Compare the2027 Lincoln Navigator VS 2027 Kia Telluride

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.

Both the Navigator and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, driver alert monitors and available all-wheel drive.

The Lincoln Navigator weighs 512 to 1635 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 166 more horsepower (440 vs. 274) and 199 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 311) than the Telluride’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 111 more horsepower (440 vs. 329) and 171 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 339) than the Telluride’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lincoln Navigator is faster than the Kia Telluride 4 cyl. hybrid gas:

	Navigator	Telluride
Zero to 30 MPH	1.8 sec	2.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.1 sec	6.6 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	8.4 sec	10.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13 sec	16.2 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	2.6 sec	3.3 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	14.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	102 MPH	96 MPH

The Navigator has 5.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (23.6 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Navigator has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride’s standard fuel tank (23.6 vs. 19 gallons).

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	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.2 inches	12.8 inches

The Navigator stops shorter than the Telluride:

	Navigator	Telluride
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Navigator has larger standard tires than the Telluride (275/50R22 vs. 235/65R18). The Navigator Reserve/Black Label’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (285/40R24 vs. 265/45R21).

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/EX Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires. The Navigator Reserve/Black Label’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Telluride X-Line’s 45 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 X-Pro. The Navigator Reserve/Black Label’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Telluride X-Line.

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 5.6 inches longer than on the Telluride (122.5 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

The Navigator’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the Telluride’s (53% to 47%). This gives the Navigator more stable handling and braking.

The Navigator Black Label handles at .79 G’s, while the Telluride SX Prestige pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Navigator Black Label executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Telluride SX Prestige (27.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Navigator has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Telluride (9.2 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the Navigator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Navigator’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the Telluride X-Pro (9.2 vs. 9.1 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 2.1 inches more front legroom, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 11.4 inches more third row legroom 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	22.3 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	60.8 cubic feet	48.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	107 cubic feet	89.3 cubic feet

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 4WD offers up to a 8700 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Telluride Hybrid can only tow 4500, any Navigator can tow a minimum of 6200 pounds.

The Navigator 4WD 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 the accessory belts are in front.

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, and its Kia Connect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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 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 doors.

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/Prestige.

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 has standard massaging front seats. Massaging front seats are only available on the Telluride Prestige. The Navigator Reserve/Black Label also offers optional massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row 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.

Both the Lincoln Navigator and the Kia Telluride have a standard Qi wireless phone charging system in the front seat. To easily keep personal devices charged in the second row seat, without cables tangling and wearing out, the Navigator Black Label also has a standard wireless charging system in the second row seat. The Telluride does not.