2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Kia Telluride

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator slotted below the Navigator and above the compact MKC and its replacement, the Lincoln Corsair, in the Lincoln lineup. The Aviator featured a unified design across Lincoln's sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, with handsome headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its roofline tapered slightly, giving it an elongated look, while the low, wide beltline provided a boat-like appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective use of brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. The cabin was filled with plush leather, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, indicating a deep commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a massive panoramic moonroof and warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra showcased Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in both style and comfort. The SX trim, especially with the Prestige package, transformed it into a luxury SUV at a mainstream price. The package added premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display, and heated and ventilated second-row seats. The Nightfall Edition package, available with EX and SX trims, gave the Telluride a popular blacked-out look with gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels. The interior was a model of contemporary design and quality execution, with thoughtful touches like a solid and smooth transmission shifter. The Telluride's interior color options were limited to black or gray unless you opted for the SX trim. Despite some glossy hard plastic on the lower parts of the interior, the Telluride's overall look and feel were impressive.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring trim combined this engine with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a net 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was AWD only. Both versions could accelerate from 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The Grand Touring's hybrid setup provided smooth and confident acceleration, conserving fuel and enhancing the driving experience. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were cushioned yet effective. The Excite drive mode offered a more dynamic experience, but the Aviator's 5,600-pound weight limited its sportiness. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version achieved 17, 24, and 20 mpg. The PHEV had a combined 23 mpg rating, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent combined rating.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured a single powertrain: a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. Kia's Drive Mode Select technology offered Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. AWD was optional and included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, combined with the SUV's eight inches of ground clearance. The Telluride handled various terrains well, including muddy trails and snowy conditions. On regular roads, the Telluride's suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a smooth and compliant ride. The self-leveling rear suspension on EX and SX trims ensured proper ride and handling when loaded. The Telluride's fuel economy was 21 mpg combined for the AWD version, with our testing loop averaging 20.5 mpg.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows, competed with the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and Cadillac XT6. The optional second-row captain's chairs were fantastic, while the power-closing third row was adequate for adults but best suited for kids on longer trips. Dropping the second and third rows provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. The Aviator's seats and door handles were somewhat confusing, with overly complicated controls for the 30-way seats. The door-release function was also unconventional, requiring a button press rather than a traditional handle. This design choice raised concerns about usability in emergency situations.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility. The SX trim's driver’s seat offered 14-way power adjustments, including lumbar and thigh support, while the front passenger seat had 8-way power adjustment. The Prestige package added heating and ventilation to the front and second-row captain’s chairs. The second-row seating area was designed for modern families, with USB ports, smartphone storage pouches, and large cupholders. The Telluride's "smart" hands-free power liftgate automatically opened when the key fob was nearby, revealing 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats. Folding the third-row seats down provided 46 cubic feet, and the maximum cargo space was 87 cubic feet. Buttons in the cargo area allowed for easy folding of the second-row captain’s chairs.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout. This setup provided a user-friendly interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also had a fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display, offering a minimalist and unobtrusive way to access information.

The 2021 Kia Telluride included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio as standard features. The LX and S trims had an 8-inch touchscreen, while the EX and SX trims featured a 10.25-inch screen with a navigation system. Kia’s UVO Link Lite connected services plan was free for five years, offering features like Rear Occupant Alert and remote engine start. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, Driver Talk, and Quiet Mode. The Prestige package added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with a full array of front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured the Drive Wise collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, driver-monitoring system, and automatic emergency braking. The EX and SX trims added Highway Drive Assist, a semi-autonomous driving aid. The SX trim also included front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, despite some concerns about its headlights.