2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Kia Telluride represented a significant leap for Kia, shedding its reputation for cheap adequacy. The Telluride's design appeared more expensive than its price tag suggested, though the Kia badge somewhat detracted from its upscale look. The vehicle's exterior combined the boxy presence of a big Chevy with the fluid curves of a new Volvo, featuring upright, rectilinear themes and wide-spaced vertical headlights. The interior was equally impressive, with elements reminiscent of a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, including twin grab handles, wide air vents, and an ultra-wide touchscreen. Despite some lower sections being hard plastic, the overall fit, quality, and colors were tasteful and classy.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, avoided emulating its rivals' styles and instead adopted the successful design language of the Lincoln Navigator. The Aviator's exterior was defined by crisp lines and chrome accents, making it one of the few modern cars that benefited from heavy use of chrome. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring plenty of soft-touch materials and a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes for alerts added to the Aviator's air of class and luxury.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain could drive either the front wheels or all four wheels, with AWD being a $2,000 option. Despite the power, the transmission's response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent, and the shifting felt rougher compared to competitors. However, the Telluride's braking was strong, and the ride was smooth, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. The Telluride had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the optional Towing package and an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The Aviator's drive mode selector included unique names like "Excite" and "Conserve," reflecting its suitability for highways and cul-de-sacs rather than city driving.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The second-row seats were nearly as cushy as the front seats and could fold completely flat. The third row was surprisingly spacious, accommodating a 6-foot adult for more than 5 minutes. Cargo capacity was 21 cubic feet with all seats raised and 87 cubic feet with them all flat. The Telluride featured analog gauges, buttons, knobs, and a regular PRNDL shifter, complemented by two displays: a 3.5-inch for the instrument panel and an 8-inch screen for the dash. EX and SX models had a 10.3-inch screen and a larger 7-inch screen for the instrument panel.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring model, featured captain's chairs, a center console, and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The Aviator's use of power-button door releases was a potential functional issue, as the doors opened via buttons rather than traditional handles.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote car location and unlocking via an app. Upper trims with navigation had fast and accurate voice inputs and live traffic and weather updates. The SX trim featured a live feed of blind spots on the instrument cluster, Highway Driving Assist, a quiet mode, and an intercom for the third row. The SX also had bright LED headlights, dual moonroofs, and a Harman Kardon surround stereo.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was easy to use and had a sensible layout. The Aviator came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, presented with large icons on the screen. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with large, crisp graphics.

The 2020 Kia Telluride had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing, but it was expected to receive top scores. It came with a host of standard active driver assists, including forward-collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Safe Exit Assist and a driver's knee airbag were also standard, with optional surround-view cameras and front parking sensors.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, which included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.