2023 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus was an attractive SUV, boasting a design that was neither awkward nor plain. Lincoln added enough detailing to give the Nautilus plenty of character, ensuring it stood out without being overly flashy. Approaching the SUV after dark, drivers were greeted by a Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence, adding a touch of elegance. The interior of our test vehicle featured light grey premium leather upholstery, with other options like sandstone, dark brown, and black available. Despite its overall decadent feel, the centre console design and some chrome-plated plastic pieces appeared somewhat cheap.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Telluride offered fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. New paint colours such as Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, along with interior colours like Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green, provided a modern aesthetic. The Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring unique grille designs, raised roof rails, and distinctive wheel options. The interior updates were subtle, with a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a curved 24-inch piece of glass, pushing the Telluride into a more futuristic realm.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive in Canada. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 engine was available, producing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque for an additional $4,000. The Nautilus offered Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, adjusting powertrain behaviour, steering effort, and adaptive suspension. The twin-turbo V6 had a fuel consumption rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a maximum range of 730 kilometres on the highway. Over 1,400 kilometres, it averaged 9.4 L/100 km.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting. The Telluride X-Line averaged 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, while the X-Pro returned 11.5 L/100 km, including off-roading. The Telluride's suspension was raised by 10 mm, improving ground clearance and off-road performance. The X-Pro model featured 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and an improved cooling system, increasing towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, occupants found smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet drive thanks to Active Noise Control. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. Optional 22-way power front seats offered massage programs and adjustable features for comfort. However, the Nautilus was cramped for a midsize SUV, with tight legroom in the rear. Cargo space was 1,055 litres behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,948 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, with premium Nappa leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats. The second row featured manual sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets. A button on the second-row seats facilitated access to the third row, which was more comfortable than many competitors. The Telluride offered a "smart" power tailgate and generous cargo space, with 601 litres behind the third row, 1,304 litres with the third row folded, and 2,455 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The system offered over-the-air updates, a connected navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. Phone as a Key technology allowed smartphones to unlock and start the Nautilus.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. It supported over-the-air updates and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. The Telluride included Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. New digital-key technology allowed smartphones or smartwatches to act as the vehicle's key. A Full Display rear-view mirror and an optional head-up display were also available.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Black Label added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera, and rear parking sensors. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning system, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. It also featured adaptive cruise control, Highway Drive Assist, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. The Telluride was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.