2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, a full-size luxury SUV, maintained its imposing presence with minimal changes from the previous year. Despite the anticipation of an electric version, the current model continued to offer a blend of luxury and functionality. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured the Monochromatic Package, which included black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim, enhancing its sleek appearance. Inside, the cabin was adorned with quality materials, including real wood trim and chrome accents, though some switchgear failed to convey the luxury expected at this price point. The ambient lighting added a touch of character, and the Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, though largely ignored by passengers, was a notable feature.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Kona showcased a modern design, emphasizing its electric vehicle roots. The new Kona featured a seamless horizon styling with a single LED headlight dominating the front end, reminiscent of the Ioniq 5. Despite its increased size, the Kona retained a recognizable silhouette, with new design elements like the creased parametric surface of the doors and substantial black body cladding. The interior saw significant updates, including 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, and the cabin offered a more comfortable and roomier space for passengers.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain, the Navigator offered five driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. The SUV averaged 15.6 mpg on a Southern California testing loop, slightly below its EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. The adaptive damping suspension, though standard, failed to provide a smooth ride, with the SUV feeling truck-like over smaller bumps. In Excite mode, the suspension stiffened, improving the ride but negatively impacting fuel efficiency. The Navigator's nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes, especially on mountain roads, and its size proved cumbersome in urban settings.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona retained its predecessor's engine lineup, with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the SE and SEL trims, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The N-Line and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. During a test drive from Baltimore to the Maryland countryside, the Kona Limited exhibited intuitive steering and nimble handling, though pickup was slightly slow even with the turbo engine. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional fee, slightly reducing fuel economy estimates.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across all three rows and a generous cargo area. The test vehicle featured Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, providing comfort for long journeys. However, the numerous adjustments proved challenging to perfect. Storage space was ample, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The extended-length Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

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 increased to 25.5 cubic feet 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 to the cargo area. Inside, the cabin offered practical storage solutions, including a handy shelf on the passenger's side of the dash and a guardrail on the wireless charging pad. The Kona's seating options included cloth seats for SE and SEL trims, a leather/suede combination for N-Line, and H-Tex leatherette for Limited, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on the Limited trim.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by a widescreen head-up display and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system for rear passengers. The Sync 4 infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition. The digital assistant performed well, accurately responding to commands, while the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality. However, the wireless smartphone charger caused the phone to overheat, and the rear-seat entertainment system was largely unused by passengers.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona introduced a 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen display as standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on lower trims. An over-the-air update was promised to add wireless connectivity to higher trims. The Kona featured a new Wi-Fi hotspot, and the upgraded stereo system was provided by Bose. Dual 12.3-inch screens created a panoramic view in the cabin, and Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were standard across the lineup. The Kona also included two USB-C ports in the front and two at the back of the center console for rear-seat passengers.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. Notable features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. However, BlueCruise struggled with curves, mixed pavement surfaces, and construction zones, requiring frequent driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with standard Safe Exit Warning, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-beam assist was standard, and adaptive cruise control was included on N-Line and Limited trims. The Limited trim also featured Surround View Monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist suite provided smooth lane-keep assist, though it was slightly resistant to cancellation on backroads.