2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a notable makeover, extending its length by 4 centimetres compared to the previous model. The updated design featured a revised grille, enhanced LED lighting, and new character lines, giving it a more sophisticated appearance. The sporty N Line and Kona N trims introduced unique styling elements, such as body-colour cladding and exclusive wheel designs, enhancing the vehicle's athletic look. Inside, the Kona's interior was reimagined with a more horizontal layout, ambient lighting, and sporty touches like red stitching and N logos, particularly in the N Line and Kona N trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end was restyled, featuring a grille reminiscent of an Audi A4, which some felt diminished its elegance. Despite this, the Navigator maintained its luxurious appeal with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The interior boasted Lincoln's Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme, creating a visually stunning experience. The Navigator's updates, including a new Sync 4 infotainment system, contributed to a successful refresh, despite the grille's mixed reception.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains, catering to various performance preferences. The base trims, Essential and Preferred, featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. For those seeking more excitement, the N Line trim provided a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a seven-speed DCT. The high-performance Kona N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N included exclusive features like launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing its sporty appeal.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the Navigator came standard with 4WD, offering impressive towing capacities between 3,674 and 3,765 kilograms, depending on configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, equipped with Road Preview, ensured a smooth ride by preparing for road imperfections. The SUV's electronic brake booster improved brake response, addressing previous concerns. Despite its substantial curb weight, the Navigator handled various road conditions with ease, maintaining stability and comfort.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, provided a comfortable experience for front-seat occupants, with ample headroom and legroom. The N Line's front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat passengers faced challenges due to limited headroom and legroom, exacerbated by the vehicle's compact dimensions. Cargo space was modest, with 544 litres available with all seats up, expanding to 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. The Kona's towing capacity was not recommended, limiting its utility for larger loads.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in interior comfort and space, offering heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 30-way power adjustments. The second-row captain's chairs provided similar comfort, with the added benefit of the Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system. The third-row seats remained spacious and supportive, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator's cargo capacity was generous, with 546 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,925 litres with the second-row seats folded. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more cargo space, making it ideal for families with substantial hauling needs.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced several tech upgrades, starting with an 8-inch display on the base trim, expanding to a 10.25-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The Kona N and N Line with the Ultimate Package featured a premium audio system and navigation. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard on the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. Hyundai BlueLink, available on most trims, offered connected services like remote engine start and stolen-vehicle recovery. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, providing a tech-savvy experience for an entry-level model.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received a significant tech upgrade with the new Sync 4 infotainment system and a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with user profiles for personalized settings. The voice recognition system showed improvement, though not flawless. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, enhanced with Amazon Fire TV, offered access to popular streaming services. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered an exceptional listening experience, further elevating the Navigator's tech offerings.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona provided essential safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional technologies included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in all IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, the child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating, preventing the Kona from achieving Top Safety Pick status.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, such as Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed hands-free driving on approved highways. While the system performed well, it required driver attention, highlighting the importance of human oversight. These advancements represented progress toward fully autonomous driving, emphasizing the need for responsible driving.