Compare the2023 Kia TellurideVS 2022 Lexus RXL

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Telluride and RXL have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Telluride has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The RXL’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Telluride are reminded to check the back seat when a sensor determines the back seat is occupied. The RXL doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Telluride and the RXL have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Telluride is safer than the Lexus RXL:

	Telluride	RXL
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	33.2%
Neck Stress	275 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	32 lbs.	60 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36%	40.1%
Neck Stress	131 lbs.	267 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	351/369 lbs.	403/457 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Telluride is safer than the Lexus RXL:

	Telluride	RXL
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	41	53
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	93 lbs.	110 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	165
Hip Force	449 lbs.	594 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	640 lbs.	685 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Telluride is 1.2% to 2.4% less likely to roll over than the RXL.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Telluride its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RXL last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The Telluride comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The RXL’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Telluride 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lexus covers the RXL. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the RXL ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Telluride’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Telluride has a standard 800-amp battery. The RXL’s 580-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Telluride second among upper midsize suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The RXL isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 6th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 6th.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Kia Telluride is faster than the RX 350L 3.5 DOHC V6:

	Telluride	RXL
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.2 MPH	89.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Telluride FWD gets better fuel mileage than the RX 350L FWD (20 city/26 hwy vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Telluride uses regular unleaded gasoline. The RX 450hL requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Telluride has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the RXL Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.8 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Telluride’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RXL:

	Telluride	RXL
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.9 inches

The Telluride stops much shorter than the RXL:

	Telluride	RXL
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	133 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Telluride has larger tires than the RXL (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R18).

The Telluride LX/X-Pro’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RXL’s standard 65 series tires. The Telluride S/EX/SX’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the RXL’s optional 55 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Telluride has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The RXL doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Telluride’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the RXL (114.2 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Telluride is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than on the RXL.

The Telluride SX 4x4 handles at .80 G’s, while the RX 350L AWD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Telluride SX 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the RX 350L (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Telluride X-Line/X-Pro has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RXL (8.4 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Telluride to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Kia Telluride may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Lexus RXL.

Passenger Space

The Telluride has standard seating for 8 passengers; the RXL can only carry 7.

The Telluride has 38 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RXL (155 vs. 117).

The Telluride has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front hip room, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 11.5 inches more rear legroom, 2.2 inches more rear hip room, 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.3 inches more third row headroom, 7.9 inches more third row legroom and 9.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the RXL.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Telluride’s middle and third row seats recline. The RXL’s third row seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Telluride is 1 inches lower than the RXL (19.5” vs. 20.5”). The Telluride’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the RXL’s (19.3” vs. 20.8”).

Cargo Capacity

The Telluride’s cargo area provides more volume than the RXL.

	Telluride	RXL
Behind Third Seat	21 cubic feet	7.5 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	46 cubic feet	23 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	87 cubic feet	58.5 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Telluride easier. The Telluride’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the RXL’s liftover is 31.9 inches.

The Telluride’s cargo area is larger than the RXL’s in almost every dimension:

	Telluride	RXL
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20.4”/49.8”/83.8”	21.5”/48.5”/81”
Max Width	54.4”	51.8”
Min Width	43.5”	44”
Height	34.5”	30”

Towing

The Telluride’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RXL’s (5000 vs. 0 pounds).

A Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the Telluride, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the RXL.

Ergonomics

The Telluride’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The RXL’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Telluride’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the RXL’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

The Telluride EX/SX has standard front air conditioned seats and the Telluride SX Prestige also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The RXL doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Telluride owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Telluride will cost $155 to $3300 less than the RXL over a five-year period.

The Telluride will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Telluride will retain 54.84% to 55.57% of its original price after five years, while the RXL only retains 51.82% to 52.92%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Telluride is less expensive to operate than the RXL because typical repairs cost much less on the Telluride than the RXL, including $644 less for a water pump, $329 less for a starter, $1060 less for a timing belt/chain and $940 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Kia Telluride will be $9195 to $11145 less than for the Lexus RXL.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Kia Telluride as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Telluride second among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The RXL isn’t in the top three in its category.

Motor Trend selected the Telluride as their 2020 Sport Utility of the Year. The RXL has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Telluride as the 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The RXL has never been chosen.

The Kia Telluride outsold the Lexus RX by 3850 units during 2022.

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