2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a significant departure from its predecessors, which closely resembled the Ford Expedition. While it shared some structural elements with the Expedition, the Navigator distinguished itself with unique design features, including a distinctive turn signal stalk. The Navigator's exterior was characterized by elegant, rectilinear shapes and subtle chrome accents, making it stand out. The Pristine White model, with its monochromatic package, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo, was particularly striking during winter tests in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The interior of the Navigator was equally impressive, offering seven color palettes and a modern, minimalist design. The Slate Gray interior of the test vehicle featured layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a digital instrument panel. The materials used were of high quality, and the panel gaps were tight, contributing to a sense of luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer King Ranch model had a more understated exterior design, with King Ranch emblems, shiny 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. The Explorer's rear-drive platform allowed for a long hood and a rakish roofline, giving it an athletic appearance. Inside, the King Ranch featured exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding. The cabin had a mix of quality and questionable materials, but overall, it felt worthy of its price point. The Explorer's interior design emphasized comfort, with features like triple-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and massaging front seats. However, the third-row seat was cramped and difficult for adults to access, making it more suitable for children.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, provided impressive acceleration and a satisfying exhaust note. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) options. The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, making the Navigator feel agile despite its size. The towing capacity was substantial, with 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, which aligned with the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the refinement of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering and brakes were less precise, but the Navigator's overall refinement and power made it a comfortable highway cruiser.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,300 pounds and up to 24 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid option, available for the Limited and Platinum trims, combined a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor, generating 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and up to 27 mpg in combined driving. The top-tier engine was a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,600 pounds and up to 21 mpg in combined driving. The King Ranch model, equipped with the twin-turbo V6, offered satisfying acceleration and a pleasing exhaust note. The Explorer's ride was robust, handling bumps and off-road terrain well. The sport-tuned Explorer ST provided an even more engaging driving experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, with a boxy design that could comfortably accommodate six adults. The third-row seat was best suited for children, but the power-folding feature was convenient. The second-row captain's chairs were manually adjustable, and a bench seat was optional, allowing for up to eight passengers. The cargo space was generous, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more cargo space. The rear glass could open separately from the tailgate, a handy feature for loading and unloading. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with numerous settings and massage functions. Visibility was excellent, but parking the large vehicle could be challenging.

The 2022 Ford Explorer King Ranch offered comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five people with the second-row bench seat. The third-row seat was cramped and difficult for adults to access. The King Ranch model featured triple-zone climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain's chairs. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with 14-way power adjustment for the driver and eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger. Practical storage space was limited, with missed opportunities for additional storage compartments. The cargo space was 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The hands-free power liftgate was a convenient feature.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer models. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a unique Lincoln interface, but it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connectivity options. The Navigator's technology was simple and user-friendly, but it lacked some of the advanced features found in competitors.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system, with either an 8-inch or a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The larger screen looked like an afterthought, while the smaller screen was better integrated. The King Ranch model included FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. Additional features included wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system. The voice recognition system was less effective than newer Sync 4 technology, struggling with certain commands and destinations. The King Ranch also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0, which could autonomously park the vehicle.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator lacked knee airbags but offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional but did not offer advanced self-steering capabilities.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for all trim levels. The NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for the 2022 model, but the 2021 model received five-star ratings except for rollover resistance (four stars). The Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. Additional safety features included a post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable vehicle functions. The Co-Pilot360 system operated smoothly but occasionally issued unnecessary warnings.