2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was an attractive SUV that balanced character with elegance. Its design was neither awkward nor plain, offering a sophisticated presence. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence added a touch of luxury, while the interior of the Black Label model featured distinct design themes like Chalet and Flight, with premium leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. However, some elements, such as the center console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces, appeared less refined.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid embraced a bold and distinctive design, with a radically styled front end featuring angular LED headlights and "boomerang" LED daytime running lights. The Sportage Hybrid's design was a departure from the norm, aiming to stand out rather than blend in. The interior was centered around a large optional infotainment display, with a clean and minimalist look that was more elegant than some of its competitors. However, the use of SynTex artificial leather in place of real leather felt somewhat cheap, despite Kia's promotion of it as an "animal-free" alternative.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options. The standard and Reserve trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an option. The Black Label trim featured a more powerful twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, requiring all-wheel drive. The Nautilus provided Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with the adaptive suspension adjusting accordingly. The V6 engine offered a smooth and powerful driving experience, although the steering lacked engagement. The Nautilus achieved an average of 25 mpg over a long-distance drive, with a maximum range of 450 miles on the highway.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid utilized a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor, producing a total of 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The base LX trim offered front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, while the EX and SX-Prestige trims were all-wheel drive only. The powertrain delivered smooth and predictable acceleration, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The Sportage Hybrid's transmission provided smooth shifts and quick responses, contributing to a quiet and comfortable ride. However, the steering felt artificially heavy in Sport mode, and the Sportage Hybrid's towing capacity was limited to 2,000 pounds.

Inside the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label, passengers enjoyed smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet cabin thanks to Active Noise Control. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage programs for added comfort. Rear passengers had heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, though legroom was tight for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, some storage areas were difficult to access, and the interior design felt somewhat tacked on.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid provided competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom and cargo space than the non-hybrid version. It offered more front-seat headroom than some rivals but less for rear passengers. The dual-level cargo floor added flexibility, with 39.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 73.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Sportage Hybrid's interior featured a rotary shift knob, large storage bins, and clever cupholders, enhancing practicality and convenience.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Black Label trim included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive and user-friendly, with physical stereo and climate controls. The Phone as a Key feature allowed the smartphone to function as a digital key.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The EX model upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the SX-Prestige featured a panoramic display combining the touchscreen with a digital instrument cluster. The panoramic display was visually impressive and user-friendly, though Android Auto didn't utilize the entire screen. The Sportage Hybrid included touch controls and analog knobs for audio and climate adjustments, with additional USB-C ports and an optional Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Black Label trim added Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid's safety ratings were unavailable at the time of testing. The base LX trim included forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and more. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the SX-Prestige offered advanced features like adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot view camera, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Sportage Hybrid's safety features were competitive, though some rivals offered adaptive cruise control as standard.