2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its rugged origins, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a utilitarian vehicle, it had become a status symbol, offering a range of high-end features such as heated, ventilated, and massaging seats wrapped in premium leather. The Range Rover's design, despite nearing a decade in age, maintained a timeless appeal with its clean lines and hallmark design cues. The interior exuded luxury, with a high-contrast design and a mid-century modern ambiance, although the infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and a restyled front end. While the new grille design was less elegant than before, the rest of the updates were successful. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring the new Constellation display theme. The updated Sync 4 infotainment system with a larger touchscreen and improved voice recognition enhanced the user experience. The Navigator continued to offer spacious and comfortable seating, with the third row remaining particularly accommodating.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring its off-road capabilities. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, although the steering was slow and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity affected handling. The Range Rover achieved an average fuel economy of 18.5 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 20 mpg.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It offered a towing capacity between 8,100 and 8,700 pounds, depending on configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology improved ride quality, and the new electronic brake booster enhanced braking performance. During testing, the Navigator averaged 18.6 mpg, slightly above the EPA's combined rating of 18 mpg. The SUV handled snow and mud with ease, thanks to its four-wheel drive and 9.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access, though shorter passengers found entry challenging. The front seats were comfortable, but the second row lacked support and adjustability. Storage space was limited, with a small refrigerated center console bin and minimal luggage volume. The clamshell-style tailgate offered 25 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator offered 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, providing a luxurious experience. The third row remained spacious and comfortable, thanks to the independent rear suspension. The Navigator boasted generous storage and cargo space, with up to 103.3 cubic feet available with the second-row seats folded, or 120.2 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase version.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays, though the InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive. The dual 10-inch touchscreens were distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering improved functionality and user-friendliness. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with a voice recognition system that performed well. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The Navigator also featured a new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering an exceptional listening experience.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came equipped with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional driver aids were available through optional packages, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The HSE Westminster Edition included several of these features, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, such as Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, performed well on approved highways, though it required constant driver attention. The Navigator's safety features worked effectively, though the driver remained responsible for monitoring the vehicle's surroundings.