2025 Lexus GX vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Lexus GX underwent a significant redesign, presenting a striking departure from its predecessors. Its exterior was characterized by a boxy, old-school Land Rover-inspired shape, complemented by LED headlights and a tastefully sized grille. The Overtrail+ model featured 33-inch tires on matte grey 18-inch wheels, rock rails, and a distinctive Earth brown color. Inside, the GX exuded luxury with its clean and elegant design, quality switchgear, and chic dashboard layout. The seats, upholstered in NuLuxe faux leather, offered heating, ventilation, and massaging functions, while the head-up display provided excellent visibility. The spacious interior accommodated tall drivers comfortably, and the elevated ride height enhanced overall visibility.

In contrast, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid showcased a bold and potentially polarizing design. Its grille spanned the entire front end, and the body-colored vertical strakes varied in appearance depending on the paint color. The X-Line and X-Pro models featured distinctive grille blocks and amber accent lights. The side profile displayed unique fender sculpting and black plastic tabs, while the rear view resembled a Range Rover with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride's interior was simple and modern, with a horizontal dashboard layout. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though the silver buttons and cream-colored infotainment shortcuts were challenging to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided comfort but had firm cushions that could be uncomfortable on long drives.

The 2025 Lexus GX was powered by a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine, delivering 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, enabling the GX to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds. Despite its 5,666-pound curb weight, the GX felt faster than expected, with ample power throughout the rev band. However, its fuel economy was a downside, with an EPA rating of 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. The GX excelled in off-road conditions, with features like a locking center differential, crawl control, and downhill assist, making it a formidable off-road performer.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system provided a smooth and quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The Telluride Hybrid offered a comfortable and composed ride, with the X-Pro Prestige trim delivering surprising comfort despite its off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride's handling was confident, though not particularly sporty, and the brake pedal required some adjustment. Overall, the Telluride Hybrid provided a refined driving experience with ample power and comfort.

The 2025 Lexus GX offered a spacious interior with generous headroom and legroom for front and rear passengers. The absence of a third row in the Overtrail trim allowed for a massive 90.5 cubic feet of cargo space, making it ideal for adventure and camping trips. The GX's towing capacity of 9,063 pounds further enhanced its versatility. Despite its size, the GX was relatively easy to maneuver and park, thanks to its manageable dimensions.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the third row was better suited for smaller passengers. The second-row seats in the Hybrid SX Prestige trim were power-adjustable and offered heating and ventilation. The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with up to 89.3 cubic feet of space with the second and third rows folded. The Hybrid models had slightly reduced cargo space but still offered practicality. The Telluride's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, or 4,500 for the Hybrid, making it suitable for moderate towing needs.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio system provided good audio quality, though it required higher volume levels at highway speeds. The GX's tech package included multiple USB-C ports and a spacious armrest storage compartment.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control screen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. While the infotainment system was generally easy to use, it occasionally experienced delays and required firm taps. The Telluride offered customizable themes for the infotainment screen and featured a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system in higher trims.

The 2025 Lexus GX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, road sign assist, lane-departure alert, automatic high-beams, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. The Overtrail+ trim added pedestrian detection. The GX featured a 360-degree camera system and trail-viewing cameras for enhanced visibility. As of this writing, the GX had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA but included 10 airbags for occupant protection.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking proximity sensors, highway driving assist, and rear passenger sensors/reminders. Higher trims added a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, side parking proximity sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's driver attention monitor occasionally triggered false alerts at night, and the blind-spot cameras were considered distracting. The highway driving assist was praised for its effectiveness on long trips.