2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Kia Seltos

Despite its classification as a subcompact SUV, the 2021 Kia Seltos had a big-car feel. It featured an upright layout with a commanding view of the road. The headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities, even though the Seltos was not designed for such adventures. The test model showcased a two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers, adding to its on-road driving dynamics. The interior boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, reminiscent of more upscale brands like Audi. The clean LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash added visual symmetry, while the handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator made subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch design now standard. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille with the Lincoln star and chrome detailing, which some felt reduced its elegance. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln’s Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, digital instrumentation, and widescreen HUD kept the Navigator competitive in the screen size race. The Black Label trim in the Central Park theme featured a green interior with second-row heated, ventilated, and massaging captain’s chairs, making it a luxurious choice.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The base engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway driving. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll in turns and a smooth ride over bumps, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The Navigator’s towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology improved ride quality by preparing for road imperfections. The new electronic brake booster enhanced brake pedal feel and response. The Navigator handled well on highways and in snowy and muddy conditions, thanks to its four-wheel drive, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and adaptive suspension. The fuel economy for the 4WD model was 18 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 18.6 mpg.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided a solid amount of cargo space, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs, even surpassing some compact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos offered plenty of storage compartments and cubbies, with large bottle holders and a spacious center console for front passengers. The rear seats provided ample head- and legroom, making it a comfortable choice for passengers.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its heated, ventilated, and massaging 30-way power-adjustable front seats, which were exceptionally comfortable. The second-row captain’s chairs, also heated, ventilated, and massaging, provided a luxurious experience. The third-row seats offered roomy accommodations, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator L, with its long-wheelbase configuration, provided even more cargo space. The standard Navigator offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed. The Navigator L increased these figures to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo trim included a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen in the instrument panel, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The larger screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside other data. However, the system had quirks, such as defaulting to the phone’s music when plugged in via USB and only one data-connecting USB port. Despite these issues, the infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, thanks to helpful home buttons and hard buttons below the touchscreen.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator upgraded to a Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering two data panels for navigation and music details. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and allowed users to save settings to a user profile. The voice recognition system was improved but not perfect. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, now with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The test vehicle also featured a 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering an exceptional audio experience.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included driver-assistance features like 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 included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The Seltos also featured an alert system for when the vehicle in front had moved away at a stoplight.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system became standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake for unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking maneuvers, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. The system performed well but required the driver to remain attentive.