Compare the2026 Lincoln NavigatorVS 2025 Kia Telluride

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lincoln Navigator have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Telluride doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Navigator has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Telluride doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Navigator. But it costs extra on the Telluride.

Both the Navigator and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Lincoln Navigator weighs 1474 to 1882 pounds more than the Kia Telluride. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Navigator’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Telluride runs out after 100,000 miles.

The Navigator has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Telluride doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

The Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 149 more horsepower (440 vs. 291) and 248 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lincoln Navigator is faster than the Kia Telluride:

	Navigator	Telluride
Zero to 30 MPH	1.8 sec	2.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.1 sec	7.2 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	8.4 sec	11.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13 sec	17.7 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	2.6 sec	3.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	102 MPH	92.9 MPH

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Navigator’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Telluride doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Navigator has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride (23.6 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Navigator has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Telluride doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lincoln Navigator, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Telluride.

For better stopping power the Navigator’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Telluride:

	Navigator	Telluride
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.2 inches	12 inches

The Navigator’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Telluride are solid, not vented.

The Navigator stops shorter than the Telluride:

	Navigator	Telluride
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Navigator has larger standard tires than the Telluride (275/50R22 vs. 245/60R18). The Navigator Black Label’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (285/40R24 vs. 245/60R18).

The Navigator’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Telluride LX/X-Pro’s standard 60 series tires. The Navigator Black Label’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Telluride S/EX/SX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Navigator has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Telluride LX/X-Pro. The Navigator Black Label’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Telluride S/EX/SX.

The Lincoln Navigator’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia Telluride only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Navigator has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Telluride’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Navigator’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Telluride doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Navigator’s wheelbase is 8.3 inches longer than on the Telluride (122.5 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Navigator’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the Telluride’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Navigator more stable handling and braking.

The Navigator Black Label handles at .79 G’s, while the Telluride SX 4x4 pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Navigator Black Label executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Telluride SX 4x4 (27.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Navigator has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Telluride (8.9 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Navigator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Navigator’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the Telluride X-Line (8.9 vs. 8.4 inches).

The Navigator uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Telluride doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Navigator has 17.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Telluride (172.1 vs. 155).

The Navigator has 2.1 inches more front legroom, 3 inches more front hip room, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room, 3.7 inches more rear hip room, 3.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 12.1 inches more third row legroom, 7.7 inches more third row hip room and 8.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the Telluride.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the Navigator when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the tailgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The Telluride doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The Navigator’s cargo area provides more volume than the Telluride.

	Navigator	Telluride
Behind Third Seat	22.9 cubic feet	21 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	60.8 cubic feet	46 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	107 cubic feet	87 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Navigator easier. The Navigator’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29 inches, while the Telluride’s liftover is 30.7 inches.

The Navigator’s cargo area is larger than the Telluride’s in almost every dimension:

	Navigator	Telluride
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	24”/48”/86.8”	20.4”/49.8”/83.8”
Max Width	51.5”	54.4”
Min Width	51”	43.5”
Height	37”	34.5”

Both the Navigator and the Telluride have standard second row automatic folding seats. The Navigator’s third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a button. The Telluride doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

The Navigator’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Telluride’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Navigator’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Telluride’s (6200 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Telluride is only 5000 pounds. The Navigator offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Navigator with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Navigator can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Telluride can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The engine in the Navigator is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Telluride. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

If the windows are left open on the Navigator the driver can close all of them from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Telluride can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Navigator’s exterior PIN entry system. The Telluride doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Navigator’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Telluride doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Navigator’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Telluride’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Navigator has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Telluride doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Navigator also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Navigator’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Telluride offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Lincoln Navigator has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Telluride EX/SX.

The Navigator has standard heated front, second and third row seats (third row heated seats on Black Label), which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Kia doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Telluride.

The Navigator has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Telluride.

The Navigator (except Premiere) offers optional massaging front and rear seats (rear massaging seats standard on Black Label). Massaging seats aren’t available in the Telluride.

The Navigator’s standard oscillating air vents move back and forth and distribute air evenly inside the vehicle, making everyone more comfortable. The Telluride doesn’t offer oscillating vents.

The Lincoln Navigator has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the driver’s visor. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Kia charges extra for Homelink® on the Telluride.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lincoln Navigator has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Telluride S/EX/SX offers wireless charging. The Navigator also offers Qi charging in the second row seat. The Telluride doesn’t offer wireless charging in its second row seat.