2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a departure from its predecessors, which often resembled dressed-up Ford Expeditions. While it shared some structural elements with the Expedition, such as side glass and the general shape of the rear seats, the Navigator stood out with its unique design and luxurious feel. Its elegant and understated styling was impressive for a vehicle of its size, featuring simple rectilinear shapes, a body-colour grille, and a few chrome accents. The Pristine White model with black wheels and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator offered a modern and muted interior with seven colour palettes, high-quality materials, and tight panel gaps. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 different ways, added to the luxurious experience, making it one of the most comfortable large SUVs available.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a compact yet stylish design. The Seltos Nightfall Edition, tested in the U.S., featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. While the headlights were not universally loved, the interior boasted a good sense of style with exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents. However, the abundance of hard plastic detracted from the overall quality. The controls were logically arranged, and the infotainment system, despite its purple accent colour, was intuitive. The Seltos was larger and more refined than many of its direct competitors, offering a more powerful driving experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a remarkable twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD in Canada, provided a surprisingly sprightly performance for a vehicle of its size. The Navigator's towing capacity was impressive at 3,765 kilograms, although its fuel efficiency was less than stellar, averaging 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined. While the Navigator's adaptive dampers were standard, the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Despite some shortcomings in steering and braking precision, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power, with paddle shifters adding a touch of sportiness.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower. The latter, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided a more engaging driving experience. The Seltos featured Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. However, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with the Seltos struggling over speed bumps and uneven pavement. Despite these issues, the Seltos felt lively in urban environments and offered good grip on smooth corners. The AWD system, with a Lock function, provided surefootedness in light off-roading conditions.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered an impressive amount of interior space, akin to a small bedroom. It could comfortably accommodate six adults, with a possible total of eight passengers if the optional bench seat was chosen for the second row. Cargo space was generous, with 546 litres behind the third row, 1,627 litres behind the second, and 2,925 litres in total. The Navigator Reserve model featured heated rear second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, although parking could be challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior that was easy to live with daily. The ride height and large door openings made entry and exit effortless. The front seats were comfortable, with heated seats standard on most trims. The rear seat provided ample legroom and footroom, although the seatback angle was slightly too reclined. Cargo space was decent, with 752 litres behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down. The Seltos also featured practical storage solutions, such as a smartphone shelf and plastic grocery bag hooks.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system felt outdated compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. While it offered Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, it lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The software was intuitive, with fast voice recognition, but there were no onboard apps or wireless software updates. The Navigator did include wireless device charging and a rear entertainment system with Roku media streaming.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher trims, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. It featured Bluetooth, a navigation system, connected services, and satellite radio. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection, the system was intuitive and user-friendly. However, the voice recognition system was less effective without an active subscription to connected services. The Seltos also included physical controls for primary infotainment functions, enhancing usability.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with four stars for rollover resistance. It offered standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and inflatable rear seat belts for the second row.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The Seltos SX offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.