2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a notable makeover, enhancing its overall aesthetic appeal. The vehicle was extended by 4 centimetres compared to the 2021 model, and featured a revised grille, updated front and rear fascias, and improved LED lighting. These changes, along with new character lines and alloy wheel designs, gave the Kona a more sophisticated and sporty look. Inside, the Kona's interior was redesigned to emphasize a more horizontal layout, creating a sense of spaciousness. The addition of ambient lighting in the front cupholders and footwells added a touch of elegance. The introduction of the N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-colour cladding and exclusive interior features, enhancing the vehicle's sporty appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator maintained its established design, having last been redesigned in 2018 and refreshed in 2022. The Navigator, a full-size SUV, continued to top Lincoln's lineup, offering a single trim level in Canada, the Navigator Reserve, with standard four-wheel drive. Our test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve, featured the Monochromatic Package, which included black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim. The Navigator's interior was predominantly black, with real wood trim panels and chrome accents. While the cabin exuded an upscale feel, some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the luxury experience. The Navigator's ambient lighting added character, but the overall ride quality was less than ideal, with the SUV's size proving cumbersome in urban settings.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains, catering to different performance preferences. The base trims, Essential and Preferred, were equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). For those seeking more spirited performance, the N Line trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The high-performance Kona N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine generating 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N also included exclusive driving features like N Grin Shift and N Track Sense Shift, enhancing its sporty character. Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line with the 1.6-litre engine and AWD, provided ample power and agility, making it enjoyable to drive in various settings.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The Navigator offered five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an additional Hill Climb mode available with the towing package. Despite its adaptive damping suspension, the Navigator's ride quality was inconsistent, with the SUV feeling truck-like over smaller bumps and floating over larger undulations. In Excite mode, the suspension stiffened, improving ride quality but negatively impacting fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size and weight posed challenges in urban environments, and its brakes struggled on mountain roads.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, provided a comfortable experience for front-seat occupants. Headroom and legroom were ample, even with the optional sunroof, and the front seats offered good support. However, rear-seat passengers faced challenges, with limited headroom and legroom due to the vehicle's compact dimensions. The rear door openings were small, making entry and exit somewhat awkward. Cargo space was limited, with 544 litres available with all seats up, expanding to 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across all three rows. The power-deploying running boards facilitated easy entry and exit, while the 30-way Perfect Position front seats provided heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy, and the third-row seats accommodated taller adults comfortably. Storage space was generous, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator's cargo capacity was substantial, especially in the long-wheelbase Navigator L model, which offered significantly more space behind each row of seats.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced several technological upgrades for the 2022 model year. The base Essential trim featured an 8-inch display, while the N Line and Kona N offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and traffic information. The Kona N Line with the Ultimate Package and the Kona N also included a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base 8-inch screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. Hyundai BlueLink, available on all but the Essential trim, provided connected services such as remote engine start and stolen-vehicle recovery.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, meanwhile, featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an available widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 infotainment system included Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Alexa Built-in. The Navigator's digital assistant performed well, accurately responding to voice commands. The test vehicle also boasted a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, delivering impressive sound quality. Lincoln Play, an optional rear-seat entertainment system, included dual touchscreens, though our teenage passengers preferred their smartphones.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a basic suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kona received a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all six crashworthiness tests from the IIHS. However, its child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating, preventing it from achieving Top Safety Pick status.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with the Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. Unique ADAS features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. BlueCruise, however, required frequent driver intervention, particularly in challenging driving conditions. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, but a full crashworthiness assessment was not available.