Lincoln Aviator vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator was a luxurious take on the Ford Explorer, offering a premium feel with its rear-wheel-drive unibody platform. Its exterior design was elegant, featuring a long dash-to-axle ratio, a slightly raked profile, and large 20–22-inch wheels. The reverse-horseshoe grille, adorned with chrome jewelry in the shape of the Lincoln logo, was flanked by LED headlights. The sides showcased an "Aviator" badge and subtly sculpted flanks, while the rear boasted a full-width LED taillight and "Lincoln" lettering. Inside, the Aviator's interior was its main attraction, especially in the Black Label trim, which offered upgraded leather in curated themes like Flight, Moonbeam, and Invitation, each with unique materials and design elements.

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

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator prioritized passenger comfort with a smooth ride and ample power. It was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 383 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Aviator could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds, with smooth transmission shifts. The ride was forgiving, with adaptive dampers tuned for comfort, though it exhibited body lean through corners. An optional Air Glide suspension added control and could adjust ride height for different driving conditions. The Aviator could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it suitable for midsize boats or campers.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a six-speed transmission and offered a smooth, quiet ride. The Hybrid's transition between electric and gas power was seamless, and it delivered a luxuriously smooth ride. The X-Pro Prestige trim, with its off-road suspension, was surprisingly comfortable, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required adjustment. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds (4,500 for the Hybrid), making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The Black Label trim featured a 30-way power-adjustable driver's seat with massagers. The Aviator seated up to seven, with second-row captain's chairs providing good space. The third row was less hospitable for adults, with limited legroom. Cargo space was generous, with 16.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 75.9 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

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 Hybrid SX Prestige trim featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation. The middle-row seats offered significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride could hold up to 22.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, expanding to 89.3 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds (4,500 for the Hybrid).

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator featured a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5.8-inch second-row touchscreen. The Lincoln Digital Experience included apps like Google Assistant and the Google Play store. Standard tech features included a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, digital key functionality, and a 10-speaker audio system. The Reserve trim added a head-up display and a Revel 14-speaker audio system, while the Black Label featured a high-end Revel 28-speaker audio system.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and a native navigation system. The system was easy to use, though it required a firm tap to register inputs. The Telluride SX trim and above featured a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, delivering powerful bass and clear tones.

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator came standard with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 system, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Aviator earned a perfect five-star rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, though it lacked a rating for its headlights.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard advanced safety features like 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 Telluride's highway driving assist was particularly helpful, though the driver attention monitor had operational issues at night.