2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, offered a surprisingly big-car feel. Its upright design provided a commanding view of the road, and while the headlight design was somewhat busy, it seamlessly integrated with the grille styling. Although not intended for off-roading, the Seltos featured an aggressive lower front bumper, hinting at its adventurous spirit. The red circles around the wheel centres added a touch of sportiness, complementing its on-road dynamics. The interior boasted a straightforward design with clean lines and tech features reminiscent of upscale brands. The intuitive layout included a clean LCD screen for climate controls and a touchscreen atop the dash, enhancing its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator exuded elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton vehicle. Its styling was defined by simple rectilinear shapes, with a few chrome accents adding a touch of class. The Pristine White model, with its white-painted grille and black wheels, was particularly striking. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven colour palettes and attention to finer details. The wood trim, push-button gear selector, and floating centre console contributed to a modern and muted aesthetic. The Perfect Position seats, with their 30-way adjustability, offered unparalleled comfort, making the Navigator's interior feel luxurious and spacious.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and EX Premium trims were equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While adequate for city driving, it lacked power at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for highway driving and quick acceleration. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivered an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD, made the Navigator feel surprisingly agile for its size. Its towing capacity was a substantial 3,765 kilograms. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, averaging 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres. While the Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a comfortable ride, its steering and brakes lacked the precision found in competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Despite this, the Navigator's powerful engine and refined cabin made it a comfortable highway cruiser.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered impressive cargo space for a subcompact SUV, with 752 litres behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with the seats folded. It featured numerous storage compartments and provided ample rear-seat space, making it one of the most spacious options in its class.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, with its boxy design, provided generous interior space, accommodating up to eight passengers. It offered 546 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 1,627 litres behind the second, and 2,925 litres in total. The Navigator L variant provided even more storage. The interior featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system, though it lacked some features found in German competitors. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, offering excellent visibility, though parking could be challenging due to its size.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base trims, while the EX Premium and SX Turbo offered a larger 10.25-inch screen. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it required a wired connection. The infotainment was user-friendly, with hard buttons for easy navigation.

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

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with a comprehensive array of airbags, electronic stability control, and child-seat anchor latches. Most trims included advanced driver-assistance features like collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included inflatable rear seat belts, though adaptive cruise control was not as advanced as some competitors.