2024 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Kia Telluride was offered in five core trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX Prestige. The X-Line treatment was available for all trims except the LX and S, while the X-Pro package was exclusive to the top two trims. The X-Line package enhanced the Telluride with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), a center locking differential, increased ground clearance to 8.4 inches, improved approach and departure angles, unique grille and 20-inch wheel designs, and roof rails. The X-Pro package further added 18-inch matte-black wheels with all-terrain tires and heavy-duty engine cooling, increasing the maximum towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. Prices ranged from $35,990 for the LX to $53,185 for the SX Prestige with the X-Pro package, excluding the destination charge. The SX Prestige with the X-Line package, featuring Wolf Gray paint and floor mats, had an MSRP of $54,270, including the $1,365 destination charge.

The Telluride's design attracted buyers with its appealing forms and proportions, despite mixed reactions to last year's styling updates. The Wolf Gray paint complemented the blacked-out X-Line styling, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the test car featured a black interior with premium Nappa leather seats, though other color options like Mahogany brown, Terracotta brown, light gray over black or dark blue, and Sage Green were available, each complementing the simulated open-pore wood trim. The interior's lower portions were covered in shiny plastic, which was a downside, especially in the SX Prestige trim. However, the soft leather, artificial suede headliner, 24-inch dual-screen digital display panel, metallic accents, and thoughtful details nearly met luxury SUV standards.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two trim levels, with the First Edition no longer offered. The base model, named the 1958, paid homage to the year the model was first sold in the US, featuring a retro look with round headlights, cloth seats, basic equipment, and three paint colors. Priced at $58,195, it offered a $4,770 savings compared to the more modern and upscale Land Cruiser model, which was priced at $62,965. The Land Cruiser trim added more color options, a nicer interior with larger screens, and essential off-roading hardware and software. The Premium Package, available with this trim, included leather and additional tech features.

The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, featured Heritage Blue and Grayscape paint, 20-inch wheels, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and an accessory roof rack, bringing the MSRP to $71,004, including the $1,495 destination charge. Heritage Blue was one of the two non-black, white, or gray colors available, with Trail Dust (gold) being the other. The Land Cruiser's traditional two-box SUV design maximized off-road clearances, visibility, and space for passengers and cargo. The interior was utilitarian, with traditional switchgear, but the Java-colored leather added a desirable contrast. The dual 12.3-inch digital driver and infotainment screens enhanced its technological appeal. The steering-wheel controls were intuitive, especially compared to those in the Lexus RX.

The 2024 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. Most Tellurides could tow up to 5,000 pounds, but the X-Pro package increased this capacity to 5,500 pounds with heavy-duty engine cooling. The AWD models included a locking center differential and a Snow driving mode, alongside the standard Comfort, Sport, and Smart modes. Ground clearance was 8.0 inches in standard spec, rising to 8.4 inches with the X-Line and X-Pro packages, which also added a self-leveling rear suspension.

The Telluride provided ample power for freeway acceleration and passing, though it was not fuel-efficient. The EPA estimated 20 mpg in combined driving for AWD versions, but real-world testing averaged 19 mpg, with city driving returning 17.5 mpg. A hybrid drivetrain was suggested as a future improvement. The driving experience was refined, with standard brake-induced Torque Vectoring Cornering Control and responsive steering. The ride was firm at lower speeds but soft and compliant at higher velocities, absorbing road undulations effectively. Off-road, the Telluride was more capable than expected, handling various terrains with ease.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque through a full-time four-wheel-drive system with electronic locking rear and center differentials, allowing a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Standard features included Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, with the Land Cruiser trim adding Multi-Terrain Select off-roading modes, Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect feature.

The EPA rated the Land Cruiser at 23 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded only 15.7 mpg. Despite its fuel consumption, the Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer. It handled urban and suburban driving well, though it struggled on twisty mountain roads due to its tires and suspension tuning. The suspension absorbed bumps and humps effectively, and the high seating position provided excellent visibility. Off-road, the Land Cruiser was capable, with features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Crawl Control enhancing its performance. However, acceleration was modest, and the ride exhibited noticeable motions during hard braking and cornering.

The 2024 Kia Telluride offered a comfortable interior, especially in higher trims. The SX Prestige X-Line test vehicle featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar massage, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, and a third-row seat suitable for adults. A dual sunroof panel added light to the interior. The controls were oriented horizontally, with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that was user-friendly. However, metallic finish buttons were hard to read in bright sunlight.

The Telluride included thoughtful details, such as a digital instrumentation panel with changing scenic landscapes and generous storage space. A hands-free power liftgate was available, though its automatic opening feature could be inconvenient in certain situations. Cargo space was ample, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet. The X-Line and X-Pro packages offered useful roof rails for additional storage.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, when upgraded from the 1958 model, featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. The front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The running boards could be cumbersome for taller individuals.

The Land Cruiser's rear window design was less practical than the 4Runner's, and the center console's cool box was deemed unnecessary. Cargo space was generous, with 46.2 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and 82.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The Kia Connect subscription was necessary for advanced voice recognition. The test vehicle's inactive subscription limited testing, but past experiences indicated good performance. Kia Connect offered various plans, with features like remote engine starting, climate pre-conditioning, and over-the-air updates.

The Telluride included satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Thoughtful features like a blue-light filter, Quiet Mode, and a digital key function enhanced convenience. A camera-based rearview mirror and a 10-inch head-up display were available, along with a 360-degree camera system. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a useful addition for traffic situations.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, when upgraded, featured two 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Five connected service plans were available, with Drive Connect providing cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The voice recognition system performed well in testing.

The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology. These features enhanced the Land Cruiser's technological appeal, though some, like the wireless charger, should have been standard.

The 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard Kia Drive Wise collection of driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear occupant protection. Highway Driving Assist provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities. Safety feature upgrades varied by trim, with options like front parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor system.

The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, ensuring optimum protection in the event of a collision.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering advanced driving assistance systems like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving aid. Additional features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and Predictive Driving Assist.

The Land Cruiser's safety features varied in effectiveness, with some requiring manual overrides in challenging conditions. The front cross-traffic alert system proved valuable in daily driving. The NHTSA awarded the Land Cruiser a four-star overall rating, with five stars in side-impact testing but a three-star rollover resistance rating.