Compare the2026 Lexus LXVS 2025 Kia Telluride

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus LX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Kia Telluride doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Lexus LX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Telluride doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The LX 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the LX. But it costs extra on the Telluride.

The Lexus LX’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Kia Telluride does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the LX and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Lexus LX weighs 1210 to 1811 pounds more than the Kia Telluride. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the LX’s reliability 23 points higher than the Telluride.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 56 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 11th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

The LX 600’s standard 3.4 turbo V6 produces 118 more horsepower (409 vs. 291) and 217 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6. The LX 700h’s standard 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 166 more horsepower (457 vs. 291) and 321 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the LX 600 3.4 turbo V6 is faster than the Kia Telluride:

	LX	Telluride
Zero to 30 MPH	1.9 sec	2.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	7.1 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.3 sec	17.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.7 sec	7.1 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.3 sec	3.7 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.4 sec	4.6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.3 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	94 MPH
Top Speed	135 MPH	132 MPH

Regenerative brakes improve the LX 700h’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 LX’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.

The LX 600’s standard fuel tank has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride (21.1 vs. 18.8 gallons).

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Telluride.

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

	LX	Telluride
Front Rotors	13.9 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.1 inches	12 inches

The LX’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.

For better traction, the LX has larger tires than the Telluride (265/55R20 vs. 245/60R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LX offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Telluride’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Lexus LX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia Telluride only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The LX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Telluride; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The LX has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Telluride’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The LX’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.5% to 47.5%) than the Telluride’s (55% to 45%). This gives the LX more stable handling and braking.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the LX 600 F Sport Handling is quieter than the Telluride SX 4x4 (73 vs. 75 dB).

The LX has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Telluride doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Both the LX and the Telluride offer second row automatic folding seats. The LX’s third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a switch. The Telluride doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

The LX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Telluride’s (8000 vs. 5000 pounds).

The engine in the LX is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Telluride. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 60% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Telluride SX, the LX has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The LX’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 LX 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 LX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, 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 LX’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 LX has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Telluride doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

The LX’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.

The Lexus LX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Telluride EX/SX.

The LX has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Telluride.

The LX offers optional massaging front and rear seats (rear massaging seats standard on Ultra Luxury). Massaging seats aren’t available in the Telluride.

The Lexus LX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Kia charges extra for Homelink® on the Telluride.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus LX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Telluride S/EX/SX offers wireless charging. The LX also offers Qi charging in the second row seat. The Telluride doesn’t offer wireless charging in its second row seat.

The LX 700h’s 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.