2022 Kia Seltos vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a range of trim levels in Canada, including LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. The Seltos, particularly in its Nightfall Edition, featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission, although this specific configuration was not available in Canada. The Seltos was noted for its appealing design, though the headlights were not universally liked. Inside, the Seltos combined style with practicality, featuring exposed stitching and metallic accents, but was criticized for its use of hard, shiny plastics. The controls were logically arranged, though the infotainment system's purple accent colour was not a favourite. Despite some nitpicking, the Seltos was larger, more refined, and more powerful than many of its competitors.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with an updated front end. While the new grille design was not universally praised, the rest of the updates were well-received. Inside, the Navigator continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring the new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The SUV also introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase styles, with the Reserve trim level being the sole option in Canada. The test vehicle, a U.S.-spec Navigator Black Label, featured a unique Central Park theme with a green interior, showcasing the vehicle's luxurious and customizable nature.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower. The turbo engine, 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. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, and the Seltos was capable of light off-roading. However, the suspension tuning was criticized for its lack of bump isolation and body motion control. Despite these issues, the Seltos was easy to park and offered good visibility.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. The SUV's towing capacity ranged from 3,674 to 3,765 kilograms, depending on the configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, equipped with Road Preview, improved ride quality by preparing for road imperfections. The new electronic brake booster enhanced brake pedal feel and response. The Navigator handled snow and mud with ease, thanks to its 4WD system and 24.5 centimetres of ground clearance. The SUV's fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres, with the test vehicle achieving 12.6 L/100 km.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The driver's seat was adjustable, and heated front seats were standard on most trims. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, though the seatback angle was slightly reclined. The Seltos offered decent storage space, with 752 litres of cargo capacity behind the rear seat and 1,778 litres with the seat folded down.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured exceptionally comfortable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing a luxurious experience. The third-row seat offered roomy accommodations, and the Navigator's independent rear suspension design contributed to its comfort. The SUV provided generous storage and cargo space, with the long-wheelbase Navigator L offering even more capacity. Cargo volume ranged from 546 litres behind the third-row seat to 2,925 litres with the second-row seats collapsed.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity, though it required a cable connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical controls for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was not as effective as using a smartphone's digital assistant.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, and allowed users to save settings to a user profile. The voice recognition system was improved, though not perfect. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, equipped with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to streaming services. The test vehicle also featured a 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering an exceptional audio experience.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The Seltos also featured a Rear Occupant Alert system and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, such as Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The SUV also featured a surround-view camera system. ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways. While the system performed well, it required the driver to remain attentive. These systems represented steps toward fully autonomous driving, emphasizing the importance of responsible driving.