2020 Kia Telluride vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

Kia had traditionally been seen as a producer of economically viable yet design-limited automobiles. The past five years, however, saw a remarkable transformation, positioning the Kia Telluride as potentially their first class-leading vehicle. The Telluride managed to exude an aura of luxury surpassing its price point. Nevertheless, the oversized Kia badge on its grille perhaps detracted from its sophisticated look. The vehicle's design was a collaboration led by Kia's chief U.S. designer, who openly acknowledged the outdated appearance of the emblem. Any preconceived notions about Kia's quality simply didn’t apply to this refined SUV.

With a design much more aesthetically pleasing than Kia’s past models such as the Soul, Sportage, and Sorento, the Telluride stood out. Its footprint suggested premium quality, reminiscent of the boxy form of a Chevy combined with the sleek lines of a Volvo. The front of the Telluride featured wide-spaced vertical headlights above thin air intakes, flanking a silver mesh grille and two lower black cutouts. The vehicle displayed an upscale, minimalist design accentuated by LED running lights doubling as amber turn signals, hockey stick-shaped taillights, and prominent "TELLURIDE" badging. This design language was deliberate, borrowing elements from high-end SUVs while preserving its unique character.

Inside, the Telluride offered an ambiance akin to a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Twin grab handles on the center console, wide air vents, a large touchscreen, matte wood trims, and silver buttons and knobs all pointed towards a luxurious feel. However, closer inspection revealed cost-saving measures like hard plastic on lower sections of the dash. Still, the interior was inviting, with a fit and finish that belied its actual cost. Upper trims boasted Nappa leather seats, adjustable screens, and other premium materials. The SX trim with the Prestige Package, featuring Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner, made the Telluride seem like a much more expensive vehicle.

Unlike the more understated approach of the Kia Telluride, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator embraced its luxury status with grandeur. Replete with chrome and distinct design elements, it distinguished itself significantly from its Ford Expedition roots. The Navigator featured unique front and rear styling, alongside the Lincoln Embrace exterior lighting that sequentially illuminated to welcome its owner.

Central to its design was a lattice-type grille insert that echoed the shape of the Lincoln star logo, along with an illuminated star at its center. Additional touches like fender vents and full-width taillights set it apart, all emphasized by black roof pillars that created a wraparound glass appearance. The introduction of the Reserve Monochromatic Package in 2020 further enhanced its bespoke look, offering body-color grille and side mirror enhancements along with 22-inch black-painted wheels, exclusive to certain paint colors. Buyers could choose between the standard Navigator, the top-tier Navigator Black Label, and the Reserve trim seen on the test vehicle priced at $92,385 with options included.

Inside, luxurious 30-way Perfect Position seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions underscored a commitment to comfort. The mid-century modern styled dashboard with digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and wide storage consoles added to its opulence. The Navigator's interior utilized high-quality materials and provided abundant natural light via a panoramic roof, reinforcing its status as a luxury flagship SUV.

The Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The power could be directed to either the front wheels or all four wheels, with AWD available as a $2,000 option on every trim. The transmission could be manually shifted via the gear selector, and a Sport mode kept the gearbox in lower gears for sharper responsiveness. However, this response was sometimes inconsistent and delayed, particularly noticeable when trying to pass slower traffic. Additionally, the transmission’s shifts occasionally felt rough compared to other competitors with similar 8-speed automatics.

Despite these quirks, the V6 had enough power to move the Telluride's substantial weight briskly. The braking system was strong with a firm pedal feel, although the steering was slow with noticeable body lean. Unlike more agile luxury SUVs, the Telluride prioritized a smooth ride, assisted by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation that effectively muffled wind noise. Off-road features included an axle-lock for a 50-50 power split between front and rear, and a snow mode for optimal winter driving. Towing capacity, with the optional $795 Towing package, matched the Honda Pilot's 5,000 pounds. Fuel economy was reasonably efficient at an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined, with front-wheel-drive models achieving slightly better figures.

The Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a more powerful twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque—50 more horsepower and 30 additional lb-ft of torque than its Ford Expedition counterpart. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that sent power to the rear wheels or all four wheels, depending on the drivetrain choice.

Driving modes—including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb (with the optional towing package)—allowed customization of the powertrain to suit various driving conditions. The Navigator’s towing prowess was evident with a maximum capacity of 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist system simplified trailer maneuvering via a dashboard knob that controlled steering.

Acceleration from the twin-turbo V6 was robust, and the engine note was subtle but assertive. However, those seeking the signature V8 sound might miss the deeper resonance. The Navigator's fuel economy, though, was less impressive, averaging 16.4 mpg on the testing loop against an EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined. Despite 22-inch wheels and adaptive damping suspension, the Navigator experienced impact harshness on imperfect roads, especially in Excite mode, although its body motion control was commendable. Maneuverability was aided by a tight turning radius, parking assist, and multiple camera views, but its size was more suited to open roads.

The Telluride offered versatile seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and EX trims accommodated eight, while the S trim had an eight-seat option for $100, and the SX trim seated seven with second-row captain's chairs. The SX trim also added heating and cooling for the second-row seats, manual side-window shades, and a third climate zone, enhancing passenger comfort. With air vents, USB ports, and cupholders for both second and third rows, the Telluride maximized its cabin's utility and comfort.

Cargo capacity was practical with 21 cubic feet of space behind the third row and up to 87 cubic feet with all seats folded flat. The second row provided ample space, able to fold flat via pull straps or buttons in the cargo area. Even the third row offered reasonable comfort for adults, provided second-row passengers adjusted their seats.

In terms of infotainment, the Telluride included analog gauges, and an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims, with a larger 10.3-inch screen available on EX and SX models. The 7-inch screen on the SX's instrument panel could display navigation, audio, and driver-assist features, complemented by a color head-up display.

Entering the Navigator required ascending, akin to climbing a short flight of stairs, though power running boards helped. The interior, especially equipped with the Luxury Package, offered phenomenal comfort with 30-way adjustable front seats, allowing detailed customization and memory settings for the perfect position. Adjustability extended to power pedals and a heated steering wheel.

For the second row, buyers could choose between a bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter offering an optional large center console with audio controls. Triple-zone climate control, along with heated rear seats, ensured comfort across all rows. The third row provided class-leading legroom and thigh support, making it accommodating even for taller passengers.

Cargo capacity was generous, with the standard-length model offering 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet. The long-wheelbase Navigator L increased these capacities to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively, positioning the Navigator as a leader in cargo space.

The Telluride came standard with modern tech, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link for features like remote location and unlocking via an app. It also had a proximity key. Upper trims featured navigation with voice input, albeit less frequent updates from local HD Radio stations compared to systems using SiriusXM. An absence of onboard WiFi, despite a cellular modem, was a notable omission.

Noteworthy tech included a live blind-spot feed on the instrument cluster when signaling (available on the SX), Highway Driving Assist for limited autonomous driving on marked highways (EX and SX), and a quiet mode to focus audio in the front. The SX trim also featured dual moonroofs and an advanced Harman Kardon surround sound system, though the base 6-speaker system seemed insufficient for the vehicle's size.

The Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system, although equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, was sluggish compared to newer systems. However, future updates from Ford’s Sync 4 platform promised improvements. The system included a useful voice recognition feature but required specific command pathways.

"Phone As A Key" technology, allowing smartphone-enabled vehicle access and operation, and the 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system (part of the Reserve’s Luxury Package) provided a superior audio experience. Additional features included a head-up display, surround-view camera system, and, option-wise, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with streaming capabilities and wireless headphones.

At the time of evaluation, the Telluride had yet to be crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but expectations were high for top safety scores. Standard safety features included forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and auto braking, lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, and adaptive cruise control. The Safe Exit Assist feature used the blind-spot system to prevent passengers from opening rear doors when it wasn’t safe. Optional safety tech included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors. A driver's knee airbag was standard, but curiously, there was no knee airbag for the front passenger.

Lincoln’s Co-Pilot360 suite offered comprehensive standard safety technology, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability.

During testing, the Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated smoothly and the lane-keeping assist was both subtle and effective. Lane-departure warning provided a steering wheel vibration that was sometimes hard to detect due to road surface vibrations.

NHTSA awarded the Navigator a five-star overall safety rating. However, the rear-wheel-drive model's rollover resistance was rated at three stars. IIHS had not yet tested the 2020 model.