Compare the2027 Lincoln Aviator VS 2027 Kia Telluride

The Lincoln Aviator has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Telluride doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Aviator 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 Aviator and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 Aviator’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Telluride runs out after 100,000 miles.

The Lincoln Aviator’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Telluride’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Aviator 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 safe place to stop. 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 Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 126 more horsepower (400 vs. 274) and 104 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 311) than the Telluride’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Aviator’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 71 more horsepower (400 vs. 329) and 76 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 339) than the Telluride’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Lincoln Aviator is faster than the Kia Telluride turbo 4 cyl.:

	Aviator	Telluride
Zero to 30 MPH	2.5 sec	3.3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	8.3 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.2 sec	4.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	16.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98 MPH	89 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Aviator AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Telluride X-Pro (17 city/24 hwy vs. 17 city/22 hwy).

The Aviator has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (20.2 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Aviator has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride’s standard fuel tank (20.2 vs. 19 gallons).

The Aviator 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 Aviator, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Telluride.

The Aviator stops shorter than the Telluride:

	Aviator	Telluride
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Aviator has larger standard tires than the Telluride (255/55R20 vs. 235/65R18). The Aviator’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (275/40R22 vs. 265/45R21).

The Aviator’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Telluride LX/EX Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires. The Aviator’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 Aviator has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Telluride X-Pro. The Aviator’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Telluride X-Line.

The Aviator 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 Aviator’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 Aviator’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the Telluride (119.1 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

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

The Aviator Reserve AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Telluride SX Prestige pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Aviator AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Telluride SX Prestige (27.1 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Aviator has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Telluride (8.7 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the Aviator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Aviator Reserve/Black Label 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 Aviator has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Telluride.

While the Telluride Hybrid can only tow 4500, any Aviator can tow a minimum of 5000 pounds.

The engine in the Aviator 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 Aviator’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 Aviator’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 Aviator (except Premiere) offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Telluride doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Aviator (except Premiere) also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Aviator’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 Aviator 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 Aviator 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 Lincoln Aviator 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.