2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Kia Sportage arrived with a completely redesigned look that was both exciting and exotic. Its styling, reminiscent of French automakers like Renault or Citroen, featured standout elements such as bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar. The new model offered seven trim levels, including the new X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige trims. Inside, Kia opted for synthetic leather upholstery, which, while durable and animal-friendly, didn't quite match the feel of genuine leather. The driver’s seat provided excellent visibility, and the dash was dominated by over two feet of display in trims above the base LX. However, the interior also had some hard-wearing plastic and piano-black plastic that picked up fingerprints easily.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator made subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and a restyled front end with an Audi-esque grille. The SUV continued to impress with its quality materials and mid-century modern design inside. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a touch of elegance, resembling a twilight sky. The Navigator also introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The SUV was available in standard and long-wheelbase styles with Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims. The Black Label trim, in particular, featured luxurious touches like heated, ventilated, and massaging second-row captain’s chairs.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It was available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The engine, while slightly more powerful and fuel-efficient than the previous model, lacked the punch of the discontinued turbocharged engine. The Sportage also introduced the X-Line and X-Pro trims, with the latter offering genuine off-roading features like BF Goodrich all-terrain tires and specific drive modes. The AWD models provided 8.3 inches of ground clearance, making the Sportage capable off-road, though it leaned heavily in corners and generated road noise on pavement.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering a robust 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The SUV's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The Navigator also featured an updated adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview, which prepared the suspension for bumps and potholes. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. The Navigator handled well in various conditions, including snow and mud, thanks to its 9.7 inches of ground clearance and appropriate driving modes.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, now larger than its predecessor, offered impressive interior space with 41.3 inches of rear-seat legroom and 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat. Folding the back seat down expanded the cargo space to 74.1 cubic feet. The front seats provided decent storage space, but the HVAC controls were frustratingly overcomplicated with touch-sensitive buttons that doubled as navigation controls.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to offer exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, making long trips comfortable. The third-row seat remained roomy and supportive. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more cargo space.

The 2023 Kia Sportage featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on EX and higher trims, paired with a panoramic, curved 12.3-inch driver information display on the SX trim and up. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were wired on the top-of-the-line interface, while the base LX trim offered wireless versions with an 8-inch screen. The Sportage also included wireless charging, rear USB-C charging ports, navigation, Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and a Harman Kardon stereo on higher trims. The icons on the screen were similar in appearance, making it difficult to find the right button while driving.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and featured a user-friendly interface with physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions. The Navigator also offered a new Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The test vehicle included a 28-speaker Revel 3D high-end audio system, delivering an exceptional audio experience.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came standard with a range of collision-avoidance tech and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, lane-departure warning, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, and adaptive cruise control. The SX Prestige and X-Pro Prestige trims included the blind-view monitor and Highway driving assist, though these features were not available on lower trims. The 2023 Sportage had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system was also newly standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake for unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking in parallel and perpendicular spaces. ActiveGlide, Lincoln’s semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways. The system performed well but required the driver to remain attentive.