2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a significant departure from its predecessors, which closely resembled the Ford Expedition. While it shared some structural elements with the Expedition, the Navigator distinguished itself with unique design features, including a distinctive turn signal stalk. The Navigator's exterior exuded elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton vehicle. Its rectilinear shapes, body-color grille, and subtle chrome accents contributed to its classy appearance. The Pristine White model, with its white-painted grille and black wheels, was particularly striking during winter tests in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Navigator's interior was equally impressive, with seven color palettes and meticulous attention to detail. The Slate Gray interior of the test vehicle showcased layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were of high quality, and the Black Label trims offered even more luxurious textures and softer leather.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage's design was a mixed bag. While Kia's tiger-nose grille worked well on other models, it didn't quite fit the Sportage, giving it a somewhat awkward appearance. However, Kia got many other design details right, such as the four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and the Volkswagen-style symmetry of the rear fascia. The Sportage had a planted stance with its 19-inch wheels pushed to the corners. Inside, the Sportage featured Germanic design cues, with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and plain white markings on a black background. The SX Turbo trim added metal pedal covers and offered a choice of black, gray, or beige interiors. The buttons and knobs made it easy to adjust various functions, and the transmission shifter's solid operation imparted a sense of quality.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine borrowed from the Ford Raptor, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine made the Navigator feel surprisingly agile for its size, and it produced a satisfying intake snarl and turbo whoosh. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator was available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, and the Navigator had a substantial towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens and fitting the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the sophistication of the Cadillac Escalade's magnetic shocks and air springs. The steering and brakes were also less precise compared to the Escalade, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most models came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, which was competitive but unremarkable. The Sportage SX Turbo, however, featured a more robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, making it a standout in the compact crossover segment. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system was available as an option. The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque arriving at a low 1,450 rpm and remaining available until 3,500 rpm. The Sportage's suspension, featuring a MacPherson strut front and independent multi-link rear setup, provided a smooth and compliant ride. The SX Turbo also had upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels. While the Sportage felt athletic and sporty in turns, its steering could have been quicker and sharper, and the tires could have offered better grip.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious interior, akin to a small bedroom. It could comfortably accommodate six adults, with an optional bench seat in the second row increasing the capacity to eight passengers. The boxy shape of the Navigator provided ample cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and a total of 103 cubic feet. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage capacity. The rear glass could open separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for loading and unloading. The Navigator Reserve trim included heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate control system. However, the second-row seats did not electrically recline, and there were no side window shades. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with numerous customization options. The large windows and high driving position provided excellent visibility, though parking could be challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite being on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, and the front seats were both heated and ventilated. The driver's seat had ten-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat had eight-way power adjustment. Rear seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. However, the maximum cargo volume of 60.1 cubic feet fell short of segment leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Sportage's smart liftgate technology allowed for hands-free operation, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to the advanced displays in some competitors. The infotainment system was intuitive and shared its interface with Ford vehicles, but with a unique Lincoln skin. It lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the cameras were low-resolution. However, the Navigator included onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. The rear entertainment system supported Roku media streaming and other connections. While the technology was not cutting-edge, it was functional and easy to use.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trim levels included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo added wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for stereo volume and radio tuning, and logical onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system was starting to show its age, lacking a WiFi hotspot and offering wired instead of wireless smartphone mirroring. Despite these limitations, the system was simple and effective.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator did not offer knee airbags, but optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row were a unique safety feature. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, though it did not perform as well as some competitors in terms of self-steering and lane tracking.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were available on higher trims or with the LX Value Edition Package. The SX Turbo trim included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favorable crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick award.