2020 Hyundai Kona vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Hyundai Kona was a standout in the subcompact SUV segment with its sleek, sporty, and dramatic exterior design. It was larger than the Ford EcoSport and managed to look exciting despite its compact dimensions. The Kona's design cleverly masked the inherent stubbiness of small vehicles, with tiered lighting, a tall grille, and matte plastic trim that made it appear taller and wider. The exterior was visually stimulating, with slim LED running lamps, optional fog lights, and fender creases that directed attention to the thin taillights. The Kona's two-tone alloy wheels, sloping roof, and ground-hugging stance contributed to its premium vibe. However, the interior did not match the exterior's quality, with hard plastics and lackluster finishes. While the buttons and screens were functional, the overall tactile quality was below competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Honda HR-V.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator exuded elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton truck. Its styling featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-colour grille, and full-width taillights, with chrome accents adding a touch of class. The Navigator's interior was impressive, with seven colour palettes and a focus on finer details. The wood trim, push-button gear selector, and floating centre console contributed to a modern and muted aesthetic. The materials were of high quality, and the Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, providing a luxurious experience. While the Navigator's ride was not as supple as the Cadillac Escalade's, its low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined choice for highway driving.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona surprised many with its impressive powertrain and chassis. Its 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four engine delivered 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, outperforming most competitors in the segment. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission provided strong acceleration and confidence when merging onto highways. The Kona's handling was exceptional, with fast and direct steering, a tight suspension, and wide tires offering steady grip. However, the ride was stiffer, and the cabin was noisier compared to more refined competitors. Fuel efficiency was average, with the Kona 1.6T AWD rated at 9.0 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD, the Navigator offered impressive acceleration and a smooth driving experience. Its towing capacity was substantial at 3,765 kilograms. However, fuel efficiency was poor, with a combined rating of 13.8 L/100 km. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the superior control of the Cadillac Escalade. Despite this, the Navigator's overall refinement and power made it a compelling choice for highway driving.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona struggled with interior space, offering seating for four and limited cargo capacity. With 544 litres of cargo space and 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded, it lagged behind competitors like the Honda HR-V and Kia Soul. The Kona's controls were easy to use, and the infotainment system was simple and fast. However, its cramped interior made it more akin to a small hatchback than a true crossover.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, accommodating six adults comfortably. It featured a tall box shape, providing 546 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 1,627 litres behind the second, and 2,925 litres in total. The Navigator Reserve included heated rear seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with large windows and a high driving position enhancing visibility. However, parking was challenging due to its size, despite the 360-degree cameras.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona came with a good list of standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, and heated side mirrors. The Luxury and Ultimate trims added a sunroof and adaptive cruise control. The Ultimate trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and impressive lane-centring abilities on the highway.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system felt outdated compared to competitors. While it included Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio, it lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system was good but not exceptional. The software was intuitive, with fast voice recognition, but lacked onboard apps and wireless updates. The Navigator included wireless device charging and a rear entertainment system with Roku media streaming.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona received five stars overall in NHTSA crash tests and was rated a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It came with standard forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. However, it lacked front knee airbags and rear side airbags.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance. It included standard automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Optional features included inflatable rear seat belts and adaptive cruise control, although it lacked advanced self-steering capabilities.