2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had a distinct elegance and understated luxury that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Its design featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and a few chrome accents, creating a classy appearance. The Pristine White model with black wheels and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were high-quality, and the Black Label trims offered even more luxurious textures and softer leather.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Telluride boasted a muscular design with balanced proportions and trendy blacked-out wheels and trim. Kia made only minor changes to the grille pattern and added new badges for 2022. The Telluride's interior was upscale and organized, with thoughtful details like overhead air vents, rear smartphone storage pouches, and USB ports in the front seatbacks. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner, giving the interior a more expensive feel. Heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, dual sunroof panels, and a Smart Power Liftgate further enhanced the Telluride's appeal.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, made the Navigator feel surprisingly sprightly for its size. The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, and the towing capacity was impressive at 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, and the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors. The Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power, with paddle shifters adding a touch of sportiness.

The 2022 Kia Telluride, powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque, offered a satisfying driving experience. The eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD with Lock mode provided good performance on various terrains. The Telluride's ride quality was supple, and it handled well on dry pavement, thanks to the brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system. The SUV offered multiple driving modes and performed well in snow and muddy conditions. Fuel economy was decent, with the Telluride SX AWD returning 21.1 mpg in combined driving. The towing capacity was 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, with seating for up to eight passengers and a boxy shape that maximized cargo capacity. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children, and the second-row captain's chairs were manually reclining and tilting. Cargo space was generous, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more storage. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with numerous customization options. However, parking the large SUV was challenging, despite the 360-degree cameras.

The 2022 Kia Telluride balanced form and function with an upscale, organized interior. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner, enhancing the cabin's luxurious feel. All three rows of seats were comfortable for adults, though the third row was less preferred. The Telluride offered plenty of storage space, with 21 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet in total. The hands-free power liftgate and flat load floor made it easy to haul large items.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer systems, and the infotainment lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The software was intuitive, with a unique Lincoln interface, but it was slow to react. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connections. Drive mode animations were a nice touch, and the simplicity of the system was a relief compared to more complex competitors.

The 2022 Kia Telluride featured a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and voice recognition. However, it lost wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, requiring a wire for these features. The Telluride included USB charging ports in all three rows and a wireless smartphone charging pad in all but the LX trim. Kia Connect provided connected services, including emergency assistance, remote engine start, and smart speaker integration. The Telluride also had standard Quiet Mode and Driver Talk functions, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not rated the Navigator. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as competitors.

The 2022 Kia Telluride included numerous standard safety features under the Kia Drive Wise umbrella, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Telluride also had Highway Driving Assist, Smart Cruise Control-Curve, and Safe Exit Assist. The Blind-Spot View Monitor technology provided additional safety. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.