2025 Kia Telluride vs 2026 Lexus RX

$36,390 · Crossover

$49,725 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Telluride bursts onto the scene prioritizing raw power with 291 hp and a compelling entry price of $36,390, offering excellent bang for the buck in a large frame (196.9 inches long). Conversely, the 2026 Lexus RX counters with refined efficiency and premium feel, despite a significant $13,335 MSRP gap, starting at $49,725. The Lexus showcases superior efficiency, achieving 25 MPG combined versus the Kia's 22 MPG combined, and boasts a more accommodating 29.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Telluride’s 21 cu ft. While the Telluride offers more horsepower at 291 hp, the RX brings superior low-end grunt with 317 lb-ft of torque. For drivers seeking straightforward power and size without the premium badge, the Telluride leads; for those valuing better fuel economy and a slightly tighter footprint, the RX delivers refinement.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Lexus RX

The 2026 Lexus RX wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 25 MPG versus the Telluride's 22 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Lexus RX

The Lexus RX provides significantly more usable space for family gear, offering 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Telluride's 21 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Telluride

The 2025 Kia Telluride excites with a higher peak horsepower rating of 291 hp, suggesting a more spirited acceleration feel.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride presents overwhelming value, costing $13,335 less than the Lexus RX while delivering more horsepower.

Choose the Kia Telluride if...

You need maximum upfront horsepower, as the Telluride delivers 291 hp.
Your budget prioritizes savings, demonstrated by the Telluride's low MSRP of $36,390.
You prefer using regular unleaded fuel instead of premium recommended by the competitor.

Choose the Lexus RX if...

Fuel efficiency is paramount, as the RX achieves a better 29 MPG highway rating.
You require substantial storage, utilizing the RX's class-leading 29.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
You desire more torque for effortless passing power, with the RX offering 317 lb-ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Telluride	Lexus RX
Length	196.9"	192.5"
Width	78.3"	75.6"
Height	68.9"	67.3"
Wheelbase	114.2"	112.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Lexus
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Lexus
Base Engine Displacement	3.8 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	291 hp @ 6000 rpm	275 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm	317 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Lexus
Transmission Type	8-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Lexus
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/26 MPG	22/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	376.0/488.8 mi.	391.6/516.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 gal.	17.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Lexus
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Lexus
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	9.8 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	12
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Lexus
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Lexus
Front Head Room	40.9 in.	39.5 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.6 in.	58.1 in.
Front Hip Room	58.9 in.	56.7 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Lexus
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.4 in.	37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.2 in.	56.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.0 in.	55.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Lexus
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	19 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P245/60R18	✓
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Painted Alloy Wheels	—	✓
Polished Alloy Wheels	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Kia	Lexus
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Lexus
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	6 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ 10000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Telluride and 2026 Lexus RX.

How much more does the 2026 Lexus RX cost than the 2025 Kia Telluride?

There is a substantial MSRP difference; the 2026 Lexus RX starts at $49,725, making it $13,335 more expensive than the 2025 Kia Telluride's starting price of $36,390.

Which crossover is physically larger: the Telluride or the RX?

The 2025 Kia Telluride is physically larger, measuring 196.9 inches in length compared to the Lexus RX's 192.5 inches. However, the RX compensates with a larger cargo hold of 29.6 cu ft versus the Telluride's 21 cu ft.

Does the higher horsepower Kia offer better fuel economy?

No, despite the Kia Telluride having 291 hp versus the Lexus RX's 275 hp, the Lexus is more efficient overall, delivering 25 MPG combined compared to the Kia's 22 MPG combined.

Which vehicle uses cheaper fuel?

The 2025 Kia Telluride is the cheaper vehicle to fuel, requiring regular unleaded gasoline, whereas the 2026 Lexus RX recommends premium unleaded fuel.

Which vehicle provides better pulling power at lower RPMs?

The 2026 Lexus RX will likely feel stronger during initial acceleration due to its superior torque output of 317 lb-ft, surpassing the Telluride's 262 lb-ft.

How do the standard transmissions compare between these two models?

Both vehicles utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission; however, the Lexus RX features a 'shiftable automatic,' offering a slightly more engaging driver interaction than the standard 8-speed automatic in the Telluride.