2024 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, a full-size luxury SUV, continued to impress with its imposing presence and luxurious interior, despite not receiving significant updates since its last refresh in 2022. The Navigator's design remained largely unchanged as Lincoln prepared for a future electric version, especially with competitors like Cadillac introducing electric models. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured the Monochromatic Package, which included black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim, adding to its sleek appearance. Inside, the cabin exuded luxury with its black interior, real wood trim, and chrome accents, although some chrome plastic elements fell short of conveying true luxury.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Telluride offered a more rugged yet stylish appeal, especially with the X-Line and X-Pro packages. The Telluride's design updates from the previous year maintained its attractive proportions, and the Wolf Gray paint on the test model complemented the blacked-out X-Line styling. Inside, the Telluride SX Prestige X-Line featured premium Nappa leather seats and a dual sunroof, enhancing the cabin's ambiance. The interior offered various color options, including Mahogany brown and Terracotta brown, which paired well with the simulated open-pore wood trim. Despite some shiny plastic elements, the Telluride's interior nearly met luxury SUV standards.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD drivetrain, the Navigator offered five driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite. However, the SUV's ride quality was less than ideal, with the 22-inch wheels contributing to a truck-like ride over smaller bumps. The Excite mode improved handling but negatively impacted fuel efficiency, with the Navigator averaging 15.6 mpg during testing. Despite its size, the Navigator felt smaller on winding roads, though its nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes.

The 2024 Kia Telluride, equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The SUV's eight-speed automatic transmission and available AWD with a locking center differential provided a smooth driving experience. The Telluride's towing capacity reached 5,500 pounds with the X-Pro package. While not the most fuel-efficient, averaging 19 mpg during testing, the Telluride excelled in driving dynamics. Its Torque Vectoring Cornering Control and responsive steering made it feel more athletic in curves. The ride was firm at lower speeds but compliant at higher velocities, absorbing road undulations effectively.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across three rows and an available extended body style for increased cargo capacity. The test vehicle featured Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, ensuring comfort for long journeys. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample space and easy access to the third row, accommodating taller adults comfortably. Storage space was generous, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

In the 2024 Kia Telluride, comfort was a priority, especially in higher trim levels like the SX Prestige X-Line. The test vehicle boasted premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and a third-row seat suitable for adults. The dual sunroof added light to the interior, while the horizontal control layout and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system ensured ease of use. The Telluride offered thoughtful details, such as a scenic digital instrumentation panel and generous storage options. The hands-free power liftgate provided convenience, and the SUV's cargo space was ample, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 87 cubic feet.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a range of digital displays, including a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sync 4 system offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition. The test vehicle's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System delivered impressive sound quality. However, the wireless smartphone charger caused the phone to overheat. The Navigator also included Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment, though it went unused by passengers who preferred their smartphones.

The 2024 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, requiring a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The test vehicle's Kia Connect subscription was inactive, limiting voice recognition testing. Kia Connect offered various plans, with features like remote engine starting and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Telluride's tech highlights included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a blue-light filter for the infotainment display, and a digital key function. The SUV also featured a camera-based rearview mirror and a 10-inch head-up display, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) through the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Drive packages. Notable features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. However, BlueCruise struggled with certain driving conditions, requiring driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Kia Telluride impressed with its standard Kia Drive Wise collection of driver assistance features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Highway Driving Assist 2.0 added automatic lane changing, though it performed best in specific conditions. The Telluride received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, ensuring optimal protection in the event of a collision.