2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, a full-size luxury SUV, continued to impress with its imposing presence and upscale interior. Despite lacking significant updates since its last redesign in 2018, the Navigator maintained its status as Lincoln's flagship model, offering a single trim level in Canada, the Navigator Reserve, with standard four-wheel drive. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve, featured the Monochromatic Package, adding black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim. Inside, the cabin exuded luxury with quality materials, though some chrome plastic elements fell short of conveying the desired opulence. The ambient lighting added character, and the Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, though largely ignored by teenagers, was a notable option. The Navigator's Canadian MSRP reached $131,614, including destination charges and federal luxury tax.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento received a significant visual update, aligning it more closely with its siblings, the Telluride and EV9. The Sorento's exterior boasted a bold new front end with vertically stacked LED headlights and wing-like daytime running lights, giving it a more substantial and intimidating appearance. The interior saw a modern redesign, featuring a new dashboard with a combined gauge cluster and infotainment display under a single pane of glass. The Sorento's cabin offered improved materials and a more upscale feel, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on higher trims. The Sorento's trims in Canada included LX, EX, X-Line, X-Line Limited, and the new X-Pro, each offering distinct features and styling cues.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD, the Navigator offered five drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. The SUV's adaptive damping suspension, with Road Preview, aimed to enhance ride quality, though the Navigator's ride was often criticized for its truck-like feel over smaller bumps. In Excite mode, the suspension stiffened, improving handling on mountain roads but negatively impacting fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size posed challenges in urban environments, making parking and maneuvering difficult.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sorento's AWD system provided confidence on the road, and the X-Pro trim excelled in off-road conditions with its all-terrain tires. The Sorento's fuel economy was average for its class, with the non-turbo engine achieving 9.4 L/100 km combined, while the turbocharged version recorded 10.3 L/100 km.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating in all three rows and a generous cargo area. The power-deploying running boards facilitated easy access to the cabin, where Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats provided comfort with heating, ventilation, and massage features. The second-row captain's chairs offered ample space and a pass-through to the third row, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Navigator's storage options were plentiful, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The long-wheelbase Navigator L model provided even more cargo space, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and comfortable, with ample legroom in the first two rows. The third row, while tight, offered more space than some competitors, making it suitable for occasional use by children. The Sorento's seats were comfortable, and higher trims featured noise-insulating acoustic glass and ventilated front seats. The optional captain's chairs in the second row allowed for easy access to the third row. The Sorento's cargo space was limited with the third row in use, but folding it down provided a substantial increase in capacity. The new dashboard design improved ergonomics, and the controls were logically placed for easy access.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a range of digital displays, including a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sync 4 infotainment system offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition. The Navigator's digital assistant performed well, accurately responding to voice commands. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System delivered impressive sound quality. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, though available, was underutilized by passengers. The Navigator also offered Phone As A Key technology, allowing owners to unlock and start the vehicle using a digital key.

The 2024 Kia Sorento adopted a single-pane, twin-screen setup for its gauge and infotainment displays. The central 12.3-inch touchscreen ran the new "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC) software, prioritizing popular features on the home screen. Navigation was standard on higher trims, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were now available across all models. The Sorento's infotainment system supported over-the-air updates, ensuring it remained up-to-date. The top trims featured a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system, and Digital Key 2.0 allowed for keyless access and driving using compatible smartphones.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with the Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The BlueCruise hands-free driving assist system operated on designated Hands-Free Blue Zones, though it required driver intervention in certain situations. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Kia Sorento offered an extensive suite of active safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Highway Driving Assist 2 system, available on higher trims, included automated lane changes. The Sorento's adaptive cruise control systems learned from driver behaviour, though sensor performance could be affected by adverse weather conditions. The Sorento received "Good" ratings in IIHS crash tests, though its LATCH system was rated "Acceptable."