2020 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator was positioned between the Navigator and the compact MKC, later replaced by the Lincoln Corsair, in the Lincoln lineup. It marked a departure from Lincoln's previous naming conventions, signaling a return to more traditional vehicle names. The Aviator featured a unified design language across Lincoln's range, with distinctive headlights and an upright chrome grille. Its roofline tapered slightly, giving it an elongated appearance, while the low, wide beltline contributed to a boat-like look. Inside, the Aviator's cabin boasted a flowing design with soft-touch materials and selective brightwork. The seats were both elegant and sturdy, with shifter buttons resembling piano keys. Lincoln aimed to evoke a sense of Golden Age luxury without overcommitting to a specific design language, a departure from its 2010s approach. The Aviator's interior was characterized by plush leather throughout, even in areas where it wasn't necessary, reflecting a deep commitment to luxury. Notable features included a panoramic moonroof and unique warning jingles recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, showcasing Lincoln's holistic approach to luxury.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, with its distinctive tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, was described by some as having a frog-like appearance, while Kia referred to its design as "Euro-focused." This two-row crossover SUV featured a relatively short wheelbase and overhangs, making it well-suited for urban driving. The Sportage retained its headlights from the previous year and offered a choice of 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as the centerpiece, flanked by air vents, with physical buttons and knobs for tuning and volume below. The cabin, though not as tech-forward as some of Kia's other models, provided a pleasant environment. The Sportage's interior was functional, with two cupholders between the front seats and Kia's older logo on the steering wheel. While not groundbreaking, the Sportage's design and interior offered a comfortable and practical experience for drivers and passengers alike.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This engine was part of the same family found in the Explorer, Expedition, and Ford F-150. The Grand Touring trim took performance a step further by combining the 3.0-liter turbo V6 with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a net output of 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The base V6 offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was exclusively AWD. Both versions achieved 0-60 mph in approximately 4 seconds. The Grand Touring's hybrid setup provided smooth and confident acceleration, using electric power at low speeds to enhance the driving experience. The Aviator's steering was light, and its brakes offered cushioned feedback. The vehicle featured an "Excite" drive mode, though it remained a 5,600-pound SUV, limiting its dynamic capabilities. 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, respectively. The PHEV offered a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent combined rating.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims, with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, producing 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All Sportage models were equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while the AWD version achieved 21/25/23 mpg. The FWD turbo Sportage delivered 20/28/23 mpg, and the AWD version achieved 19/24/21 mpg. The Sportage's McPherson-strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension provided a smooth ride with minimal body roll. While the steering could be improved, the Sportage offered a rewarding driving experience, particularly in the SX Turbo trim. For those seeking a sporty drive, the Sportage was a strong contender alongside the Mazda CX-5.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, with its three-row configuration, competed with vehicles like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Land Rover Discovery, and Cadillac XT6. While not all of these vehicles were direct competitors, the Aviator faced stiff competition. The optional second-row captain's chairs were highly praised, while the power-closing third row was adequate for adults but better suited 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, the Aviator's interior featured some unconventional controls, such as the seat and door handle designs. The seats had complex controls, with only half accessible from the door-mounted panel, requiring a touchscreen menu for full adjustment. Despite the complexity, the 30-way seats with massage function were worth the effort. The door-release function was also unconventional, with a button on the back of the handle instead of a traditional handle. While a manual door release was available, it only worked for the driver's door, raising concerns in certain scenarios.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, though on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for both the driver and passengers. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, along with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was somewhat limited. With 30.7 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, the Sportage fell short compared to other compact crossovers in terms of cargo capacity.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system, operated via a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Unlike the Ford Explorer's portrait layout, the Aviator's screen used a conventional landscape orientation, allowing Apple CarPlay to be displayed across the entire screen with large icons and readouts. This setup provided an ideal interface for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Aviator also boasted a fully digital instrument panel and a massive head-up display, which presented information in a minimalist and unobtrusive manner.

The 2021 Kia Sportage's 8-inch touchscreen interface managed its infotainment system, offering Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard features. Most trims also included Kia's UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Sportage's technology was user-friendly, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs. While not groundbreaking, the tech was unlikely to frustrate owners or leave them wanting more.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with a comprehensive array of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance systems included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Additional safety tech included blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.

Safety was a strong selling point for the 2021 Kia Sportage, with standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim also featured Kia's adaptive cruise control system, known for its smooth operation. The SX Turbo trims earned Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to their upgraded headlights, and all trim levels performed well in crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).