2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the larger Navigator and the smaller MKC, which was later replaced by the Corsair. Lincoln's shift from alphanumeric names to real vehicle names signaled a move away from mimicking imports. The Aviator featured a cohesive design language across Lincoln's lineup, with striking headlights and a prominent chrome grille. Its tapered roofline and low, wide beltline gave it an elongated, almost nautical appearance. Inside, the Aviator boasted a flowing cabin design with soft-touch materials and elegant seats. The shifter buttons resembled piano keys, hinting at a luxurious past without overwhelming the design. The front seats were notably comfortable, with plush leather extending throughout the cabin, underscoring Lincoln's commitment to luxury. Unique touches like a panoramic moonroof and orchestral warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra highlighted Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury. The Aviator offered five trims, with the Standard trim providing ample features, while the Grand Touring and Black Label trims added more luxury and a plug-in hybrid option.

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its predecessor's jelly-bean styling, adopting a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its rugged look. The front featured an expanded tiger-nose grille and distinctive headlights, while a silver accent along the side added visual interest. The Sorento's design captured the American SUV styling zeitgeist without being overly macho. The rear's large D-pillar created a potential blind spot, but it was a worthwhile trade-off for style. The taillights were cohesive vertical rectangles, offering a modern look. Inside, the Sorento was packed with desirable features, including heated mirrors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and keyless entry. The base LX trim had limited seat adjustments, but higher trims offered more comfort. Visibility was excellent, and the panoramic sunroof provided ample light. The SX Prestige trim featured real perforated leather seats, which were comfortable but could use more thigh support.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Touring trim enhanced this setup with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 offering RWD or AWD, while the PHEV was AWD only. Both versions achieved 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds. The PHEV's electric power smoothed out the driving experience, especially with the stop-start system. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes were effective but cushioned. The Excite drive mode offered a more dynamic experience, but the Aviator's weight limited its agility. Fuel economy for the RWD Aviator was 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD version was slightly lower. The PHEV achieved a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the most common being a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Our test car featured the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission to AWD. This setup provided ample power for highway driving. The Sorento also offered a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and electric motor, but it was not part of our test. The AWD system included torque vectoring and a center-locking differential for improved traction. The suspension, with McPherson struts and a multi-link rear, provided a smooth ride despite the 20-inch wheels. The Sorento's drive modes significantly impacted performance, with Sport mode offering improved throttle response. The vehicle's weight led to some body lean in corners, but it remained composed. The Sorento's fuel economy was impressive, especially in Eco mode.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three rows, competed with models like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The optional second-row captain's chairs were excellent, while the power-closing third row was best for children on longer trips. With the second and third rows folded, the Aviator offered 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Cadillac XT6. However, some controls, like the seats and door handles, were overly complex. The 30-way seats with massage function were worth the learning curve, but the door-release function was unnecessarily complicated, raising concerns about usability in emergencies.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while a three-row SUV, was best considered a four-seater in higher trims due to the tight third row. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, and the front and rear seats offered ample legroom. Cargo space behind the third row was limited at 12.6 cubic feet, but folding the seats provided 75.5 cubic feet, more in line with compact crossovers. The Sorento featured convenient storage options, including a phone spot with optional wireless charging, cupholders, and a center console. The door pockets accommodated smaller water bottles, and the second-row seats had built-in cupholders.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen in a landscape layout, providing a user-friendly interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and head-up display offered clear and concise information, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a larger 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. The larger screen required a physical connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its layout limited usable space. The Sorento included numerous USB ports but lacked USB-C options. The optional Bose stereo was underwhelming, and the navigation system needed improvement. However, most drivers would likely rely on smartphone integration for navigation.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite added forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2021 Kia Sorento boasted an impressive array of standard safety features, such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. Our test car included a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control, which performed smoothly. The Sorento received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with some variations in headlight ratings across trims.