2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Dodge Durango retained much of its exterior styling from its third generation, which debuted in 2011. Built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Detroit, the Durango maintained a distinct look, aligning more with Dodge's muscle cars like the Charger and Challenger. The 2021 model year saw updates, particularly in the SRT Hellcat variant, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, rear spoiler, and a revised front end. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and came in 11 exterior colors with six interior schemes. Inside, the 2021 model introduced a new instrument panel and either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leathers, with contrast stitching and unique seat belt colors adding a funky touch.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling updates, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch wheel now standard. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille that some felt lacked the previous model's elegance. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, highlighted by the new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The 2022 model introduced a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen with the new Sync 4 system, offering a more modern and competitive interface. The Navigator continued to offer standard and long-wheelbase styles with various trim levels, starting at $78,405. The Black Label trim, tested in the new Central Park theme, featured luxurious amenities like heated, ventilated, and massaging second-row captain’s chairs.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered four engine options: a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. All engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The V6 produced 293-295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the 5.7-liter V8 delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft. The 392 HEMI V8 in the SRT 392 model offered 475 hp and 470 lb-ft, and the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat boasted 710 hp and 645 lb-ft. The Durango's steering was responsive, but its chassis showed its age, with a suspension that allowed bumps to be felt in the cabin. The SRT models featured SRT Performance Pages for detailed performance data, and the R/T model offered a Tow N Go Package with a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued with its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator offered rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with a towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The adaptive-damping suspension was updated with Road Preview, which prepared the suspension for upcoming road imperfections. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. During testing, the Navigator handled various driving conditions, including snow and mud, with ease, thanks to its four-wheel drive and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg combined, and it averaged 18.6 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating, ample storage space, and family entertainment options. It provided seating for five to seven passengers across two or three rows, with spacious front and second-row seats and a more accommodating third row than many competitors. The Durango offered 21 seat options and had average cargo space for its class. The fit and finish of the Durango had improved significantly, making it a strong contender in the midsize SUV segment.

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, along with the updated Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system. The third-row seats remained roomy and supportive, benefiting from the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator provided generous storage and cargo space, with the long-wheelbase Navigator L offering even more capacity. The standard Navigator had 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 103.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, with the larger screen running the new Uconnect 5 system. Uconnect 5 was five times faster than its predecessor and offered greater personalization, connected services, dual Bluetooth connections, Amazon Alexa, TomTom navigation, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and responsive touch controls. The Durango also offered a family entertainment system with a Blu-ray and DVD player and two 9-inch screens. The gauge cluster, however, made it difficult to read the exact speed due to its design.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced the 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 customizable settings. Sync 4's voice recognition system was improved but not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system now included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The test vehicle also featured a new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering an exceptional audio experience.

The 2021 Dodge Durango lagged behind its rivals in safety features. It came standard with a rearview camera and passive safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, rear-cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning. The NHTSA gave the Durango a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but IIHS ratings were not available.

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 to prevent unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection helped steer the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking maneuvers, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. During testing, ActiveGlide performed well but required the driver to remain attentive.