Lexus RX vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2024 Lexus RX, following its recent redesign, presented a somewhat polarizing exterior. Its front end was characterized by an oversized trapezoidal grille, which, rather than being a separate styling element, awkwardly began within the bodywork. This design choice was particularly jarring in lighter colours. The hood added to the bulky appearance with a prominent bump, contrasting sharply with the sleek designs of previous RX models. The sides featured bulging body panels that enveloped the rear fenders, and a swooping chrome accent strip suggested a floating-roof design, which seemed slightly out of place. The rear, however, was more cohesive, with a tidy design connecting the taillights with a single light strip.

Inside, the RX was less divisive, offering a conventional layout with premium materials. Higher-priced packages included faux suede inserts, adding a softer touch to the cabin. A large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen was available, positioned high on the dash for easy access, with climate controls neatly organized below. The centre console featured a simulated woodgrain that felt less convincing, contrasting with the genuine wood inlays on the steering wheel. Despite this, the cabin was well-appointed with premium leather and sturdy construction.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid showcased a bold design that could polarize opinions. Its grille, spanning the entire width of the front end, had a flat, faceless look that divided opinions. The vehicle's personality varied significantly with colour and trim, with body-coloured vertical strakes at each edge that blended better in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks, both featuring distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile was marked by angular fender sculpting and unusual black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, which seemed unnecessary. The rear view, with rounded corners and vertical taillights, resembled a Range Rover, adding a touch of sophistication.

Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout with a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette reminiscent of Volvo. However, the silver buttons and cream-coloured infotainment shortcuts were difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, had firm cushions that could be uncomfortable on long drives. Material quality was excellent, with options for engineered wood or carbon fibre trim surfaces, adding a touch of elegance to the cabin.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four distinct models, starting with the base RX 350, powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard across all models. The RX 350h hybrid version featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, utilizing a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-litre inline-four with a hybrid powertrain, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ increased power output to 304 hp with an 18.1-kWh battery pack, offering up to 60 kilometres of electric range on a full charge.

The RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered compared to other luxury SUVs, with the hybrid's CVT keeping engine revs high. The RX 450h+ was more responsive, reaching 96 km/h in 6.2 seconds, thanks to its electric propulsion. The RX prioritized comfort with a soft suspension, resulting in noticeable body roll when cornering. The F Sport Handling trim offered sharper performance, but the RX's main mission was comfort, which it achieved with ease.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride Hybrid added electric motors with a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed transmission. The hybrid powertrain was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims but was expected in the X-Line trim.

The Telluride Hybrid provided ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. Both Tellurides were tuned for comfort, delivering a smooth ride. The X-Pro model, with its lifted off-road suspension, was surprisingly comfortable, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, instilling confidence despite not being particularly sporty. The brake pedal effort was soft, requiring some adjustment, but brake response was immediate in panic stops.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered spacious front seats with plenty of power adjustments, standard heating and ventilation, and a comfortable ride for long trips. A rubberized wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and additional USB ports were included. The rear seats provided ample space for average-sized adults, with good outward visibility and standard rear climate controls. The RX had up to 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,308 litres with the second-row seatbacks folded. The load floor was slightly taller than competitors, requiring more effort when loading heavier items.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to a business-class airline seat. The middle-row seats had significant travel fore and aft, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride offered 631 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,379 litres with the seatbacks folded, and up to 2,528 litres with the second-row seatbacks flat. The hybrid models lost only about 30 litres of cargo capacity. The Telluride could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, or 2,040 kilograms for the hybrid.

The 2024 Lexus RX featured a new infotainment system with a touchscreen measuring 9.8 inches in lower-priced configurations and 14 inches in higher-end models. The system offered natural speech commands and was easy to use, though not as feature-rich as some competitors. The RX included a cloud-based navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an available 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The infotainment system was easy to use, though it required a hard tap to register inputs. The Telluride included a native navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. A 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system was available, delivering powerful bass and clear tones.

The 2024 Lexus RX earned five stars in overall and side collision protection from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Some features could be adjusted for sensitivity or disabled.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. It was expected to include standard advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The highway driving assist was particularly helpful on longer trips.