2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have likened to a frog-like appearance. Despite this, Kia described the Sportage's styling as "Euro-focused." This two-row crossover SUV had a short wheelbase and overhangs, making it well-suited for urban environments. The headlights were carried over from the previous year, and the Sportage offered wheel options ranging from 17 to 19 inches. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen served as the focal point, surrounded by air vents and complemented by physical buttons and knobs for easy control. The interior, while not the most advanced, provided a comfortable and pleasant experience for occupants.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, on the other hand, embraced a unique design that set it apart from its competitors. Drawing inspiration from the successful Navigator, the Aviator showcased sharp lines and chrome accents, creating a striking appearance. Inside, the Aviator's cabin exuded comfort and warmth, with soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen dominating the dashboard. The piano button shifter added a touch of elegance, and the soothing chimes contributed to the luxurious atmosphere. The Aviator offered various trims, each with its own set of features, from synthetic leather upholstery and tri-zone climate control in the Standard trim to the opulent Black Label Grand Touring with nearly every optional feature as standard.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in LX, EX, and SX Turbo trims, with the choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim boasted a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All models featured a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw slightly lower figures. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left room for improvement.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a robust performance with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the option of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or AWD. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, with an electric-only range of up to 21 miles. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered unique options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience. While the Aviator excelled on highways, its long wheelbase made city driving a bit challenging.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, though on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, along with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring model, offered captain's chairs and a digital control panel for added convenience. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality in case of a battery failure.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with standard Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports. Most trims also included Kia's UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus and physical controls.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system. The landscape layout of the screen provided a natural viewing experience, and the system was intuitive with a sensible menu layout. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were well-integrated, and the Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with clear graphics.

The 2021 Kia Sportage excelled in safety, offering a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received high safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.