2022 Kia Sportage 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 front seats added to the air of class and comfort.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While the tiger-nose grille didn't quite fit, other design elements like the four-dot running lights and 19-inch wheels gave it a stylish and planted stance. Inside, the Sportage featured Germanic design cues with polished metallic accents and a high-contrast interior. The buttons and knobs made it easy to adjust settings, and the solid transmission shifter added a sense of quality.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a robust performance with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. 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 provided brisk acceleration and a smooth swell of power, although the vehicle's heft was noticeable in corners. The drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," making it suitable for highways and cul-de-sacs but less composed in city driving.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The SX Turbo trim offered a more powerful 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission and optional Dynamax all-wheel-drive system provided a smooth and compliant ride. The SX Turbo's quick acceleration and sporty handling made it fun to drive, although it wasn't as refined as some competitors. The suspension tuning lent the Sportage a sophisticated driving character, but the steering and tires could have been sharper.

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 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel added to the comfort and functionality. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about potential issues if the battery died.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite being on the smaller side of the compact crossover scale, offered a roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. The Sportage's cargo space was 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 60.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded, falling short of segment leaders. The smart liftgate technology was a convenient feature, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system. The landscape format of the screen made for a natural layout, and the system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display added to the tech-savvy interior.

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SX Turbo trim added wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. While the infotainment system was easy to use, it lacked some advanced features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came well-equipped 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 NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received good crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating and a Top Safety Pick laurel.