2023 Kia Telluride vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

During our time in Texas, we sampled the new 2023 Kia Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models. All Tellurides received fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. New paint colors included Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Green, while the interior offered new colors like Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. The X-Line replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring a raised suspension, unique grille design, raised roof rails, body-color door handles, and black 20-inch wheels. The X-Pro went further with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road appeal.

Kia’s interior updates were subtle, with the most significant change being the available digital instrumentation panel and the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. These resided side-by-side on the dashboard under a curved 24-inch piece of glass, giving the Telluride a modern look. Other interior changes included new colors, minor trim updates, a new steering-wheel design, and a more functional center console. Both the X-Line and X-Pro had their trim names embossed into the upper portion of the front seatbacks.

When Lincoln introduced the 2023 Navigator, it rolled into the year without significant updates, having last been redesigned in 2018 and freshened up in 2022. The test vehicle was a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featuring the Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. The Navigator also had a Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV streaming capability, although it went unused by the teenagers in the back seats.

The Navigator’s interior was all black, with real wood trim panels and chrome accents. At night, the ambient lighting from the Reserve I package added some contrast and character. The cabin looked upscale and used quality materials, but the chrome plastic on the switchgear didn’t always convey luxury. The test vehicle’s MSRP was $104,715, including a $1,695 destination charge.

Mechanically, the 2023 Kia Telluride remained largely unchanged, featuring a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could select from Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the available AWD system offering a low-speed Lock setting for even power distribution. The V6 easily motivated the Telluride, averaging 24.1 mpg in the X-Line and 20.4 mpg in the X-Pro, which included off-roading. Official EPA ratings for the AWD model were 21 mpg combined.

Kia raised the suspension by 10mm, increased ground clearance to 8.4 inches, and improved approach and departure angles for the X-Line and X-Pro. The Telluride also featured a new Downhill Brake Control system, which worked effectively after an initial scare. The X-Pro, with its 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, was ideal for off-roading, offering a towing capacity of 5,500 pounds and an available self-leveling rear air suspension. On highways, the Telluride provided a smooth ride, though the off-road tires made it feel a bit squishier in turns.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The test vehicle had an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined but averaged 15.6 mpg during testing. Drivers could choose from five Lincoln Drive Modes, with an adaptive damping suspension standard. However, the Navigator’s ride quality was inconsistent, feeling truck-like over smaller bumps and floating over larger ones.

In Excite mode, the Navigator’s suspension stiffened, improving the ride and quickening the powertrain’s response, though it negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The SUV felt smaller on mountain roads, thanks to excellent outward visibility and impressive grip from the big wheels and wide tires. However, the steering was slow and lifeless, and the nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes. In city and suburban settings, the Navigator’s size proved cumbersome, making parking and navigating tight spaces difficult.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row seating configuration. Test vehicles featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The second row was comfortable, with manual side-window sunshades, adjustable armrests, USB ports, and storage pockets. The third-row seat was more comfortable than most midsize SUVs, though not as spacious as the Volkswagen Atlas.

Storage space was plentiful, with a “smart” power tailgate and an automatic closing function. Cargo space included 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering 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. The test vehicle had 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row captain’s chairs were spacious, with a pass-through to the third-row seat, which accommodated taller adults comfortably.

Storage space was generous, with large trays and smaller compartments throughout the cabin. The extended-length Navigator L model provided 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 with all seats folded.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and Kia Connect services with a new Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system performed well, though it didn’t control the climate system. The Kia Access smartphone app allowed remote control of some functions, and OTA updates kept the system current. Six USB charging ports were available, along with Driver Talk and Quiet Mode features.

Upgrades included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone charging, digital-key technology, a Full Display Mirror, and a head-up display (HUD) with a 10-inch viewing area. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a standout feature, reminding drivers when traffic started moving.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an available widescreen HUD, and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system. The Sync 4 system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed excellently, understanding and responding to commands accurately.

The test vehicle had a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, providing rich sound. The Lincoln Way smartphone app and Phone As A Key technology allowed owners to unlock, start, and drive the SUV using a digital key. However, the wireless smartphone charger overheated the phone, making it unusable.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning system, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, Safe Exit Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Drive Assist 1.5. The SX trim added more collision avoidance features, front parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. A Rear Occupant Alert system was also standard.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, including Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise allowed hands-free driving on designated highways but struggled with curves, mixed surfaces, and construction zones. It also lacked a lane-change assist function. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.