2021 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels in Canada, all featuring standard all-wheel drive: EX, SX, SX Limited, and SX Limited Nightsky Edition. The base pricing ranged from $46,195 to $55,695, excluding destination charges. The Telluride EX was noted for its value, but many opted for the SX Limited trim, which offered luxury features like premium stitched Nappa leather and a head-up display. The SX Limited Nightsky Edition introduced a blacked-out aesthetic with unique design elements. The Telluride's styling was widely praised, with its exterior and interior design receiving high marks for quality and contemporary execution. However, the interior colour options were limited, with light grey leather only available on the SX Limited trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end received a restyle, which some felt reduced its elegance. Inside, the Navigator continued to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring the new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The Navigator's interior was further enhanced by a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen. The SUV was available in standard and long-wheelbase styles, with the Reserve trim being the sole option in Canada. The Navigator's interior was noted for its comfort, with features like massaging seats and a spacious third row.

The 2021 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured Kia's Drive Mode Select technology, offering various driving modes, and an AWD system with a low-speed Lock function for enhanced traction. The Telluride's suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth ride. It had a self-levelling rear suspension on higher trims and offered commendable grip with its 20-inch wheels. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 L/100 km in combined driving, with test results showing 11.5 L/100 km.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered impressive towing capacity, ranging from 3,674 to 3,765 kilograms, depending on configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension featured Road Preview technology, enhancing ride quality. Despite its size, the Navigator handled well, with its 22-inch wheels providing ample grip. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 L/100 km, with test results showing 12.6 L/100 km.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated, ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs offered heating and ventilation, and the third-row seat was accessible and usable for adults. The Telluride provided ample storage and cargo space, with a smart hands-free power liftgate and a maximum cargo capacity of 2,455 litres.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator offered exceptional comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats and available massaging function. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging. The third-row seat was spacious and comfortable, thanks to the independent rear suspension. The Navigator provided generous storage and cargo space, with a maximum capacity of 2,925 litres, or 3,403 litres in the long-wheelbase version.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. It supported dual smartphone pairing and wireless charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice-recognition system had room for improvement. A 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was standard on higher trims, and a head-up display was available.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen. It supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with a user-friendly interface. The voice recognition system was improved, though not perfect. The Navigator also featured an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV and an optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and forward-collision avoidance. It also offered adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system on higher trims. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, despite a 4-star frontal-impact result.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system was standard. ActiveGlide offered semi-autonomous driving capabilities on approved highways. While the system performed well, it required driver attention and did not fully replace human oversight.