2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a design that some might have described as frog-like, with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights. Kia, however, marketed the Sportage’s styling as “Euro-focused.” This two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and short overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the 2020 model, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most tech-forward, was still a pleasant place to sit.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch design becoming standard. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille with Lincoln star and chrome detailing, which some felt reduced its elegance. Despite this, the Navigator’s updates were largely successful. 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 added to the tech-forward cabin, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered three trims: LX, EX, and SX Turbo, with either 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 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All Sportages had 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 a slight dip. The turbocharged models had lower fuel economy, with the FWD version at 20/28/23 and the AWD at 19/24/21. The Sportage’s suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left room for improvement.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), the Navigator had a towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology and a new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking response. The Navigator’s 4WD system, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and appropriate driving modes made it capable in various conditions. Fuel economy for the 4WD Navigator was 18 mpg combined, and during testing, it averaged 18.6 mpg.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while 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 an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, 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 seat folded.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator’s interior was exceptionally comfortable, with 30-way power-adjustable front seats that were heated, ventilated, and massaging. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing a luxurious experience. The third-row seat offered roomy accommodations, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. Cargo space was generous, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row (34.3 cubic feet for Navigator L), 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded (73.3 in Navigator L), and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet (120.2 cubic feet in Navigator L).

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. Most trims 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, physical buttons, and handy knobs.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new 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, with physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions. Sync 4’s voice recognition system was improved, though not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. The test vehicle also featured a 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering an exceptional audio experience.

The 2021 Kia Sportage excelled in safety, with standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage earned Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and performed well in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several 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 during unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking in parallel and perpendicular spaces. ActiveGlide, Lincoln’s semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed hands-free driving on approved highways. The system performed well but required driver attention for safety.