2024 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was built on the N3 platform, shared with the larger Kia Sorento, resulting in a noticeable size increase over its predecessor. It was 7.1 inches longer with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase, enhancing rear-seat legroom. The new model was also about an inch taller and half an inch wider. The Sportage Hybrid featured a bold design with angular LED headlights and distinctive “boomerang” LED daytime running lights, giving it a unique appearance. The interior was centered around a large optional infotainment display, with a minimalist design that contrasted with the more rugged look of competitors like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. While the base models had cloth seats, higher trims offered SynTex artificial leather, which felt somewhat cheap despite its eco-friendly appeal.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuted with a sophisticated and streamlined exterior, featuring a new grille with LED lighting that illuminated the Lincoln star logo. The rear design included a full-width animated LED light bar and dual exhaust ports, while the profile incorporated high door handles into the beltline. The interior was a highlight, with high-quality materials, ambient lighting, and textures like open-pore wood and fine leather. The standout feature was the full-width screen, complemented by Lincoln's traditional piano key shifter style. The Jet Appearance Package offered additional customization with two-tone paint and black exterior trim. Overall, the Nautilus aimed to set a new standard in luxury SUV design.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor, producing a combined 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The base LX trim offered standard front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, while the EX and SX-Prestige trims were all-wheel drive only. This powertrain, shared with the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, provided more horsepower than rivals like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape hybrids. The Sportage Hybrid delivered smooth and predictable acceleration, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The well-tuned transmission ensured smooth shifts, contributing to a quiet cabin and comfortable ride. However, the Sportage Hybrid's steering felt nonlinear, particularly in Sport mode, and its maximum towing capacity was 2,000 pounds, less than the non-hybrid version.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For an additional $1,500, buyers could opt for the hybrid setup, which offered 310 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque, and an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was well-tuned, avoiding the typical droning associated with CVTs. The Nautilus featured all-wheel drive and five drive modes, with the available adaptive suspension enhancing the driving experience. While not a driver's car, the Nautilus could satisfy occasional performance desires. The hybrid version boasted a range of over 600 miles, though its fuel economy was outperformed by the Lexus RX hybrid.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom and cargo space than the non-hybrid version. It provided more front-seat headroom than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 hybrids but less for second-row passengers. Rear-seat legroom was best-in-class, tied with the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. The dual-level cargo floor added flexibility, with 39.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 73.7 cubic feet with them folded. The Sportage Hybrid's clever interior design included a rotary shift knob, large storage bins, and adjustable cupholders, enhancing practicality.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus excelled in interior comfort, especially with the Black Label model's 24-way Perfect Position front seats, offering unmatched comfort in the mid-size luxury SUV class. The rear seats provided 43 inches of legroom, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature combined massage, lighting, and screen images to create different moods, adding to the luxury experience. Cargo space was generous, with 36 cubic feet behind the second row and 71 cubic feet with seats folded in the Premiere trim. The Nautilus was available only with seating for five, prioritizing cargo space over additional seating.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The EX model upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the SX-Prestige offered a panoramic display combining a 12.3-inch screen 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. Higher trims offered wireless phone charging, additional USB-C ports, and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a massive 48-inch curved display, with a digital dash for the driver and customizable sections for various information. The center console housed an 11.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. While HVAC controls were easily accessible, adjusting vents required navigating menus, which could be distracting. The steering wheel controls were touch-sensitive, displaying audio or ADAS controls on the screen, though they required precision to avoid distraction. The Nautilus included Google Maps, Alexa Built-in, gaming, web browsing, and over-the-air updates. Wireless charging and USB ports were standard throughout the cabin.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid's safety features included standard forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and safe-exit warning, while the SX-Prestige offered advanced features like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, a blind-spot view camera, a 360-degree camera system, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of testing.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus came with the Lincoln CoPilot 360 suite of ADAS features, including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and emergency braking. The Blue Cruise 1.2 technology, offering hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, was available on all trims, with a trial period for lower trims and four years included for the Black Label. The 2023 Nautilus received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the 2024 model had not yet been fully rated.