Compare the2023 Lincoln AviatorVS 2022 Kia Telluride

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lincoln Aviator have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Telluride doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Lincoln Aviator has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Aviator (except Standard) offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Telluride doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Aviator’s optional Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Telluride doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Aviator and the Telluride have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lincoln Aviator is safer than the Kia Telluride:

	Aviator	Telluride
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	281
Neck Injury Risk	26.3%	27%
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	275 lbs.
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	32 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	230/210 lbs.	164/998 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	318	378
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.4 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29.2%	36%

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lincoln Aviator is safer than the Kia Telluride:

	Aviator	Telluride
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	224 lbs.	440 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	137
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	47 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	288	450
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	52 G’s
Hip Force	573 lbs.	640 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lincoln Aviator is much safer than the Telluride:

	Aviator	Telluride
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	99
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.1 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Pelvis Force	982 lbs.	1472 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	168	300
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.98 in	1.5 in
Shoulder Force	379 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	1.5 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Aviator its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 122 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Telluride is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The Aviator’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Telluride runs out after 100,000 miles.

Reliability

The Lincoln Aviator’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Telluride’s engine uses 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 service station for repairs. 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.

Engine

The Aviator’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 109 more horsepower (400 vs. 291) and 153 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6. The Aviator Grand Touring’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 203 more horsepower (494 vs. 291) and 368 lbs.-ft. more torque (630 vs. 262) than the Telluride’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lincoln Aviator turbo V6 is faster than the Kia Telluride:

	Aviator	Telluride
Zero to 60 MPH	5.4 sec	7.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97.7 MPH	92.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Aviator running on electricity gets better mileage than the Telluride:

			MPGe
Aviator
	AWD	Grand Touring Electric Motor	54 city/58 hwy
Telluride
			MPG
	FWD	3.8 DOHC V6	20 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.8 DOHC V6	19 city/24 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Aviator Grand Touring running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Telluride 4x4 (22 city/25 hwy vs. 19 city/24 hwy).

The Aviator Grand Touring can travel with zero emissions for 21 miles. The Telluride can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Aviator Grand Touring’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Telluride doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Aviator’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (not available Grand Touring). The Telluride doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Aviator’s standard fuel tank has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Telluride (20.2 vs. 18.8 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.

Transmission

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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Aviator’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Telluride:

	Aviator	Telluride
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	12 inches

The Aviator’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Telluride are solid, not vented.

The Aviator stops shorter than the Telluride:

	Aviator	Telluride
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Aviator has larger standard tires than the Telluride (255/60R19 vs. 245/60R18). The Aviator’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Telluride (275/40R22 vs. 245/60R18).

The Aviator’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Telluride S/SX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Aviator has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Telluride LX/EX. The Aviator’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Telluride S/SX.

Suspension and Handling

The Aviator offers an available 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Aviator’s wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the Telluride (119.1 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Aviator’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the Telluride’s (55.7% to 44.3%). This gives the Aviator more stable handling and braking.

The Aviator Grand Touring AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the Telluride SX 4x4 pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Aviator Grand Touring AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Telluride SX 4x4 (26.5 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Aviator has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Telluride (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Aviator to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Aviator uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Telluride doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Aviator (except Standard) offers available 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.

Passenger Space

The Aviator has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Telluride.

Cargo Capacity

Both the Aviator and the Telluride have standard second row automatic folding seats. The Aviator’s third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a button. The Telluride doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

Towing

The Aviator’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Telluride’s (5600 vs. 5000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

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 there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

If the windows are left open on the Aviator the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Telluride can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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.

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.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Aviator’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Telluride’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Aviator (except Standard) offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Telluride doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 Aviator (except Standard) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Telluride.

The Aviator (except Standard)’s optional Active Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Telluride doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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