2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that set it apart from its Ford Expedition counterpart. Designers added unique front and rear styling elements, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system, which sequentially illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Navigator's lattice-type grille, illuminated star logo, and full-width taillights were distinctive design hallmarks. The Reserve Monochromatic Package, available in White, Ceramic Pearl, and Infinite Black, added body-color grille and side mirror enhancements, along with 22-inch black-painted wheels. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, showcased a Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a panoramic glass roof.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Sorento made a significant leap forward in design, shedding its previous jelly-bean-inspired styling for a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package featured roof rails, a shark fin antenna, and a rear roof spoiler. The front end boasted a more expansive tiger-nose grille, accented headlights, and a silver accent between the front fender and the door. The rear design included beautiful vertical taillights, and the interior offered high-value features such as heated outside mirrors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and keyless entry. The test vehicle's panoramic sunroof and comfortable seats made it a pleasant ride, although the third row was tight for adults.

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 was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering power to the rear wheels or an optional four-wheel drive system. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist system made towing easier by allowing the driver to steer the trailer using a dashboard knob. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, averaging 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined. Despite its size, the Navigator's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, although it felt huge around town.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the test vehicle featuring a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive. The Sorento's AWD system included torque vectoring and a center-locking differential for slippery conditions. The X-Line package added 1.3 inches of ride height, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a roof rack. The suspension, consisting of McPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the rear, provided a smooth and comfortable ride. The Sorento's various drive modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, made a noticeable difference in performance. Despite its 4,000-pound weight, the Sorento handled corners well without excessive head-tossing.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, passengers enjoyed ample space and comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and heated steering wheel ensured a perfect driving position. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or captain's chairs, with the latter featuring a large center console and heated rear seat cushions. The third row provided exceptional legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was class-leading, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet. The longer Navigator L offered even more cargo space.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while practical, was best considered a four-seater in its top trims due to the tight third row. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, and the front seats provided ample legroom. Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, but folding the seats increased the total cargo volume to 75.5 cubic feet. The Sorento offered convenient storage solutions, including a spot for a phone with optional wireless charging, cupholders, and a center console bucket. The door pockets and second-row cupholders provided additional storage for smaller items.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, with slow content loading. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed the smartphone to function as the vehicle key. The voice recognition system worked reasonably well, and the 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display, although the test vehicle lacked the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. The larger screen required a physical connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the right third of the screen displayed redundant information. The Sorento offered plenty of USB ports but lacked USB-C ports. The optional Bose stereo system was decent but not exceptional. The navigation system needed improvement, particularly in voice search and Point-of-Interest functions. Most drivers would likely rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for navigation.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), although the rear-wheel-drive model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Kia Sorento was equipped with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. The test vehicle also had a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA awarded the Sorento four out of five stars overall, with perfect scores in side-impact crash tests. The IIHS awarded the Sorento a Top Safety Pick designation, with the SX trim levels receiving top marks for their LED headlights.