2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Kia Telluride was a significant departure from Kia's previous reputation for producing merely adequate vehicles. It presented a design that appeared more expensive than its price tag suggested, although the prominent Kia badge was seen as a detractor from its upscale appearance. The Telluride's exterior design was a blend of boxy and fluid elements, reminiscent of high-end SUVs, with distinctive features like amber LED running lights and large "TELLURIDE" badges. Inside, the Telluride offered a surprisingly luxurious feel, with elements like matte wood and silver-painted buttons, although some materials were not as premium as they appeared. The SX trim, in particular, impressed with Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner, making it feel like a much more expensive vehicle than its actual cost of $46,930.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was a statement of elegance and understatement, despite its massive size. It shared some structural elements with the Ford Expedition but distinguished itself with unique design features and a luxurious interior. The Navigator's exterior was defined by simple rectilinear shapes and tasteful chrome accents, while the interior boasted seven color palettes and high-quality materials. The Black Label trims offered even more luxurious touches, and the Perfect Position seats provided unparalleled comfort with 30 different adjustments. The Navigator's interior space was vast, and it offered a refined driving experience, although it lacked some of the advanced suspension features found in competitors like the Cadillac Escalade.

The 2020 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter being a $2,000 upgrade. While the Telluride's power was sufficient for its size, the transmission's response was sometimes delayed, and the steering and handling were not as sharp as some luxury competitors. However, it provided a smooth ride with strong braking and decent off-road capabilities, including a snow mode and axle-lock feature. The Telluride's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, and its fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a powerful twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The Navigator offered both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options, with a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds for RWD models. While its fuel economy was not impressive, averaging in the teens, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power. The adaptive dampers provided a comfortable ride, although not as sophisticated as some competitors, and the steering and brakes lacked the precision found in the Cadillac Escalade.

The 2020 Kia Telluride offered seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim, with generous space in the second row and a tolerable third row for adults. It provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up and 87 cubic feet with them folded. The interior featured analog controls and a user-friendly infotainment system, with upper trims offering larger screens and additional features like a head-up display.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a spacious interior with seating for up to eight passengers, although the third row's middle seat was best suited for children. It offered 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 103 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Navigator's interior was luxurious, with highly adjustable front seats and excellent visibility. However, parking could be challenging due to its size, despite the presence of 360-degree cameras.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, allowing remote access via an app. Upper trims offered advanced navigation features and a Harman Kardon surround stereo. However, the lack of onboard WiFi and less frequent traffic updates were noted shortcomings.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen and a 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo. While the technology felt slightly dated compared to newer competitors, it offered intuitive software, voice recognition, and onboard 4G WiFi. The Navigator also included a smartwatch app and smartphone ignition key functionality, along with rear entertainment options.

The 2020 Kia Telluride had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations at the time, but it was expected to receive high ratings. It came standard with a comprehensive suite of active driver assists, including forward-collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included surround-view cameras and front parking sensors.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for rollover resistance. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist, with optional adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked knee airbags and some advanced self-steering capabilities found in competitors.