2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a funky small SUV that blended mild and wild styling. Up front, it featured a busy look with multiple lighting elements, including fog lights on some trims, which leaned more towards playful than business-like. This design targeted younger buyers. The rear styling was more subdued, with a standard crossover shape and lighting configuration. Inside, the Kona maintained a fun attitude without being overly whimsical. The seats had neat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with higher trims offering leather upgrades. The interior layout was simple and intuitive, featuring a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen and physical climate controls, making it well-suited for the Kona's compact size.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. It shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but distinguished itself with unique design elements, including a body-color grille, sweeping LED running lights, and a full-width taillight assembly. The Pristine White model with black wheels and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests. The interior impressed with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. Materials were top-notch, and the Black Label trims offered even more luxurious textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats could adjust in 30 different ways, providing exceptional comfort and customization.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options. The base model had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivered 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,400. While neither engine was particularly powerful, both provided ample power for city and highway driving. The dual-clutch transmission, though not smooth at low speeds, improved the sporty feel at higher speeds. The Kona handled with confidence, offering a fun and agile driving experience. Fuel economy varied depending on the configuration, with the base engine and FWD returning an EPA-estimated 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a single, impressive engine: a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, and the Navigator's towing capacity was substantial, at 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. Fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens, with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined (16 city, 20 highway). The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a comfortable ride, though not as refined as the Cadillac Escalade's magnetic shocks and air springs. Despite some shortcomings in steering and brake feel, the Navigator's powerful engine and plush cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered decent headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers, with an optional sunroof that didn't significantly reduce headroom. The front seats were wide and well-padded but lacked sufficient support for spirited driving. Back-seat passengers had good headroom but limited legroom. The large rear door openings made loading and unloading children easier, though large rear-facing car seats could be problematic for taller front passengers. The Kona's cargo space was limited, ranking near the bottom of its segment, though the rear seats could fold to expand the space. Small-item storage was generous and conveniently located.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator provided ample space, akin to a small bedroom. It could comfortably house six adults, with the third row's middle seat suitable only for a child. The second row featured manually-reclining and tilting captain's chairs, with an optional bench for a total of eight passengers. Cargo space was generous, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for packed cargo areas. The Navigator Reserve had heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with large windows and a high driving position providing excellent visibility. However, parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Available tech included SiriusXM radio, navigation, wireless device charging, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was simple, colorful, and responsive, with easy navigation and minimal clicks required to access features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were significant benefits, especially for lower trims.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer competitors. The instrument panel couldn't display full-screen maps or different designs, and the cameras were low-resolution. The infotainment system couldn't wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, the software was intuitive, with a unique Lincoln interface. Voice recognition was fast and accurate, though there were no onboard apps or wireless software updates. The Navigator included onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. Lincoln's remote app functions were included for five years, with SiriusXM traffic data for six years. Rear entertainment options included Roku media streaming and various connections. Drive mode animations on the instrument panel were a nice touch, and the overall simplicity of the system was a relief compared to more complex competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with "Good" scores in all crash test areas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it five stars overall. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a driver attention warning system, and rear occupant alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and parking sensors.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. Knee airbags were not offered, but inflatable rear seat belts for the second row were optional. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, though the Navigator's self-steering and lane-tracking capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.