2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus presented a sophisticated and streamlined exterior, available in Premiere, Reserve, or Black Label trims. Its design featured a new grille with LED lighting extending through it, illuminating the Lincoln star logo, creating a stunning visual effect. The rear mirrored this horizontal aesthetic with a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports. The interior was equally impressive, highlighted by a full-width screen that served as the crown jewel. The cabin boasted high-quality materials, including open-pore wood and fine leather, complemented by ambient lighting. Despite the traditional piano key shifter style, the overall interior design was luxurious and well-crafted. An optional Jet Appearance Package added further customization with two-tone paint and black exterior trim.

In contrast, the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid showcased a bold reinterpretation of its design, which could polarize opinions. The grille, with its flat, faceless look, spanned the entire width of the front end, while body-colored vertical strakes at each edge altered the vehicle's personality depending on the color and trim level. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile featured angular fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, contributing to its boldness. The rear adopted a different style with rounded corners and vertical taillights, reminiscent of a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, with a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though some controls were difficult to read.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid option, available for an additional $1,500, increased output to 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid also offered a range of over 600 miles. All Nautilus models featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with the hybrid equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that avoided typical droning issues. While not a driver's car, the Nautilus provided a comfortable and capable driving experience.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid variant added electric motors, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed transmission. The Telluride Hybrid offered a quiet and smooth ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The X-Pro Prestige trim provided off-road capabilities, while the Hybrid SX Prestige trim delivered a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride excelled in comfort, with a luxuriously smooth ride and minimal wind noise at highway speeds. It was composed and controllable on winding roads, though not particularly sporty.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats across all trims, with the Black Label model featuring 24-way Perfect Position front seats with massage and extended heating functions. Rear passengers enjoyed 43 inches of legroom, providing ample space for taller individuals. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create different moods. Cargo space was generous, with 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with seats folded down in the Premiere trim. The Nautilus was available only with seating for five, prioritizing cargo space over additional seating.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation in the Hybrid SX Prestige trim, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats allowed for significant seat travel, providing flexibility for cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride offered up to 89.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity with seats folded, and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. The interior featured numerous storage options, including a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and door pockets.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured a massive 48-inch curved display, with a digital dash for the driver and customizable sections for various information. An 11.1-inch touchscreen handled basic infotainment duties, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system included Google maps, Alexa Built-in, and over-the-air updates. However, some controls were distracting, such as the unlabelled steering wheel controls and menu-based vent adjustments. Wireless charging and USB ports were standard throughout the cabin.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and a native navigation system. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, it occasionally required hard taps and had some delays. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride offered customizable infotainment themes and a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system in higher trims.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, such as lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. The Blue Cruise 1.2 technology was available on all trims, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. The 2023 Nautilus received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the 2024 model had not yet been rated.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered standard advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective on longer trips. Crash test scores for the 2027 model were not yet available.