2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in its segment due to its sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior design. Larger than the Ford EcoSport, the Kona's design cleverly utilized its compact footprint to create a visually stimulating appearance. The tiered lighting, tall grille, and matte plastic trim made the Kona appear taller and wider than it actually was. The slim LED running lamps, headlights spaced to the car's edges, and optional fog lights added to its striking look. The fender creases, black trim, and two-tone wheels contributed to a premium vibe, especially in the Limited and Ultimate models.

However, the interior of the Kona did not match the exterior's excitement. The cabin was filled with hard, dull plastics and lackluster finishes. While the buttons and switchgear felt good and the screens were high-resolution, the overall fit and finish were below par compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V. The Kona's interior, despite some bright color options and good layout, lacked the tactile quality and expression found in its rivals.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, was a masterclass in design and luxury. Lincoln avoided emulating its rivals and instead drew inspiration from its successful Navigator model. The Aviator featured crisp lines and chrome accents, creating a sharp and elegant exterior. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth. Soft-touch materials, a rising center console, and a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen dominated the dash, adding to the luxurious feel.

The Aviator's unique piano button shifter and soothing chimes for alerts contributed to its air of class. The various trims, from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, offered a range of features, including synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, and a power liftgate in the Standard trim, to upgraded leather, four-zone climate control, and a 12-speaker Revel premium stereo system in the Reserve trim. The Grand Touring trim added a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, and Lincoln’s impressive Multi-Contour Seats with a massaging function, making it a standout in terms of luxury and comfort.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its impressive powertrain and chassis. The 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine produced 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, outperforming most competitors in its segment. This engine, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, provided strong acceleration and confidence when merging onto highways. The turbo engine was available only in the Limited and Ultimate trims, while the standard engine was a 2.0-liter inline-four with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Both engines offered optional all-wheel drive (AWD) with torque vectoring.

Despite the engine's buzz and vibration, the Kona's steering was fast and direct, and the suspension was tight and stable, allowing minimal roll. The AWD models featured an independent rear suspension, enhancing handling and road feel. However, the Kona's fuel economy was average, with the 1.6T AWD rated at 26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered robust performance with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and powerful acceleration. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range.

The Aviator's drive mode selector offered modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing its driving experience. While the Aviator excelled on highways and in cul-de-sacs, it struggled with body roll in corners and maneuverability in tight spaces. However, its performance remained impressive for a midsize luxury SUV.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering only 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 46 cubic feet with the seats folded. Rear legroom and headroom were average, but the Kona's overall interior space was cramped compared to competitors like the Honda HR-V and Buick Encore GX. Despite its easy-to-use controls and good sightlines, the Kona's limited cargo space and lack of side rails on the base SE trim hindered its utility.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator excelled in interior space, providing 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls added to the Aviator's functionality. However, the use of power-button door releases raised concerns about potential issues if the battery died.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona offered a range of standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base SE model. Higher trims like the SEL added proximity entry, heated front seats, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL Plus trim included wireless charging, an eight-way power driver's seat, and an eight-speaker Infinity stereo. The Limited trim added leather upholstery, while the Ultimate trim featured a sunroof, an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system. The screen's landscape format and easy-to-use layout made it user-friendly. The Aviator also included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a fully digital instrument panel, and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics. The combination of these features provided a seamless and enjoyable tech experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona scored five out of five stars overall in NHTSA crash tests and was rated a 2020 Top Safety Pick by 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 2021 Lincoln Aviator came well-equipped with standard safety features as part of the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.