2021 Lincoln Aviator vs 2021 Kia Seltos

Despite its classification as a subcompact SUV, the 2021 Kia Seltos had a big-car feel. It featured an upright layout with a commanding view of the road. The headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities, even though the Seltos was not designed for such terrain. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added to its on-road driving dynamics, creating a cohesive and appealing look.

Inside, the Seltos had a straightforward design layout with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, reminiscent of more upscale brands like Audi. The clean LCD screen for climate controls added visual symmetry with the touchscreen atop the dash. The handle framing the right side of the tray below the center stack underscored the utilitarian yet sporty nature Kia aimed for. Trim levels ranged from the base LX to the range-topping SX Turbo, each adding progressively more features and tech.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator, carrying over from its 2020 model, nailed the styling with crisp lines and heavy use of chrome, making it a sharp-looking car. Inside, Lincoln differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring plenty of soft-touch materials and chrome accents. The center console rose elegantly to the standard 10.1-inch touchscreen, dominating the dash. The piano button shifter, though unconventional, was laid out sensibly, contributing to the Aviator's air of class and luxury.

Trim levels for the Aviator included Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring. The Standard trim came with synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, and a power liftgate. The Reserve trim added upgraded leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Grand Touring trim featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, and Lincoln’s Multi-Contour Seats with a massaging function. The Black Label trims added even more luxury features, including a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system and a Dynamic Handling Package.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). AWD was standard on LX and EX and optional on the S. The base engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. This engine provided ample power for highway driving and brisk acceleration, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in the Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, increasing output to 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration and a smooth swell of power, though the Aviator's heft was noticeable in corners. The drive mode selector offered modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray. The Seltos also offered plenty of cubbies and compartments, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors and a spacious center console. Rear-seat space was impressive, with ample head- and legroom.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Aviator featured power-lift-and-lower third-row seats and a power liftgate, with a hands-free option available. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim with captain's chairs and a digital control panel, provided a luxurious experience. However, the use of power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo featured a Bose premium sound system and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful home buttons and hard buttons below the touchscreen. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB defaulted to the phone's music, which could be frustrating. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, which was not backlit, causing potential confusion in the dark.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was easy to use with a sensible menu layout. The Aviator came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, presented well on the screen. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear, crisp graphics. The Aviator's infotainment system benefited from redundant controls in the center stack, making it user-friendly.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included a suite of driver-assistance features, such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package, available on the Grand Touring trim, added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.