2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento represented a significant departure from its previous generation's jelly-bean-inspired styling. The new model showcased a more athletic and muscular silhouette, making it a handsome crossover SUV. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its rugged appeal. The front featured an expansive tiger-nose grille with a noticeable curve, complemented by squinting headlights and silver accents along the side. The rear design included beautiful vertical taillights, and despite the large D-pillar potentially creating a blind spot, the overall style was modern and cautiously designed to age well.

Inside, the Sorento was packed with high-value features. Heated outside mirrors, second-row air vents, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and keyless entry were standard across the lineup. The driver’s seat offered six-way adjustment on the base LX trim, while higher trims provided 10-way adjustment with power lumbar support. The front passenger seat had limited adjustment options unless opting for the top-tier SX Prestige with the X-Line package. Heated seats were available on all but the LX trim, and the SX Prestige featured ventilated seats. The panoramic sunroof provided ample light, although it could let in too much sunlight during hot weather. The interior materials, especially the perforated leather on the SX Prestige, exceeded expectations in comfort and quality.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, in contrast, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. The Navigator shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but distinguished itself with unique design elements. The body-color grille, sweeping LED running lights, and full-width taillight assembly added to its classy appearance. The Pristine White model with black wheels and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests. The Navigator's interior impressed with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were high-quality, and the panel gaps were tight, with Black Label trims offering even more luxurious textures and softer leather.

The Perfect Position seats in the Navigator were a highlight, with 30-way adjustability and a design reminiscent of sports car bucket seats. The interior space was vast, and the attention to detail in the design and materials made it feel worth its $92,000 MSRP. The Navigator's overall refinement and power, combined with its plush and quiet cabin, made it a compelling choice for luxury SUV buyers.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of small powertrains. The base engine was a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the test car featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive, provided ample power for merging, cruising, and passing. The Sorento also offered a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and an electric motor, available only with front-wheel drive.

The AWD system in the Sorento included torque vectoring and a center-locking differential for better traction in slippery conditions. The X-Line package added 1.3 inches of ride height, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a roof rack. The suspension setup, with McPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear, ensured a smooth and comfortable ride. The various drive modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, made a noticeable difference in throttle response and overall driving experience. Despite its 4,000-pound weight, the Sorento handled corners well without excessive head-tossing.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine sound. The Navigator's 4WD system was smooth and responsive, with a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. Fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens, which aligned with the EPA's combined rating of 17 mpg.

The Navigator's adaptive dampers were standard, but the suspension felt less refined compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering and brakes were looser and softer, respectively, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a comfortable highway cruiser. The paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness with quick reaction times and rev-matched downshifts.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while practical as a three-row SUV, was best considered a four-seater in its top trims due to the second-row captain's chairs and tight third-row space. The cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, making it more practical to fold those seats down. The second-row seats provided ample legroom, and the front seats were comfortable with good thigh support. The total cargo volume was 75.5 cubic feet, which was on the smaller side for a midsize crossover.

The Sorento offered convenient storage solutions, including a spot for a phone with an optional wireless charger, cupholders, and a decent-sized center console. The door pockets and second-row cupholders were functional but limited in size. Overall, the Sorento's interior space and cargo capacity were more in line with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, offered a vast interior space, capable of comfortably seating six adults. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children, but the power-folding and raising feature added convenience. The second-row captain's chairs were manually reclining and tilting, with an optional bench seat for a total of eight passengers. The cargo space was generous, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage space.

The Navigator's rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a handy feature for accessing the cargo area without risking items falling out. The second-row seats were heated, and the three-zone climate control ensured comfort for all passengers. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with features like separate thigh extensions, torso bolsters, and massage programs. The large windows and high driving position provided excellent visibility, although parking could be challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen display on the lower trims, with hard buttons, volume and tuning knobs, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The upper trims came with a 10.25-inch screen, which looked fantastic but required a physical connection for smartphone integration. The larger screen's right third was underutilized when using Android Auto, reducing its effective size. The Sorento had plenty of USB ports but lacked USB-C ports. The optional Bose stereo was decent but not exceptional, and the navigation system needed improvement in address and Point-of-Interest searches.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer competitors. The infotainment system was intuitive, sharing its interface with Ford but with a unique Lincoln skin. It lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the cameras were low-resolution. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connection options. The 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 Kia Sorento came equipped with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. The test car also had a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control, which worked smoothly. The Sorento received four out of five stars overall from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the SX trim levels' LED headlights receiving top marks.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance in 4WD models and three stars for RWD models. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.