2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in the subcompact SUV segment with its sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior design. It was larger than the Ford EcoSport and managed to look exciting despite its small footprint. The Kona's design cleverly masked the inherent stubbiness of small, short-wheelbase vehicles with tall roofs, setting it apart from competitors like the Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR. The exterior featured tiered lighting, a tall grille, and matte plastic trim, giving it a premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. While the layout was acceptable and the screens were high-resolution, the overall tactile quality was below that of competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator exuded luxury with its chrome detailing and unique styling elements that differentiated it from the Ford Expedition. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system and lattice-type grille insert added to its sophisticated appearance. The Navigator offered a new Reserve Monochromatic Package for a custom look, with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator was a haven of comfort, featuring 30-way Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The dashboard boasted mid-century modern styling cues, and the panoramic glass roof filled the interior with natural light. High-quality materials were used throughout, making the Navigator a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its impressive powertrain and chassis. Its 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine delivered 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, outperforming most competitors in the segment. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission provided strong acceleration and confidence when merging onto highways. However, only the Limited and Ultimate trims featured the turbo engine, while the standard engine was a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 hp. The Kona's handling was commendable, with fast and direct steering, a tight suspension, and minimal body roll. Despite its noisy cabin and stiff ride, the Kona offered a delightful driving experience, especially with AWD models that included an independent rear suspension.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided strong acceleration, though it lacked the V8 rumble some might desire. The Navigator's 10-speed automatic transmission and multiple Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the powertrain to various driving situations. With a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, the Navigator excelled in towing capabilities, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Despite its size, the Navigator's body motion control was excellent, offering a hint of athleticism. However, it was best suited for open roads with smooth pavement, as impact harshness was noticeable over imperfect surfaces.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering only 19 cubic feet of cargo space and 46 with the rear seats folded. This was significantly less than competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX. While seating for four was adequate, the Kona's cramped interior made it less practical for carrying passengers and cargo. Despite its easy-to-use controls and infotainment system, the Kona fell short as a utility vehicle, resembling a small hatchback more than a true crossover.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator provided ample interior space and comfort. The optional Luxury Package included 30-way Perfect Position front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and a heated steering wheel. The second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs, with triple-zone climate control ensuring comfort across all rows. The third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were also impressive, with the standard-length model offering up to 103.3 cubic feet of space, while the longer Navigator L provided up to 120.2 cubic feet.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a range of standard features, with the base SE model including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like proximity entry, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The SEL Plus trim introduced an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, wireless charging, and an eight-speaker Infinity stereo. The Ultimate trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, adaptive cruise control, and a sunroof.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was less impressive, with slow loading times. However, it included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The Reserve's Luxury Package added a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, providing a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display, though the test vehicle lacked the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received high safety ratings, earning five stars overall from the NHTSA and a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. However, pedestrian detection was only available on the Ultimate trim, and the Kona lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its RWD version had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.