2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

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 exuded elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton vehicle. Its rectilinear shapes, body-color grille, and subtle chrome accents contributed to its classy appearance. The Pristine White model, with its black wheels and illuminated Lincoln logo, was particularly striking during winter tests in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The interior of the Navigator was equally impressive, with seven color palettes and meticulous attention to detail. The Slate Gray interior of the test vehicle showcased layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials used were of high quality, and the panel gaps were tight. The Black Label trims offered even more luxurious textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats, with their 30-way adjustability, provided exceptional comfort, making the Navigator one of the most refined large SUVs available.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a new era for Hyundai's electrified mobility. Unlike the original Ioniq, which offered hybrid and electric variants, the Ioniq 5 was part of Hyundai's standalone EV brand. The Ioniq 5's exterior design was a blend of minimalism and intricate details, featuring the Parametric Pixel design with numerous LED lights. The vehicle's aerodynamic wheels and unique lighting elements gave it a futuristic appearance. Inside, the Ioniq 5's cabin was a stark contrast to its exterior, offering a serene and comfortable environment. The interior, available in black, gray, and dark green hues, was designed with a "Living Space" theme, providing a relaxing atmosphere. The driver's seat featured a "Relaxation" mode, allowing for a zero-gravity resting position. The Ioniq 5 also utilized sustainable materials, including recycled fibers and bio-materials, making it an eco-friendly choice. The interior design was practical, with a moveable center console and comfortable leatherette seats, providing a pleasant driving experience.

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 performance for a vehicle of its size. 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 large size. The towing capacity was substantial, with 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, fuel economy was a drawback, with an average in the teens and an EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but the suspension felt less refined compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering and brakes were also less precise, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a comfortable highway cruiser. Paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrains and configurations. Available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, the Ioniq 5 featured rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. The base SE Standard Range model had a single 128-kW rear motor, producing 168 horsepower and offering 220 miles of range. The extended-range models featured a larger 168-kW rear motor, delivering 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 303 miles. The AWD variants had a dual-motor system, producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5's performance was adequate for a midsize crossover, with a focus on comfort rather than sporty driving dynamics. The vehicle featured four drive modes, including Sport, which added excitement but reduced range. Paddle shifters allowed for adjusting regenerative braking levels, enhancing the driving experience. The Ioniq 5's quiet cabin and advanced noise-reduction features made it a pleasant vehicle for long drives.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, resembling a small bedroom in terms of square footage. It could comfortably accommodate six adults, with a seven-passenger configuration available. The third-row middle seat was best suited for children. The second-row captain's chairs were manually reclining and tilting, with an optional bench for a total of eight passengers. 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 capacity. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, adding convenience. The Navigator Reserve model featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate control system. However, it lacked some advanced features found in competitors, such as side window shades and electrically reclining second-row seats. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with numerous customization options. Visibility was excellent, but parking could be challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offering a spacious and versatile interior. Despite its hatchback appearance, the Ioniq 5 had a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade, providing ample interior space. The Ioniq 5's total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet exceeded that of competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The vehicle prioritized passenger comfort, with a measured passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet. The interior design focused on practicality and comfort, with soft touchpoints and a moveable center console. The shifter was mounted on the steering wheel, allowing for a more open center console area. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, providing a pleasant driving experience. The Ioniq 5's interior design emphasized usability, with features like a modern take on the retro front bench seat, allowing for easy entry and exit from either front door.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to the advanced displays in competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator's instrument panel lacked the ability to show full-screen maps or different designs, and the cameras were low-resolution. The infotainment system did not support wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, the software was intuitive and easy to use, with fast and accurate voice recognition. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connectivity options. The vehicle's remote app functions were included for five years, with SiriusXM traffic data for six years. While the technology felt somewhat dated, it was functional and user-friendly.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted impressive technology, including a next-generation high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. The Ioniq 5 could charge other EVs or even a home, thanks to its 800-volt charging infrastructure. It could reach 80 percent battery capacity in just 18 minutes using a 350-kW charger. Hyundai partnered with Electrify America to offer unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years. The Ioniq 5 also featured a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The vehicle's 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for improved visibility. The Ioniq 5's technology was advanced and user-friendly, making it a standout in the EV market.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The vehicle did not offer knee airbags, but optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row were available. 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 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also included Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. This system learned the driver's tendencies and adapted accordingly. The Ioniq 5 also offered a head-up display with augmented reality overlays, providing animated turn-by-turn navigation. While neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had released crash-safety ratings for the Ioniq 5, Hyundai's strong safety record suggested high marks were likely.