2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator presented itself as a sophisticated three-row, midsize SUV, boasting a modern Lincoln design that was both appealing and luxurious. It offered a choice between a standard twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and a plug-in hybrid variant, both paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Aviator's exterior was marked by its elegant lighting sequence and electric, light-touch door handles, which added a touch of effortless luxury. Inside, the Black Label Grand Touring trim was lavishly appointed with high-end materials, including rich caramel-hued leather seats and a panoramic glass sunroof. However, some design elements, like the chrome detailing and stitching, felt less premium, and the key fob seemed too plasticky for a vehicle of its class.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona was designed with an electric vehicle (EV) focus, evident in its sleek, modern appearance. The front grille resembled that of the Ioniq 5, and the seamless horizon styling with a single LED headlight gave it a futuristic look. Despite its increased size, the Kona maintained a recognizable silhouette, with new design elements like the creased "parametric surface" on the doors and substantial black body cladding. The interior was updated with a driver-oriented center stack and a curved display housing both driver-information and infotainment screens. The gear shift moved to a stalk on the steering column, creating more space for storage between the driver and passenger.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, was not just about efficiency. Its drivetrain, despite adding over 800 pounds to the curb weight, delivered an impressive 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. The Aviator offered 21 miles of electric driving range and averaged 23 mpg in hybrid mode. Various driving modes, including Pure EV and Preserve EV, allowed for tailored driving experiences. During an extended evaluation drive, the Aviator demonstrated its ability to maximize efficiency, achieving an equivalent of 163.4 mpg during electric driving. The twin-turbo V6 provided ample power, though the drivetrain's responsiveness was sometimes unpredictable. The Aviator's handling was commendable, thanks to its Dynamic Handling Package, but it wasn't particularly fun to drive, focusing more on comfort and isolation.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder for the SE and SEL trims and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder for the N-Line and Limited trims. The base engine produced 147 horsepower, while the turbo offered 190 horsepower. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission was replaced with an eight-speed automatic. During a test drive, the Kona Limited and N-Line demonstrated intuitive steering and nimble handling, though pickup was slightly slow even with the turbo. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional fee. The Kona's fuel economy varied slightly depending on the drivetrain, with AWD reducing estimates to 24 city, 29 highway, and 26 mpg combined.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated seats, and massaging 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious and supportive, but the third-row seat was cramped and not suitable for adults. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, offering just 18.3 cubic feet, but expanded to 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona benefited from its increased length, providing 38.2 inches of rear-seat legroom and 38.3 inches of headroom with the sunroof. Cargo capacity improved significantly, with 25.5 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats up and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded down. The Kona Limited featured a power hands-free liftgate for easy access. Interior storage was enhanced with a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a "guardrail" on the wireless charging pad. The Kona offered a range of seating options, with cloth seats on lower trims and leather/suede combinations on higher trims.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was loaded with technology, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa integration. However, it ran on the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The Aviator featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system and smartphone-related tech like wireless charging and Phone As A Key digital key system. The digital instrumentation and head-up display were user-friendly, and parking sensors and a surround-view camera system aided in parking.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced several technological upgrades, with a 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen display standard across the lineup. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were temporarily limited to lower trims, but an OTA update was promised to add wireless connectivity to higher trims. The Kona featured a new Wi-Fi hotspot, a Bose stereo system, and dual 12.3-inch screens for a panoramic view. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard, with a subscription included for the vehicle's life.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with Co-Pilot360 driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and forward-collision warning. The test vehicle had additional features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. The Aviator's safety tech performed well on highways but was less dependable in dense traffic. The steering wheel controls were unnecessarily complicated. The Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona offered advanced driver-assistance safety features across its lineup. Standard features included Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. The Kona's Highway Driving Assist suite impressed with smooth lane-keep assist. Adaptive cruise control was standard on higher trims, and the Limited trim included Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor.