2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, distinguished by its unique design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. The Navigator featured a distinctive lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its luxurious appearance. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system added a welcoming touch, while the black roof pillars created a wraparound glass effect. Inside, the Navigator offered a mid-century modern aesthetic with high-quality materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic glass roof, enhancing its luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Kona presented a playful and youthful design, appealing to a younger audience. Its exterior was characterized by a busy front end with multiple lighting elements, while the rear maintained a more traditional crossover look. Inside, the Kona balanced fun with functionality, featuring neat seat patterns and a well-organized interior. The infotainment system was positioned high on the dash, complemented by physical climate controls, creating an intuitive and user-friendly environment.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine outperformed the Ford Expedition's most powerful version by 50 horsepower and 30 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, the Navigator offered multiple drive modes to suit various driving conditions. It boasted a maximum towing capacity of 3,764 kilograms, aided by the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system. Despite its power, the Navigator's fuel efficiency was a concern, averaging 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The SUV's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, though it struggled with impact harshness on rough roads.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two engine options: a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo engine featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Kona's performance was not about raw power but rather agility and engagement, making it fun to drive. Fuel efficiency varied with drivetrain configurations, with the base engine and FWD achieving 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined, while the turbo engine with AWD recorded 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with the optional Luxury Package providing 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second row could be configured with either a bench or captain's chairs, and the third row offered class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was generous, with the standard model providing up to 2,928 litres and the longer Navigator L offering up to 3,407 litres.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona, while compact, provided decent front-seat headroom and legroom, with controls easily accessible. The rear seats offered good headroom but limited legroom, and the large rear door openings facilitated child seat installation. However, the Kona's cargo space was limited compared to competitors, though small-item storage was ample and well-placed.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, with slow loading times. However, it offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The "Phone As A Key" technology was a standout feature, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided excellent sound quality, and additional tech included a surround-view camera and head-up display.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, though it lacked wireless smartphone connectivity. The system was user-friendly, with colourful and responsive software. Available tech included SiriusXM radio, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not tested it.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision avoidance assist, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Optional upgrades included lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors.