2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

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 Reserve, priced at $92,000, exuded luxury and elegance, convincing even those accustomed to high-end brands like Mercedes and Range Rover of its worth. Its design theme focused on elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton vehicle. The exterior featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and subtle chrome accents, creating a classy appearance. The Pristine White model with black wheels and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Navigator also featured a light show when locking or unlocking the vehicle, adding to its charm.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven color palettes, especially the Slate Gray of the test model. The interior design showcased a taste for finer details, with wood trim layered behind a 10-inch touchscreen, a floating center console with chromed switches, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were of high quality, and panel gaps were tight. The Black Label trims elevated the luxury further with more textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 different ways, provided exceptional comfort. Fully loaded, the Navigator's interior rivaled even the most luxurious trucks, offering a level of refinement that few could match.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a top recommendation for families due to its practicality and comfort. The sliding side doors were a significant advantage, making it easy to load toddlers into rear-facing child safety seats, even in tight parking spaces. The minivan's third-row seat was genuinely comfortable, accommodating grandparents or carpool passengers with ease. The deep well behind the third-row seat provided ample storage space, preventing gear from tumbling out when the rear liftgate was opened. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, rivaling that of a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seat was folded down and the second-row seats were removed.

Despite the practicality, minivans like the Odyssey faced image challenges, with many Americans preferring crossover SUVs. However, the 2022 Odyssey had a sense of style, with kinked sliding doors and dramatic character lines. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, adding to its appeal. The Odyssey's interior was designed with quality materials and a classic open-concept layout. The center stack, though cluttered with switchgear, was easy to use, with commonly used functions located near the infotainment display. The Odyssey's expansive windshield and low console provided excellent visibility, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, producing an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, made the Navigator feel surprisingly sprightly for its size. The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, offering a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, fuel economy was a downside, averaging in the teens, consistent with the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering and brakes lacked the precision and control found in the Escalade, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain. The Odyssey's EPA fuel economy estimate was 22 mpg in combined driving. During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. The Odyssey's driving character was enjoyable, with quick acceleration and responsive handling. However, the brakes tended to heat up and produce pedal vibration during repeated use, especially when descending hills. Despite this, the Odyssey remained a delightful vehicle to drive, offering a balance of performance and practicality.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, with the capacity to comfortably seat six adults. The third-row middle seat was best suited for children. The Navigator's boxy shape provided generous cargo space, 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 offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for accessing the cargo area. The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate control system. However, the second-row seats did not electrically recline, and there were no side window shades. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with numerous customization options. Visibility was excellent, but parking the large vehicle could be challenging.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The interior featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey Elite included an onboard vacuum cleaner for easy clean-up. Storage space was abundant, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The second-row seats were comfortable, with ample legroom and a fold-down center section with cupholders. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible configurations, enhancing safety and convenience. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, with good leg support and foot room. The Odyssey offered 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer competitors. 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 included 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 lagged behind more advanced systems found in competitors.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services, including WiFi hotspot access. The Odyssey's CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies allowed the driver to monitor and communicate with rear-seat passengers. The rear-seat entertainment system featured a 10.2-inch display with media playback options and a "How Much Farther?" app. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system felt outdated, with a small screen and limited voice command functionality. A major upgrade was needed to keep up with competitors.

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. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not rated the Navigator. 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 the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Odyssey also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. While Honda Sensing provided comprehensive safety features, it lacked refinement and could respond too sharply to changing driving situations. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.