Compare the2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In HybridVS 2023 Lincoln Aviator

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat when a sensor determines the back seat is occupied. The Aviator doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Aviator.

Both the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid and the Aviator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Lincoln Aviator:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Aviator’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lincoln covers the Aviator. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Aviator ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

There are over 13 percent more Kia dealers than there are Lincoln dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 42 points higher than the Aviator.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 1 place higher in reliability than Lincoln.

On the EPA test cycle the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Aviator Grand Touring running on electricity (83 city/75 hwy vs. 54 city/58 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Aviator running its gasoline engine:

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 32 miles. The Aviator Grand Touring has to start its internal combustion engine after only 21 miles.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Aviator requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Lincoln Aviator (5 to 7). This means the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Aviator every 15,000 miles.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Aviator’s standard 60 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Aviator’s (37.9 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

The Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 1150 pounds less than the Lincoln Aviator.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is 9.9 inches shorter than the Aviator, making the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has 1.3 inches more rear legroom, .4 inches more third row legroom and 1.6 inches more third row hip room than the Aviator.

Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Aviator.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has a standard locking fuel and charge port door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Aviator doesn’t offer a locking fuel/charge port door.

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Aviator.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Aviator Reserve/Grand Touring/Black Label offers wireless charging.

Insurance will cost less for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid will cost $425 to $6375 less than the Aviator over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid will be $6444 to $34382 less than for the Lincoln Aviator.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Aviator isn't recommended.

The Kia Sorento outsold the Lincoln Aviator by almost four to one during 2022.