2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its competitors' styles. Instead, it adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia EV6 offered a sportier and more svelte design, reminiscent of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its low and wide stance, combined with a highback tail and voluptuous curves, gave it a distinctive look. The interior featured dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting and digital controls added to the futuristic feel, making the EV6 enjoyable to drive.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This power was routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with options for rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain offered brisk acceleration and a smooth power delivery, although the vehicle's heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly the GT-Line e-AWD model, featured two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, it could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The upcoming GT trim promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The EV6 excelled in torque delivery and handling, with multiple regenerative braking settings and a quick drive mode selector. However, its driving range was disappointing in cold weather, and charging times varied depending on the station.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially with captain's chairs, provided ample space and comfort. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative functions like pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. The interior provided generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited to 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The high load floor and low roof height further restricted space. The EV6 also offered a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds and an onboard power generator.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and easy to use. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a fully digital instrument panel, and an optional head-up display (HUD) with crisp graphics.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was simple and quick, with connectivity options (except wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto). The instrument panel showed live feeds of blind spots and had a 3D bar graph for power and speed. The 360-degree cameras were sharp, and the HUD used augmented reality for directional arrows. Higher trims featured a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results but came with impressive standard safety tech, including lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking and evasive steering assist. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.