2022 Kia Seltos vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering four trim levels in Canada: LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. All trims except the LX came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), with prices ranging from $23,595 to $33,195, excluding a $1,850 destination charge. The U.S. model tested, the 2022 Kia Seltos Nightfall Edition, was similar to the top SX grade, featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The SX trim in Canada had an MSRP of $33,195, excluding destination fees. The Seltos was a small SUV with a stylish interior, though it had an abundance of hard plastic that detracted from its overall appeal. The controls were logically arranged, but the infotainment system's purple accent colour was not to everyone's taste.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was a three-row, midsize crossover with a striking modern Lincoln face and grille. It offered a choice between a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine and a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Grand Touring model combined the V6 with a 10-speed hybrid automatic transmission, a 75-kilowatt electric motor, and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Prices ranged from $73,400 to $85,400, excluding a $2,495 destination charge. The fully loaded Grand Touring model tested in Canada was priced at $103,745, including destination fees. The Aviator's interior was luxurious, with high-end materials and a panoramic glass sunroof. However, some chrome detailing felt cheap, and the key fob was too large and plasticky. The Aviator's design was more Art Deco than Japandi, with a mix of patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, and chrome accents.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims, producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) was standard, with AWD available on the EX and EX Premium. The SX trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The Seltos offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system had a Lock function for even power distribution at lower speeds, and the Seltos was capable of light off-roading. However, the suspension tuning was less than ideal, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation. The Seltos was easy to park and offered good visibility, but road noise was significant on the highway.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring was a plug-in hybrid with a combined power output of 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. It offered 34 kilometres of electric driving range and averaged 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres in hybrid mode. The Aviator featured multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Tow/Haul. The drivetrain was powerful but sometimes unpredictable, with inconsistent brake pedal behaviour. The Aviator's Dynamic Handling Package with adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension provided a smooth ride, but the SUV was not particularly engaging to drive. The Aviator excelled in comfort and isolation, making it ideal for highway cruising.

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 manually adjustable, and heated front seats were standard on all trims except the base LX FWD. The rear seat was spacious, with generous footroom and rear air conditioning vents on upper trims. Cargo space measured 752 litres behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort, featuring a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and massaging 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive, but the third row was cramped and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited to 519 litres with the third row in use, expanding to 1,183 litres with the third row folded and 2,200 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. It included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was intuitive but lacked a native conversational voice recognition system, making smartphone integration essential.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Lincoln Connect connected services. However, it ran on the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The Aviator also offered a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system, wireless charging, and a Phone As A Key digital key system. The digital instrumentation and head-up display were user-friendly, and the parking sensors and surround-view camera system were helpful.

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 SX offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, and forward-collision warning. The Aviator also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and evasive steering assist. The standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.