2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly big-car feel. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, and while the headlight design was somewhat busy, it seamlessly integrated with the grille styling. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities, even though it wasn't designed for such adventures. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added a touch of modernity and sportiness. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and integrated tech, reminiscent of more upscale brands. The interior boasted a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a touchscreen atop the dash, enhancing its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator exuded elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton vehicle. Its design was defined by simple rectilinear shapes, with a few chrome accents adding a touch of class. The Pristine White model, with its white-painted grille and black wheels, was particularly striking during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven color palettes and attention to finer details. The wood trim, push-button gear selector, and floating center console contributed to a modern and muted aesthetic. The materials were of high quality, and the panel gaps were tight, offering a luxurious feel. The Perfect Position seats, with their 30-way adjustability, provided unparalleled comfort, making the Navigator's interior one of the most refined in its class.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims were equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While adequate for city driving, this engine lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for highway driving and spirited acceleration. The Seltos also offered a Drive Mode dial with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout, the Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a formidable twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The Navigator's 4WD system was smooth and efficient, offering a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, though not as refined as some competitors. While the steering and brakes lacked the precision of rivals, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power, with paddle shifters adding a touch of sportiness.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered impressive cargo space for a subcompact SUV, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious in its class. The interior featured numerous cubbies and compartments, providing ample storage for passengers. The rear seats offered generous head- and legroom, a rarity among subcompact SUVs.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a spacious interior, capable of accommodating six adults comfortably. It offered 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, adding convenience. The Navigator's front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility. However, parking was challenging due to its size, despite the 360-degree cameras.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base S trim, while the SX Turbo offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a helpful home button and hard buttons for easy navigation. However, the system had some quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio when connected via USB.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer competitors. While the software was intuitive, it lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless charging, and a smartwatch app, with remote app functions included for five years. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connectivity options.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Most trims included a suite of driver-assistance features, such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim offered adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance on 4WD models. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional, though it lacked the self-steering capabilities of some competitors.