2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that included a revised exterior. New standard LED headlights flanked the Pacifica’s new hexagonal grille, giving the front end a more muscular aesthetic compared to the previous three years. The rear featured a new all-LED taillamp running the width of the model, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. The S Appearance Package, which debuted in 2017, was also available, adding darkened features and black accents to the exterior. Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from competitors like the 2021 Toyota Sienna and 2022 Kia Sedona by walking a line between ruggedness and sophistication. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim, in particular, aimed at premium and luxury customers, featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim with wood accents, and real metal surrounds. Quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats added to the upscale look. The doors had a well-weighted feel, and sound deadening technology kept road and engine noise at bay. 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 the Navigator’s elegance. However, the rest of the updates were successful, including the new Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination sequence. Inside, the Navigator continued to impress with quality materials and mid-century modern design, now featuring Lincoln’s Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display was a significant upgrade, offering ample display acreage. The Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase styles with Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims. The Black Label trim, tested in the new Central Park theme, featured a green interior with second-row heated, ventilated, and massaging captain’s chairs.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine paired with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered either all-wheel drive (AWD) or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system, new for 2021, activated on-demand based on various driving conditions and deactivated to improve fuel efficiency when not needed. The Pacifica Hybrid had an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models slightly lower at 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Navigator’s towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on wheelbase and drivetrain selections. The adaptive-damping suspension was updated with Road Preview, which identified and prepared for road imperfections. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. The Navigator 4WD was expected to return 18 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 18.6 mpg.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats were spacious, with a padded center console lid replacing armrests. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power first- and second-row windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, Stow ’n Go bucket seats with in-floor storage bins, and a Stow ’n Go third-row bench seat. The second-row under-console storage was a handy feature, and the seats provided ample legroom for children and adults. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters. The 2022 Lincoln Navigator’s front seats were heated, ventilated, and massaging 30-way power-adjustable seats, providing exceptional comfort. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, with an updated Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system. The third-row seat offered roomy accommodations, and the Navigator’s independent rear suspension design contributed to its comfort. The Navigator L long-wheelbase configuration provided even more storage space. The Navigator carried 19.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third-row seat (34.3 cubic feet for Navigator L), 57.5 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded (73.3 in Navigator L), and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats collapsed (120.2 cubic feet in Navigator L).

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was graphically appealing, responsive, and customizable. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but lacked a head-up display. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with four new games added to the existing roster. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature. The standard six-speaker sound system could be upgraded to a 13-speaker Alpine system or 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon options. The 2022 Lincoln Navigator’s new Sync 4 infotainment system featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering two data panels for navigation and music details. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and included physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions. Sync 4’s 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, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. The test vehicle also had a new 28-speaker Revel 3D high-end audio system.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, third-row lock out, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 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, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking in parallel and perpendicular spaces. ActiveGlide, Lincoln’s semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed hands-free driving on approved highways but required driver attention. The system performed well but required human intervention in certain situations.