Lincoln Nautilus vs Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos experienced a mid-cycle refresh, incorporating subtle changes that collectively lent the vehicle a refreshed appearance without a significant price increase. The updated headlight and grille designs, coupled with a light strip connecting the taillights, made the Seltos stand out more than its predecessor. The test model was showcased in a striking new “Pluton Blue” paint color. Inside, the Seltos revealed two new interior color options: “Gentle Brown” and “Midnight Green,” although the test model featured the standard black interior. The most noteworthy update was the expansive digital panel covering two-thirds of the dashboard, merging a fully digital instrument panel with a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

The Seltos trims ranged from LX to S, EX, X-Line, and SX. The LX trim included basic features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The higher S trim added fog lights, LED daytime running lights, and silver roof rails, along with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The EX trim offered further enhancements like synthetic leather upholstery and a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat. The X-Line trim introduced unique styling elements but at the expense of certain conveniences like the wireless charging pad. Finally, the SX trim came with high-end features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, a Bose premium stereo system, and the option for a sunroof package.

In contrast, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, available in Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label trims, introduced a more sophisticated and streamlined exterior design. The new grille, featuring LED lighting that extended through it and illuminated the Lincoln star logo, was particularly noteworthy. The car's profile was also aesthetically enhanced by placing door handles higher up and integrating them into the beltline. At the rear, a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports continued this horizontal design language.

Inside, the Nautilus truly excelled. The interior featured high-quality materials, including polished metal, open pore wood, and premium leather, complemented by ambient lighting. The piano key shifter style was a nod to Lincoln's design tradition, even if it wasn't universally loved. An optional Jet Appearance Package added two-tone paint, black exterior trim, and up to 22-inch wheels, depending on the model.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engines. The base was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a Kia's IVT, a form of continuously variable transmission (CVT) designed to simulate gears. The base LX trim came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), while front-wheel drive (FWD) was available on the S and EX, with AWD as an option. The higher X-Line and SX trims boasted a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine significantly improved acceleration, especially from 40-to-60 mph, even though it exhibited slight turbo lag at lower speeds. The Seltos handled well on various New England road surfaces, offering a comfortable and responsive drive with minimal body roll.

On the other hand, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The power delivery was smooth and the shifts were subtle. An optional hybrid setup, available for an additional $1,500, offered a combined power output of 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and it boasted an impressive EPA estimated 30 mpg combined, along with a total range of over 600 miles. The hybrid's continuously variable transmission (CVT) avoided the typical CVT pitfalls, offering a smooth and enjoyable ride. All Nautilus models came with AWD and five drive modes, including Normal, Excite, Conserve, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. The adaptive suspension, available as an option, further enhanced the driving experience by adjusting the ride quality based on the selected drive mode.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 26.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place. An optional hands-free power liftgate was available in the top-tier SX trim. The Seltos featured an upright seating position providing solid driver visibility and ample headroom. It also offered impressive rear legroom, accommodating taller occupants both in the front and the rear. Storage solutions included sizable in-door cupholders, in-door cubbies, and a small but open front center console tray. The SX trim additionally included a removable cargo cover, which was practical for placing lightweight items.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus provided 36 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with the seats folded down in the Premiere trim. However, cargo space was slightly reduced in the Reserve and Black Label trims. Despite this, it's more spacious than competitors like the Lexus RX. The Nautilus-only seating configuration for five might be limiting compared to rivals offering three rows, but the rear legroom, especially in the Black Label trim, was exceptional at 43 inches. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and cooled across all trims. The Black Label’s 24-way Perfect Position front seats, with continuous massage and heating functions, stood out as particularly comfortable.

The Nautilus provided unique features such as the Lincoln Rejuvenate feature, which combined massage, lighting, and screen images to induce varying moods, and the option for a scented cabin. While the rear seats didn’t match the front’s luxury, they were still quite spacious and comfortable, especially for taller passengers.

Technology in the 2024 Kia Seltos varied by trim. The base model featured an 8-inch touchscreen with a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster. All other trims had a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Both systems included a logical layout, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Despite the industry trend towards more screen-based controls, Kia preserved tactile elements like volume and tuning dials and manual climate control buttons. Higher trims like the SX boasted an eight-speaker Bose premium stereo system and the Digital Key 2 Touch, which allowed smartphone control over vehicle access.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, however, took in-car technology to another level with a 48-inch curved display stretching across the dashboard. This included a digital dash for the driver and customizable sections displaying various information. A smaller 11.1-inch touchscreen, located on the center console, managed basic infotainment tasks and featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While HVAC controls were easily accessible on this screen, adjusting vents required navigating through menus, which could be distracting. Additional features included Google maps, Alexa Built-in, gaming, web browsing, and over-the-air updates. Wireless charging and multiple USB-A and USB-C ports throughout the cabin were standard.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came equipped with a range of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-follow assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. The S trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. The top-tier SX trim featured advanced systems like smart cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, navigation-based curve prediction, traffic sign recognition, highway driving assist, and junction-turning forward collision warning.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus featured the comprehensive Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS technologies, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. Notably, every Nautilus offered the hands-free/eyes-up Blue Cruise 1.2 technology. This feature combined adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist on pre-mapped highways and included an automatic lane-change assist with driver signaling. Although the complete Blue Cruise technology was only standard on the Black Label trim, it was available for a trial period on other trims. The 2023 Nautilus received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, suggesting similar expectations for the 2024 model.