2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to evoke the spirit of the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible through its exterior design. Despite having four doors and a rear hatch, it retained Mustang-like features such as thin headlights, a long hood, and a large, nonfunctional oval grille. The taillights mimicked the original Mustang's design and included sequential turn signals. The vibrant exterior color palette, including the test car’s Grabber Blue, further reinforced the Mustang connection.

Inside, the Mach-E featured a massive infotainment touchscreen, awkwardly suspended in the middle of the dashboard. A thin rectangular display served as the instrument cluster, displaying speed as "ground speed," similar to other Mustang models. The rotary gear selector on the center console contributed to a minimalist feel, reminiscent of Tesla electric cars. Interior materials were of decent quality, matching the subdued minimalist design, but the lack of a leather-upholstery option might have disappointed some buyers. Even the top trims used a synthetic material called ActiveX.

First Edition models boasted unique trim elements like red brake calipers, brushed aluminum pedals, and kickplates labeled “First Edition.” These were the primary differences, with the main benefit being that these models were the first produced.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes. New headlights and taillights debuted, along with different wheel designs, including a standard 20-inch option. The Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination sequence was updated, and the front end was restyled, though the new Audi-esque grille was less elegant than before.

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 came with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The Navigator continued in standard and long-wheelbase styles with Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trim levels. The test vehicle, a Black Label in Central Park theme, had a matching green interior with second-row heated, ventilated, and massaging captain’s chairs. The total sticker price was $106,530, including the destination charge.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E needed to live up to the Mustang name, so Ford made it RWD by default and decently powerful. The base RWD Select model produced 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The most potent configuration was the AWD GT Performance Edition, with 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, reaching zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

The test car had a lower-level AWD powertrain, delivering 346 hp, 428 lb-ft of torque, and zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. This was quicker than the Audi E-Tron and only 0.3 seconds behind the Jaguar I-Pace. The Mach-E handled corners well, with responsive steering and a planted feeling due to the low-mounted battery pack. However, the taut suspension resulted in poor ride quality, exacerbated by the 19-inch wheels.

Ford provided three drive modes: Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled. Engage was the default mode, Whisper focused on efficiency, and Unbridled was the sport mode. The differences between the modes were minimal, and fake “propulsion sounds” could be activated in Unbridled mode. The Mach-E also offered one-pedal driving and conventional braking options.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, and RWD or 4WD. The engine produced 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity between 8,100 and 8,700 pounds. The adaptive-damping suspension was updated with Road Preview, which identified road imperfections and adjusted the suspension accordingly.

Despite the heavy 22-inch wheels, the Navigator handled imperfect pavement well. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. The Navigator effortlessly climbed past the snow line in Payson, Arizona, and handled snow and mud conditions with ease due to its 4WD, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and appropriate driving mode. The Navigator 4WD was expected to return 18 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 18.6 mpg during the test drive.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was marketed as an SUV but had packaging more akin to a station wagon or hatchback. The driving position was low, and the low roofline didn’t create a spacious feeling, even with a panoramic glass roof. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E fell short on interior space. The Model Y offered more headroom and legroom and was available in a three-row, seven-seat configuration.

The Model Y also provided more cargo space with the second row folded, at 68.0 cubic feet compared to the Mach-E’s 59.7 cubic feet. The Mach-E had 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row in place and a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk. The narrow space between the front seats included a decent-sized storage bin under a flip-up armrest and a large, flat area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, with a wireless charging pad and USB ports for both rows.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator’s 30-way power-adjustable front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massage, along with the updated Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system. Third-row passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations on a supportive seat.

Storage and cargo space were generous. The Navigator carried 19.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third-row seat (34.3 cubic feet for Navigator L). With the third row folded, there was 57.5 cubic feet of cargo volume (73.3 in Navigator L). The maximum volume with the second-row seats collapsed was 103.3 cubic feet (120.2 cubic feet in Navigator L).

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured the new Sync 4 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA software updates. The main infotainment touchscreen measured 15.5 inches, while the instrument cluster was 10.2 inches. Standard features included SiriusXM 360L with satellite radio and a six-speaker audio system. Premium, GT, and First Edition models had a nine-speaker B&O by Bang & Olufsen sound system.

The 15.5-inch touchscreen displayed almost everything at once, making for a text-heavy and unattractive design. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls with touchscreen icons and sliders for climate controls, which were less convenient than physical buttons.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator upgraded to a Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The new screen, mounted in landscape orientation, was easy to reach and reference, offering two data panels for navigation and music details. Below the air vents and transmission buttons, Lincoln provided physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions.

Sync 4 supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and users could save about 80 individual vehicle settings to a user profile. 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, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. The test vehicle also had a new 28-speaker Revel 3D high-end audio system, which was sensational.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, a reverse sensing system, reverse automatic braking, adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, traffic-sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. Higher trim levels included a 360-degree camera system.

The Mach-E was slated to get Active Drive Assist, enabling automated acceleration, braking, and steering on designated highways. The system would be activated via OTA update for $600 and was standard on higher trims or part of a package on the Select trim.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced 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 steer the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 allowed the Navigator to park itself, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways.

ActiveGlide performed well on straight, dry, sunny stretches of freeway but required the driver to remain attentive. The system represented a step toward fully autonomous driving but still required human oversight.