2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a range of trim levels in Canada, including the LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. Most trims came with standard all-wheel drive, except for the LX, and prices ranged from $23,595 to $33,195, excluding the destination charge. The U.S. model tested, the Nightfall Edition, was similar to the top SX grade, featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The Seltos had a distinctive look, though the headlights were not universally liked. Inside, it boasted a stylish design with exposed stitching and metallic accents, but the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its appeal. The controls were logically arranged, though the purple accent colour for the infotainment system was not a popular choice.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, a full-size luxury SUV, remained largely unchanged since its last redesign in 2018 and refresh in 2022. It was the largest in Lincoln's lineup, available in Canada as the Navigator Reserve with standard four-wheel drive. The test vehicle featured a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim, though keeping it clean proved challenging. The interior was predominantly black with real wood trim and chrome accents, and ambient lighting added character at night. While the cabin was upscale with quality materials, some chrome plastic switchgear failed to convey luxury. The Navigator's cabin was spacious and comfortable, though the extensive adjustments of the front seats were sometimes more of a hindrance than a help.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower. The turbo engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided a more engaging driving experience, though it exhibited some quirks typical of DCTs. The Seltos featured Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. However, the suspension tuning was less than ideal, leading to a bouncy ride on uneven roads. The Seltos excelled in urban environments with its high seating position and excellent visibility, though highway driving revealed significant road noise and wind-induced vibrations.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. It offered five drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite, with an adaptive damping suspension. Despite this, the ride quality was inconsistent, with the Navigator feeling truck-like over smaller bumps and floating over larger dips. Excite mode improved handling on mountain roads but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size was a liability in urban settings, making parking and manoeuvring challenging, though it offered excellent outward visibility and impressive grip from its large wheels and tires.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The driver's seat and steering wheel were adjustable, providing comfort, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Heated front seats were standard on most trims, enhancing comfort. The rear seat was spacious, with ample legroom and footroom, though the seatback angle was slightly reclined. The Seltos provided decent storage space, including a smartphone shelf, and offered 752 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,778 litres with the seat folded down.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator showcased its functionality with roomy seats across all three rows and an available extended body style for increased cargo space. Power-deploying running boards facilitated entry and exit, while the 30-way Perfect Position front seats offered heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious, and the third-row seat accommodated taller adults comfortably. Storage was generous, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator L model provided significantly more cargo space, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

The 2022 Kia Seltos featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. It included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity, though a cable was required for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access, but lacked a native voice recognition system, relying on smartphone assistants for better results.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator boasted a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an available widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 system offered Bluetooth, wireless smartphone connectivity, satellite radio, and a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition. The digital assistant performed well, understanding commands accurately. The Navigator also featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System and Phone As A Key technology, allowing digital key access. The Lincoln Play system provided rear-seat entertainment, though it was underutilized by passengers.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The SX trim offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top marks for crashworthiness and crash-avoidance tech.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured the Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. It also offered Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. However, BlueCruise struggled with certain driving conditions, requiring driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.