2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic and seemingly unchanged styling, anchoring its status as a classic off-roader. Key features, such as the unmistakable seven-slat grille, round headlights, and exposed bolts and hinges, made the Wrangler recognizable even from a distance. The notched grille, inset headlights, and scalloped air extractors behind the front fenders contributed to its rugged look. Depending on the trim level, the Jeep Wrangler transformed slightly, with painted or exposed fenders, soft tops or hardtops, and unique styling touches. Still, the core elements remained consistent, ensuring the Wrangler couldn't be mistaken for anything else on the road.

Upon getting behind the wheel, it became immediately clear that comfort wasn't a primary focus. The Wrangler's upright seating, limited legroom, and somewhat awkward seat adjustments via ripcords might have been seen as charming by the right drivers, but definitely not by those seeking plush comfort. The available trims included the bare-bones Sport, the slightly more convenient Sport S, the street-oriented Sahara, the luxurious High Altitude, and the off-road-ready Rubicon. Special editions, like the Willys, 80th Anniversary, Freedom, Islander, and High Altitude, each added their own spin to the vehicle.

Conversely, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator boasted a more sophisticated and subtle approach to style. Lincoln introduced new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, including a standard 20-inch wheel, while updating their Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination. The SUV's front end saw some changes, aiming for a more Audi-esque appearance with a grille reminiscent of a 2006 Audi A4, although the result fell short of its intended elegance.

Inside, the Navigator continued to impress with quality materials and a sophisticated, mid-century modern design. The new Constellation infotainment theme mimicked a twilight sky and added a touch of class to the displays, head-up display (HUD), and rear-seat entertainment screens. The overall interior experience exuded comfort and luxury, fitting well with the brand's image.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a robust lineup of powertrains, ranging from traditional gas and diesel engines to mild-hybrid variants and even a high-performance Hemi V8. Most drivers opted for the standard 3.6-liter V6, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. Alternative powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and a strong 442 lb-ft of torque.

All powertrains featured 4WD systems like Command-Trac for the Sport and Sahara trims, Select-Trac for the Sahara with an optional "Auto" full-time 4WD mode, and Rock-Trac for the Rubicon, which also boasted front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnectable front sway bar. The plug-in hybrid 4xe delivered 275 hp with an EPA-rated electric range of up to 22 miles. The show-stopper was the Rubicon 392 with a 6.4-liter V8 engine, offering 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. This made the Wrangler feel like an off-road supercar, equipped with a dual-mode performance exhaust and a raised hood with a distinct "392" badging.

For 2022, the Lincoln Navigator continued with its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and 4WD options. This powertrain delivered an impressive 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Towing capacities ranged from 8,100 pounds to 8,700 pounds, depending on the wheelbase and drivetrain.

The Navigator also featured several advancements like Road Preview, a system that automatically prepared the suspension for bumps and potholes ahead. With 22-inch wheels and improved adaptive suspension, the Navigator provided a smooth driving experience, even on less-than-perfect pavement. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. Fuel economy was respectable, with the 4WD Navigator returning an estimated 18 mpg in combined driving, and our tests confirmed this with an average of 18.6 mpg during a drive from Scottsdale to Payson in mixed road conditions.

In terms of form and function, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of top options, including cloth and hardtops. The basic Sunrider soft-top was zipper-less, mitigating the rust and stick problems of older models. Premium options included a black cloth soft top and a classic tan soft top. The three-piece Freedom hardtop with removable panels over the driver and front passenger came in both black and body color, with optional insulation to reduce road noise. The Rubicon 392, however, flaunted the Sky one-touch power top, a convenient retractable canvas roof that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler's cabin was all about function, with modest storage options including a small center console bin and an in-door cargo net. Cargo space stood at 31.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

On the flip side, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator offered an opulent interior with heated, ventilated, and massaging 30-way power-adjustable front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs also had heating, ventilation, and massage options, complemented by an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system. The third row continued to provide comfortable space, a feature Lincoln had mastered since the SUV switched to an independent rear suspension in 2005.

In terms of cargo space, the Navigator led the way. Behind the third row, it provided 19.3 cubic feet (34.3 cubic feet for the long-wheelbase Navigator L). With the third-row seats down, this expanded to 57.5 cubic feet (73.3 cubic feet for Navigator L), reaching a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded (120.2 cubic feet for Navigator L).

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler varied significantly in its tech offerings across trims. The basic Sport featured a 5-inch screen for radio and settings, whereas the Sport S and higher trims offered the more modern 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was the premium choice, providing sharp graphics and an intuitive layout. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen between the traditional tachometer and speedometer, and an off-road front-facing camera nestled in the grille with its own washer-sprayer, ideal for muddy trails.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator upgraded its infotainment system to a new Sync 4 system with a large 13.2-inch touchscreen. This screen, positioned above the center air vents, featured dual data panels to view navigation and music details simultaneously. The interface combined physical controls for volume, stereo, and climate functions, making it user-friendly and easy to operate. Voice recognition showed improvement but wasn't flawless. Lincoln Play's rear-seat entertainment system incorporated Amazon Fire TV, allowing easy access to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ via touchscreens or remote controls.

Lastly, the Navigator’s new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system was another standout feature, providing sensational sound quality.

Safety-wise, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler lagged behind modern standards. Although features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring were available, they were optional, and lane-departure warning wasn't offered at all. Standard safety features included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, the latter being particularly useful for off-roading.

On the other hand, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several advanced driver-assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide, Lincoln’s semi-autonomous, hands-free driving technology. The newly standard surround-view camera system enhanced safety by providing a comprehensive view around the vehicle.