Lexus NX vs Kia Telluride

The NX is the compact crossover SUV of the Lexus lineup. It sits between the Lexus UX and Lexus RX in size and price, and it competes with small luxury crossovers like the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Genesis GV70, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Volvo XC60. This second-generation version arrived for the 2022 model year and receives minimal updates for 2026. The previously offered NX 250 base model is gone, but Lexus made some changes to the lineup to make the hybrid and plug-in hybrid NX models more affordable. The Lexus NX is assembled in Canada at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Cambridge, Ontario.

Verdict: The NX offers good value in hybrid form, but it otherwise doesn’t feel like a true luxury vehicle.

Nearly every mainstream car company offers at least one family-friendly, midsize three-row SUV. Kia has three, and the Telluride is the largest of its gas-powered models. (The electric-only EV9 is slightly larger). The Telluride debuted in 2020 to critical acclaim and commercial success. Since then, it has received several updates but not a redesign. We took a 2025 Kia Telluride on a nearly 2,000-kilometre family road trip and remain impressed with this stylish and capable Kia.

Verdict: Aging technology caused some irritation during a five-day road trip in the 2025 Kia Telluride. Otherwise, it was perfectly suited to long-distance travel whether rolling down a highway, roaming a major city, or romping down trails.