2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a small SUV that combined a playful and unique exterior with a more subdued rear design. Its front end featured a busy array of lighting elements, including a grille flanked by lights, additional lights above, and fog lights on certain trims. This quirky styling appealed to younger buyers seeking a fun and distinctive vehicle. Inside, the Kona maintained its lively character with neat seat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, while higher trims offered leather upgrades. The interior was well-organized, featuring a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen and intuitive physical climate controls, making it user-friendly despite its compact size.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end received a restyle, resulting in an Audi-esque grille that some felt lacked the previous model's elegance. However, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a touch of sophistication, while the upgraded Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen enhanced the overall experience. The Navigator's interior was spacious and luxurious, offering a comfortable ride for all passengers.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options: a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 1.6-litre engine delivering 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on lower trims, with all-wheel drive available as an option, and standard on higher trims. While neither engine was particularly powerful, they provided sufficient performance for city and highway driving. The Kona's handling was surprisingly agile, offering a fun and engaging driving experience. Fuel consumption ratings varied depending on the drivetrain, with the base engine and FWD achieving 8.6/7.0/7.9 L/100 km city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. This powertrain offered impressive towing capacity, ranging from 3,674 to 3,765 kilograms, depending on the configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, equipped with Road Preview technology, provided a smooth ride by adjusting to road conditions. The SUV's electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. Despite its size and weight, the Navigator handled various road conditions with ease, including snow and mud. Fuel consumption for the Navigator 4WD was rated at 13.2 L/100 km combined, with the test vehicle averaging 12.6 L/100 km during evaluation.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent front-seat headroom and legroom, with controls and displays easily accessible to both front passengers. The seats were wide and well-padded but lacked sufficient support for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good headroom, though legroom was limited. The Kona's cargo space was modest, ranking low in its segment, but the rear seats could be folded to increase capacity. Small-item storage was generous, with large door pockets and a spacious centre console area.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in interior comfort and space, offering heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 30-way power adjustments. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing a luxurious experience. Third-row passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with the long-wheelbase version providing even more capacity. Cargo volume ranged from 546 litres behind the third row to a maximum of 2,925 litres with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Optional features included SiriusXM radio, navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a simple and responsive interface. Wireless smartphone connectivity was a significant advantage for Kona buyers, although the larger touchscreen did not support this feature.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering improved functionality and ease of use. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with user profiles to save individual settings. The voice recognition system was improved but not flawless. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system featured Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered an exceptional listening experience.

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, automatic emergency braking, and cruise control. AWD models added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional upgrades included lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and parking sensors.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system became standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake in unsafe situations, while Active Park Assist 2.0 allowed the Navigator to park itself. ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous driving technology, enabled hands-free driving on approved highways. While the system performed well, drivers were still required to remain attentive.