2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, drew inspiration from the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. The design, refreshed in 2019, carried over into 2021 with some previously optional features becoming standard. Inside, the Renegade offered a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, making controls easily accessible. It came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each offering unique features and equipment.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and a restyled front end. The SUV's interior continued to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln’s Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The Navigator offered a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, enhancing its technological appeal. Available in standard and long-wheelbase styles, the Navigator came in Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, with the Black Label offering luxurious features like heated, ventilated, and massaging captain’s chairs.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade featured a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, alongside an upgraded turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering front-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive. While neither engine was particularly spirited, the turbocharged option provided better torque and refinement. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with impressive maneuverability and visibility, making it a great city car. The Trailhawk trim, with its off-road capabilities, stood out with features like skid plates, tow hooks, and an upgraded 4WD system.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with a towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, updated with Road Preview, enhanced ride quality by preparing for road imperfections. The SUV's electronic brake booster improved brake response, and its performance remained robust even in challenging conditions like snow and mud. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing achieving 18.6 mpg.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use, offering above-average space for a subcompact SUV. Its tall, boxy design allowed for ample headroom in both rows, with front seats offering great legroom. The Renegade featured numerous storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for additional space.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats, offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs also featured these amenities, enhancing passenger comfort. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations, benefiting from the Navigator's independent rear suspension design. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with the long-wheelbase version providing even more room. Cargo capacity ranged from 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row to a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, featuring a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Kenwood premium audio system was available as an option.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering improved functionality and ease of use. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with a user-friendly interface similar to modern smartphones. The Navigator also featured a new Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade made several safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. However, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and parking sensors remained optional. The Renegade received a four-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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 became standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln’s semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways. While the system performed well, it required driver attention at all times. These advancements represented steps toward fully autonomous driving, though driver vigilance remained essential.