2022 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured a tiger-nose grille that, while successful on other Kia models, did not quite suit the Sportage. The grille, positioned under oversized headlights and above a chrome trim, resembled a fake mustache plastered on the SUV's front. Despite this, Kia nailed other design elements, such as the four-dot running lights reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and the Volkswagen-style symmetry of the rear. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels added to its stylish and planted stance.

Inside, the Sportage boasted a Germanic design with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and plain white-on-black instrumentation. The SX Turbo included metal pedal covers, and the interior offered black, gray, and beige color options for a high-contrast look. Buttons and knobs made it easy to control the stereo, cabin temperature, and infotainment system, contributing to an upscale feel. The transmission shifter's solid operation further imparted a sense of quality.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator offered a choice of powertrains, starting with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring models combined this V6 with a 10-speed hybrid automatic transmission, a 75-kilowatt electric motor, and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing standard AWD. Prices ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, with the top-of-the-line Black Label Grand Touring model costing $91,225.

The Aviator's design was appealing, with a successful execution of the modern Lincoln face. However, the wheels on the Black Label Grand Touring were too plain, detracting from its high price tag. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and electric, light-touch door handles added a touch of luxury. Inside, the Black Label Grand Touring featured a mix of high-end materials and a rich caramel-hued leather interior. However, some chrome detailing and the key fob felt cheap, and the cabin's design leaned more towards Art Deco than Japandi style.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, making it competitive but unremarkable. The SX Turbo variant, however, offered a robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, providing plenty of power for a compact crossover. Both engines used a six-speed automatic transmission, with the option of Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system.

The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm, giving it a frenetic personality in Sport mode. The Sportage featured a MacPherson strut front suspension and an independent multi-link rear suspension, with the SX Turbo getting upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels. The ride was smooth and compliant, with a hint of body roll and lateral rocking. The Sportage felt athletic and sporty up to a point, but the steering and tires could be sharper.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, generated an impressive 494 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 630 lb-ft of torque at 2,250 rpm. The EPA estimated a 21-mile electric driving range and 23 mpg combined in hybrid mode. The Aviator offered multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Tow/Haul.

During an extended evaluation drive, the Aviator covered 22.3 miles on electric power, averaging 163.4 mpg. Over 94.7 miles, it averaged 24.3 mpg, demonstrating the technology's efficiency. The Aviator was quick under hard acceleration but sometimes unpredictable. The brake pedal also produced inconsistent behavior, common with regenerative braking systems. The Aviator's Dynamic Handling Package and adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension managed body motions well, but the SUV wasn't particularly fun to drive, even in Excite mode. The steering was heavy and numb, and the Aviator prioritized a quiet, smooth ride over driving engagement.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though smaller on the compact crossover scale, offered a remarkably roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim provided perforated leather upholstery, ten-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel was standard.

Rear seat legroom was generous, and the seat was comfortable, with air conditioning vents and a USB charging port for rear passengers. However, the maximum cargo volume was limited to 60.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded, and 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat. The Sportage featured Kia's smart liftgate technology, which opened the liftgate hands-free by standing near the back of the vehicle.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with a four-zone automatic climate control system, a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and automatic heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The massaging, 30-way Perfect Position front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, with a center console for storage and controls.

However, the third-row seat was not suitable for adults, with limited kneeroom and legroom. The third-row bottom cushion was flat and offered no leg support. The Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo room with the third-row seats in use, 41.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 77.7 cubic feet of cargo space.

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 featured wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system was easy to use, with knobs for stereo volume and radio tuning, and logical onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system lacked technological sophistication, with no WiFi hotspot, hit-and-miss voice recognition, and wired smartphone mirroring.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was loaded with technology, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, Lincoln Connect connected services, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. However, it ran Lincoln's outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system was spectacular, and the warning chimes recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra were a nice touch.

Smartphone-related tech included wireless charging and the Phone As A Key digital key system. The Aviator also featured digital instrumentation and a comprehensive head-up display. The front and rear parking sensors and surround-view camera system were useful, and the Active Parking Assist 2.0 system could park the vehicle in parallel and perpendicular spaces.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims included a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning. The SX Turbo also had adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator featured Co-Pilot360 1.5, Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus, and Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver aids, depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle included automatic high-beam adaptive-pixel headlights, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The driver aids performed well, though the lane-keeping system struggled in curves. The Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.