2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its predecessor's design, embracing a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its sporty appearance. The front featured an expanded tiger-nose grille, complemented by squinting headlights and running lights, while a silver accent along the side added visual interest. Despite a large D-pillar that could create a blind spot, the Sorento's overall design was modern and stylish, with vertical taillights that promised to age gracefully. Inside, the Sorento offered high-value features like heated mirrors, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with varying seat adjustments across trims. The panoramic sunroof provided ample light, though it occasionally let in too much heat during a 2,100-mile road trip.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end received a restyled grille reminiscent of an Audi, which some felt lacked the elegance of previous models. However, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring the new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen was a notable upgrade, offering ample display space. The Navigator's Black Label trim, with its Central Park theme, showcased luxurious features like heated, ventilated, and massaging captain's chairs, making it a comfortable and stylish choice for discerning buyers.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the most common being a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. However, the test vehicle featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission to all-wheel drive. This setup provided ample power for merging, cruising, and passing. The Sorento also offered a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and electric motor. The AWD system with torque vectoring and a center-locking differential enhanced traction, while the X-Line package added ride height and 20-inch alloy wheels. The suspension, consisting of McPherson struts and a multi-link setup, ensured a smooth ride, and various drive modes allowed for tailored performance.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain offered impressive towing capacity, ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, featuring Road Preview technology, smoothed out imperfections in the road, while a new electronic brake booster improved pedal feel. The SUV's 4WD system, with 9.7 inches of ground clearance, handled snow and mud with ease. The Navigator achieved an average fuel economy of 18.6 mpg during testing, slightly exceeding the EPA's estimate of 18 mpg for combined driving.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while a three-row SUV, was best suited as a four-seater in its top trims due to the tight third row. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort, with ample legroom in both front and rear seats. Cargo space was limited behind the third row at 12.6 cubic feet, but folding the seats expanded it to 75.5 cubic feet. The Sorento offered practical storage solutions, including a phone slot with optional wireless charging, cupholders, and a center console bucket. However, its total cargo volume was more akin to a compact crossover.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in comfort and space, with 30-way power-adjustable front seats offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs also featured these amenities, and the third row provided ample room for passengers. The Navigator's storage and cargo space were generous, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 103.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more space, making it ideal for large families and cargo needs.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a larger 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. While the larger screen looked impressive, it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its layout limited usable display space. The Sorento included numerous USB ports but lacked USB-C options. The optional Bose stereo was adequate but not exceptional, and the navigation system needed improvement. Most drivers would likely rely on smartphone integration for navigation.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 4 infotainment system, with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, was a significant upgrade. It offered dual data panels for navigation and music, with physical controls for volume and climate functions. Sync 4 supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with user profiles to save settings. The voice recognition system was improved but not flawless. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to streaming services, though parental controls were limited. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The surround-view camera system was helpful for parking, though it could be overly sensitive. The Sorento received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with some trims receiving lower ratings for headlights.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, such as Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, and Active Park Assist 2.0. ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways. While the system performed well, it required driver attention and intervention in certain situations. The Navigator's safety features represented incremental steps toward fully autonomous driving, emphasizing the importance of driver responsibility.