with quick response times and easy access to controls.

The 2025 Kia Telluride came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving, with lane-change assist on higher trims. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and performed well in crash tests. It featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included automatic parking and a surround-view camera system. The safety systems worked effectively during testing.