2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a design that fit well within Ford's SUV lineup, which ranged from the Escape to the Expedition. The Explorer's exterior was sporty, with raked belt lines and distinctive visages, though it could be mistaken for the Edge at a quick glance. The vehicle offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer featured three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dashboard was clean, with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that freed up storage space.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling updates, including new headlights, taillights, and a redesigned front end. The grille, reminiscent of a 2006 Audi A4, was a rare misstep in an otherwise successful update. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln’s Constellation display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen was a significant upgrade. The Navigator continued to offer Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, with prices starting at $78,405. The Black Label trim, tested in the Central Park theme, featured a luxurious green interior and a total sticker price of $106,530.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, featured a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims came with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the wheelbase and drivetrain. The SUV featured a new adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview, which prepared the suspension for bumps and potholes. The Navigator also had a new electronic brake booster, improving brake pedal feel and response. During testing, the Navigator averaged 18.6 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base trim, with captain’s chairs in the second row for other trims, reducing seating capacity to six. The Explorer provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. With the rear seats folded, the Explorer offered 81 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging. The third-row seat was roomy and supportive. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more cargo space.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and up to 14 speakers. The Explorer also provided multiple USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

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. The Navigator also offered a new Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The test vehicle included a 28-speaker Revel 3D high-end audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The Navigator also featured a surround-view camera system. Intersection Assist could automatically brake during unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 took control of parking, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. The system performed well but required the driver to remain attentive.