2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with Chevy using styling details to give each trim level its own identity. The exterior was a typical SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, which appealed to many buyers. However, it lacked the personality of competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The interior mirrored the exterior's restrained styling, with the standout feature being an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof. Materials in the higher-level RS model were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 MSRP.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator made subtle yet impactful styling changes. New headlights, taillights, and wheel designs were introduced, along with an updated Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination sequence. The front end received a restyle, though it was less elegant than before. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a 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 was a significant upgrade, making the Navigator's interior both functional and visually appealing.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The Traverse impressed with its highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride. However, it lacked agility on twistier roads, partly due to its AWD system, which required manual activation. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, which was average for the segment.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering a robust 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain allowed for a towing capacity between 8,100 and 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology provided a smooth ride, even on imperfect pavement. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. The Navigator handled well in various conditions, including snow and mud, thanks to its 4WD system and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. Fuel economy for the 4WD model was 18 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS model, while higher trims offered ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, providing 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, interior storage options were limited, making it less practical than a minivan for carrying lots of people or cargo.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats, which were heated, ventilated, and massaging. The second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. Storage and cargo space were generous, with the Navigator L offering even more room. The standard Navigator had 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed. The Navigator L increased these figures to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen was user-friendly, with large smartphone-like icons and analog controls for audio and climate functions. The Traverse also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. Each row had 2 USB ports, but wireless phone charging was only standard on the Premier and High Country models.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and featured a user-friendly interface with physical controls for volume and climate functions. The voice recognition system was improved but not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The test vehicle also featured a new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering an exceptional audio experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention tech. However, it received "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side-impact crash tests. Standard driver-assist tech was limited, with many features only available as options.

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 became standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake during unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection helped steer the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 allowed for automated parking, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. While ActiveGlide performed well, it required the driver to remain attentive.