Compare the2024 Lexus TXVS 2024 Kia Telluride

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus TX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Telluride doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The TX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Telluride doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the TX and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus TX is safer than the Telluride:

The TX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Telluride’s (6/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 10th.

The TX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6. The TX 500h’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 75 more horsepower (366 vs. 291) and 144 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6. The TX 550h+’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 113 more horsepower (404 vs. 291) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the TX 500h 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Kia Telluride:

On the EPA test cycle the TX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Telluride:

The TX 550h+ CVT can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The Telluride can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the TX 500h/550h+’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Telluride doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the TX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Telluride doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus TX higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Telluride (6). This means the TX produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Telluride every 15,000 miles.

The TX 550h+ has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Telluride doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the TX 500h/550h+’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Telluride:

The TX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Telluride are solid, not vented.

The TX stops shorter than the Telluride:

For better traction, the TX has larger tires than the Telluride (255/55R20 vs. 245/60R18).

The TX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Telluride LX/X-Pro’s standard 60 series tires. The TX’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Telluride S/EX/SX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TX has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Telluride LX/X-Pro. The TX’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Telluride S/EX/SX.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TX’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Telluride (116.1 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The TX 500h F Sport Performance Luxury 4dr Sport Utility handles at .85 G’s, while the Telluride SX Prestige 4x4 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The TX 500h F Sport Performance Premium 4dr Sport Utility executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Telluride SX 4x4 (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the TX’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Telluride’s (38 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The TX F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Telluride doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The TX has .5 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more third row legroom, 2 inches more third row hip room and 2.1 inches more third row shoulder room than the Telluride.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 63% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

The TX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Telluride does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the TX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Telluride can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The TX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Telluride doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The TX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Telluride’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The TX Luxury/F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Telluride doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the TX Luxury/F Sport has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Telluride doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The TX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Telluride offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus TX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Telluride S/EX/SX offers wireless charging.

The TX Premium/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Telluride doesn’t offer an automated parking system.