2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2022 Kia Telluride attracted consumers with its muscular design and balanced proportions, complemented by trendy blacked-out wheels and trim. Kia made only minor changes to the grille pattern and added new badges for 2022, maintaining the SUV's handsome appearance. The Telluride was available in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, with prices ranging from $32,790 to $44,590, plus a $1,225 destination charge. The interior was well-designed, with logical control arrangements, though the glossy plastic on the lower half of the cabin detracted from the otherwise upscale feel, especially in the SX Prestige trim with its Nappa leather upholstery and simulated suede headliner.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, last redesigned in 2018 and freshened up in 2022, rolled into 2023 without significant updates. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured the Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. The interior, predominantly black with real wood trim and chrome accents, looked upscale but had some issues with the chrome plastic on the switchgear. The ambient lighting in the Reserve I package added character at night. The Navigator Reserve’s cabin used quality materials, but the chrome plastic on the switchgear failed to convey luxury.

The 2022 Kia Telluride, powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque, offered a satisfying driving experience. The eight-speed automatic transmission and available AWD with Lock mode provided good performance on various terrains, though limited wheel articulation suggested sticking to well-traveled paths. The Telluride featured Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport driving modes, with the SX trim offering 20-inch wheels and 245/50 tires for good grip. The SUV’s ride quality was smooth, and it performed well on long-distance drives, achieving an EPA fuel economy estimate of 21 mpg in combined driving. The Telluride’s towing capacity topped out at 5,000 pounds.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD drivetrain, offered a powerful performance. The test vehicle had an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg in combined driving but averaged 15.6 mpg during testing. The Navigator featured five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an adaptive damping suspension standard. However, the ride quality was inconsistent, with the SUV riding like a truck over smaller bumps and floating over larger ones. The Excite mode improved handling but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator’s nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes, and its size proved a liability in urban settings.

The 2022 Kia Telluride balanced form and function with an upscale, organized interior design. Thoughtful details included overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, rear smartphone storage pouches, USB ports in the front seatbacks, and accessible rear cupholders. The Telluride offered dual-zone automatic climate control for front-seat occupants and single-zone for the rear. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. All three rows of seats were comfortable for adults, with a one-touch sliding and folding second-row seat mechanism for easier third-row access. The Telluride provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87 cubic feet.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality with roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for more cargo space. Power-deploying running boards made entry and exit easier, and the 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage ensured comfort. The second-row captain’s chairs provided a pass-through to the third-row seat, which accommodated taller adults. Storage space was generous, with large trays and smaller compartments throughout the cabin. The extended-length Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats.

For 2022, the Kia Telluride featured a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, though it lost wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The Telluride included USB charging ports in all three rows, a wireless smartphone charging pad (standard in all trims except LX), and Kia Connect, a connected services platform with a one-year free trial. Kia Connect offered emergency assistance, safe teen driving alerts, remote engine start, and more. The Telluride also had standard Quiet Mode and Driver Talk functions, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a widescreen head-up display, and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system. The Sync 4 infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services, a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed well, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality. The Navigator also offered Phone As A Key technology, allowing owners to unlock, start, and drive the SUV using a digital key.

The 2022 Kia Telluride included numerous standard driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies under Kia Drive Wise. These features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction. The Telluride also had Highway Driving Assist, Smart Cruise Control-Curve, and Safe Exit Assist. In crash tests, the Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a “Top Safety Pick” designation from the IIHS.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came with a long list of advanced driving assistance systems, including Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise allowed hands-free driving on designated highways but required regular driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.