2022 Kia Seltos vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

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 luxurious cabin featuring soft-touch materials, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and a piano button shifter. The soothing chimes and massaging seats added to the overall sense of class and comfort.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos offered a stylish interior with a contrast-color dashboard, exposed stitching, and metallic accents. However, the abundance of hard plastic detracted from the overall feel. The Nightfall Edition trim featured cloth upholstery with simulated leather bolsters, a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, and heated front seats. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, and the cargo area was generous, making the Seltos a practical choice for daily use.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. 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 driving experience, although the Aviator's size made it less agile in tight spaces.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided a more engaging driving experience. The Seltos featured Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. However, the suspension tuning was less refined, leading to a bouncy ride on uneven roads.

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

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in interior space, with easy entry and exit, a comfortable driving position, and ample rear legroom. The Nightfall Edition trim included rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a center armrest with cupholders. Cargo space measured 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, making it a practical choice for daily use.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display added to the tech-savvy feel. The system was easy to use, with a sensible layout and redundant controls.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher trims, with Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The system was intuitive, with physical buttons for primary functions, but the voice recognition system was less reliable without an active subscription to connected services.

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

The 2022 Kia Seltos featured forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.