Lincoln Nautilus vs Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus presented a stately and sophisticated appearance, characterized by its distinctive grille with a hint of horse collar design. The grille's mesh was black across all models, but the Lincoln star trim elements varied in chrome, copper, or black, depending on the trim level or appearance package. A prominent Lincoln logo adorned the centre, flanked by squinting eye-slit headlights with winged LED light signatures. The body of the Nautilus sat wide and proud, featuring a contrasting black roof and pillars. Integrated door handles along the shoulder line maintained a sleek profile, while a spear-shaped design element along the upper doors added a touch of elegance. The rear boasted a spoiler and a full-width taillight within a black trim piece, complemented by standard 19-inch alloy wheels, with options for larger sizes. Inside, the Nautilus adopted a high-end look with a unique layout, featuring a large 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, which required a lowered steering wheel with a flat top. The interior offered a stepped design, starting with a low-set centre console and culminating in the wide display screen. The base Premiere trim provided synthetic leather upholstery, while the Reserve trim upgraded to leather with additional colour options.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid showcased a bold reinterpretation of design, which could polarize opinions among shoppers. Its grille, spanning the entire width of the front end, had a flat and almost faceless look that divided opinions. The Telluride's personality shifted significantly with different colours and trim levels, with body-coloured vertical strakes at each edge. In lighter paint colours, these strakes appeared jarring, while they blended more harmoniously in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced the strakes with rectangular grille blocks, both featuring distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile continued the boldness with unique faceted and angular fender sculpting, and unusual 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 with a modern appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though the labeling on the buttons was difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided comfort, though the cushions were somewhat flat and firm. Surrounding material quality was excellent, with various trim surfaces available, including engineered wood and carbon fibre.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus offered modest power for its price, with a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for a typical midsize SUV, luxury buyers expected more from a vehicle weighing over 2,000 kilograms. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The hybrid variant, which was tested, used the same engine with a larger turbo and an electric motor, boosting output to 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It employed a continuously variable transmission, providing a smooth and quiet ride. The Nautilus focused on serene comfort rather than sportiness, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. The Reserve trim added adaptive dampers for a softer ride. The Nautilus offered various drive modes, with Excite mode firming up the dampers for more control. Despite its size, the ride remained smooth, even with the largest 22-inch wheels.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid variant added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a six-speed transmission. The Telluride Hybrid provided ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. Both Telluride models prioritized comfort, delivering a smooth ride. The X-Pro model, with its off-road suspension, was surprisingly comfortable, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride's handling was composed and controllable, instilling confidence on winding roads. The brake pedal effort was soft, requiring some adjustment, but brake response was immediate in panic stops.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus prioritized comfort for both front and second-row passengers. It came standard with power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, and more. Ventilated front seats, 24-way power front seats with massage, and heated rear seats were available. The second row offered excellent space, with 1,095 millimetres of legroom and sculpted seats. Cargo space was generous, with 1,030 litres with the rear seats upright and 2,020 litres when folded flat. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free version available.

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, offering comfort comparable to a business-class airline seat. The middle-row seats had significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride offered 631 litres of cargo space behind the third row, increasing to 1,379 litres with the seatbacks folded. The hybrid models lost only about 30 litres of cargo capacity. The Telluride could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, or 2,040 kilograms for the hybrid. The interior featured various storage options, including a large centre bin and deployable cupholders.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus featured a full-width, 48-inch screen displaying essential information, with an 11.1-inch lower touchscreen for infotainment controls. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, satellite radio, and a wireless smartphone charger. Lincoln offered a 14-speaker Revel system and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D unit. The Nautilus also included Digital Scent perfume spritzing and Lincoln Rejuvenate relaxation programs. The steering wheel had five-way controllers for cruise control and voice controls.

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. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and a native navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it required a firm tap to register. The Telluride offered a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, with lower trims featuring an eight-speaker system.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus was equipped with standard safety features, including a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, lane centring steering, and more. Lincoln BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system, was also standard. The Nautilus earned a perfect five stars from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's highway driving assist was particularly helpful, though the driver attention monitor occasionally triggered unnecessarily.