2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a standard 20-inch design. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille with the Lincoln star and chrome detailing, which some felt reduced the vehicle's elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's updates were largely successful, with the interior continuing to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a celestial touch to the cabin, enhancing the overall luxurious feel. The introduction of the Sync 4 infotainment system with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen display kept the Navigator competitive in the screen size race.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, built on the N3 platform, was larger than its predecessor, offering increased rear-seat legroom. Its bold styling featured angular LED headlights and "boomerang" LED daytime running lights, giving it a distinctive appearance. The interior was designed around a large optional infotainment display, with a minimalist look that contrasted with competitors. While the base models had cloth seats, higher trims offered SynTex artificial leather, which felt somewhat cheap. The SX-Prestige test car featured gloss black plastic trim, which quickly showed fingerprints, and a silver metallic finish that added to the interior's modern aesthetic.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It offered a towing capacity between 8,100 and 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology improved ride quality by preparing for road imperfections. The Navigator's electronic brake booster enhanced brake pedal feel, and its four-wheel drive system, combined with 9.7 inches of ground clearance, ensured confident handling in various conditions. The Navigator achieved an average fuel economy of 18.6 mpg during testing.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain provided smooth and predictable acceleration, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The well-tuned transmission offered smooth shifts, contributing to a quiet and comfortable ride. The Sportage Hybrid's steering felt nonlinear, particularly in Sport mode, and its towing capacity was 2,000 pounds. Despite not being a driver's car, it offered a pleasant driving experience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's interior boasted exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massage, enhancing passenger comfort. The third-row seat provided ample space and comfort, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with up to 103.3 cubic feet of cargo volume in the standard model and 120.2 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase version.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid had slightly less headroom and cargo space than the non-hybrid model but remained competitive in its segment. It offered more front-seat headroom than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 hybrids, with best-in-class rear-seat legroom. The dual-level cargo floor provided flexibility, with 39.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 73.7 cubic feet with them folded. The interior featured a rotary shift knob, large storage bins, and clever cupholders, maximizing available space.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering improved functionality and user-friendliness. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with voice recognition capabilities that were better than the previous model. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered an exceptional listening experience.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid came with an 8-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a panoramic display combining the touchscreen with a digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system offered pleasing graphics and responsive controls, with touch controls and analog knobs for audio and climate functions. The Sportage Hybrid also included multiple USB-C ports, wireless phone charging, and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed hands-free driving on approved highways, though driver attention was still required. The system performed well within its limits but required driver intervention in certain situations.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid's safety features included forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor as standard on the base LX trim. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, safe-exit warning, adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot view camera, a 360-degree camera system, and Highway Driving Assist. The Sportage Hybrid offered advanced safety features not found in some competitors.