2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character within the lineup. It had an expressive face with LED headlights beside the big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body featured crisp character lines, and the rear had bold, large taillights. The plug-in Q5 wore some S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels, giving it a classy, modern appearance with exceptional fit and finish.

Inside, the Q5 was similarly classy and modern, packed with technology while maintaining an uncluttered appearance. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped and segregated by function, with a unity of design that was very pleasing. Material selection was at a high level, with real wood, real metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen floated at the top of the center stack, and the second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces throughout.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch design now standard. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille with the Lincoln star and chrome detailing, which some felt reduced its elegance and presence. Despite this, the Navigator’s updates for 2022 were largely successful.

Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln’s Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, digital instrumentation, and widescreen HUD provided ample display acreage. The Navigator continued in standard and long-wheelbase styles with Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trim levels, with the Black Label offering luxurious features like heated, ventilated, and massaging captain’s chairs.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took a good thing and made it better. The Q5 was already fun to drive in its standard gasoline-only form, but the PHEV added an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery, making the total combined output 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup delivered convincing acceleration (0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds) and impressive fuel economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. The Q5 PHEV’s battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service.

The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and could be switched into modes to drive on battery power only, reserve battery power, or automatically drive in hybrid mode. Handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel. Body roll was minimal and controlled, and braking was powerful and predictable.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6 supplied a robust 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity ranging between 8,100 pounds and 8,700 pounds. The Navigator’s adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview identified bumps and cracks ahead, preparing the suspension for appropriate damping forces.

The Navigator’s new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. During a drive from Scottsdale to Payson, the Navigator’s twin-turbo effortlessly climbed past the snow line, unfazed by the SUV’s nearly three tons of curb weight. The Navigator’s adaptive suspension quelled unwanted ride motions, and the 22-inch wheels and tires supplied plenty of grip. The Navigator 4WD was expected to return 18 mpg in combined driving, and during the test drive, it averaged 18.6 mpg.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. There were 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expanding to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The second row offered reasonable legroom (37.8 inches), headroom (37.7 inches), and shoulder room (56.5 inches). The front seats were super-comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim.

The Q5’s interior featured several cubbies and nooks for storage, with a center-console armrest that lifted to reveal a small storage bin. The uncluttered design ensured everything inside functioned well and was laid out smartly.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator’s heated, ventilated, and massaging 30-way power-adjustable front seats were exceptionally comfortable. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, with the updated Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system providing access to streaming services. Third-row passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations on a supportive seat.

The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third-row seat (34.3 cubic feet for Navigator L). Folding down the third row provided 57.5 cubic feet of cargo volume (73.3 in Navigator L), and the maximum volume with the second-row seats collapsed was 103.3 cubic feet (120.2 cubic feet in Navigator L).

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a new center-console touchpad that was easy to use. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three views: classic, sport, and dynamic. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode with route guidance.

The Q5 also featured an Integrated Toll Module (ITM) compatible with most toll road services in the United States. A Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers and a 16-channel/755-watt amplifier was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim level. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator’s new Sync 4 infotainment system arrived with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering two data panels to view navigation and music details simultaneously. The system supported both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with a voice recognition system that was better than the previous model. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system now included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services.

The test vehicle also featured a new 28-speaker Revel 3D high-end audio system, which delivered sensational sound quality. The Navigator’s physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions were easy to read and use, with a matte finish and clear markings.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV hadn’t been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 received top “good” ratings in every category except headlights, which received a “marginal” rating. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Audi Q5 gasoline model five stars but hadn’t rated the PHEV. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic preventative occupant protection, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a top-view camera system.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system was also newly standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake during unsafe movements, and Road Edge Detection could sense where the pavement ended, steering the SUV away from the edge. Active Park Assist 2.0 allowed the Navigator to take complete control for parking, and ActiveGlide was Lincoln’s new semi-autonomous, hands-free driving technology.

ActiveGlide was approved for use on 130,000 miles of North American roads, performing well on straight, dry, sunny stretches of freeway. However, the driver needed to remain attentive, as the system might not identify all threats.