2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

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 bespoke turn signal stalk. Its exterior design emphasized elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton vehicle. The grille, windows, headlights, and taillights were defined by simple rectilinear shapes, with tasteful chrome accents adding a touch of class. The Pristine White model, with its white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo, was particularly striking during winter tests in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Navigator also featured a small light show when locking or unlocking the vehicle, adding to its charm.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes, including the sophisticated Slate Gray of the test vehicle. The interior design showcased a taste for finer details, such as the layered wood trim behind the 10-inch touchscreen and the floating center console with chromed switches. The materials were of high quality, and panel gaps were tight. The Black Label trims elevated the luxury with more textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 different ways, provided exceptional comfort. Overall, the Navigator's interior was one of the most refined in its class, rivaling even the more expensive Range Rover.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length, offered a third row of seats and more second-row legroom. The design seamlessly integrated the extra mass, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. The Grand Cherokee L retained Jeep's signature design elements, such as the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing the lighting and improving paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing the vehicle's elegance. New exterior paint colors, including Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky, were introduced for 2022.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L impressed with its luxurious materials and thoughtful design. The dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and faux-suede roof created a premium feel. The interior layout was reminiscent of a Mercedes, offering style and tactile quality without sharing parts. The spacious cabin accommodated passengers comfortably, even in the third row. The optional air suspension provided a smooth ride, and the five ride height settings added versatility. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was both luxurious and functional, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor. This 3.5-liter engine produced an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, providing the Navigator with a sprightly performance. The engine's intake snarl and turbo whoosh added to the driving experience, despite the highly insulated cabin. 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.

Fuel economy was a weak point, with an average in the teens, aligning with the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating (16 city, 20 highway). The adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator's steering and brakes lacked the precision and control found in the Escalade. However, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser. The paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness with their quick reaction time and rev-matched downshifts.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, felt underpowered for the vehicle's weight. The engine noise was noticeable, and the transmission's early upshifts didn't help. The V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, provided a more satisfying performance and a pleasing sound. The 4xe plug-in hybrid, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, offered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, promising better performance and efficiency.

Fuel economy for the V6 was decent, with an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The V8's fuel economy was lower at 14/22/17. The 4xe plug-in hybrid's estimates were not yet available. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was a standout feature, providing a composed ride and precise steering. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The driving modes, similar to Land Rover's, adjusted various systems for different terrains. The Grand Cherokee L's towing capacity was 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds for 4WD models.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, resembling a small bedroom. It could comfortably accommodate six adults, with a seven-passenger configuration available. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children. The second row featured manually-reclining and tilting captain's chairs, with an optional bench seat for a total of eight passengers. The boxy shape provided generous cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage, with 34, 73, and 120 cubic feet, respectively. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, adding convenience.

The Navigator Reserve trim included heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate control system. The second row had an optional console with integrated climate and stereo controls. However, German competitors offered more advanced features, such as five-zone climate control and heated third-row seats. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage programs. The large windows and high driving position provided excellent visibility, though parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size. The 360-degree cameras were helpful but not perfect.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. The interface was sleek and sharp, with physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions. The central rotary shifter was easy to use, and there was a large bin for wireless phone charging and a spacious central cubby. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen.

The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. The panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced the cabin's comfort. However, the air vents were small and didn't provide sufficient airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was noisy.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's technology felt somewhat dated compared to newer competitors. The 10-inch touchscreen, while functional, seemed small next to the advanced displays in vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade. The instrument panel couldn't display full-screen maps or different designs, and the cameras were low-resolution. The infotainment system didn't support wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional.

Despite these drawbacks, the Navigator's software was intuitive and easy to use. Voice recognition was fast and accurate, and there were onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connection options. The drive mode animations on the instrument panel were a nice touch, and the overall simplicity of the system was refreshing compared to more complex setups.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a wealth of technology, especially in the upper trims. Features included multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a crystal-clear 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of the next corner. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were supported, and two phones could be connected simultaneously.

New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. The Summit trims offered additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, though lower trims had less impressive audio systems.

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, a rare safety feature. 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert for possible unattended passengers, and trailer sway control. The Grand Cherokee L also offered various driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Additional safety features were available on higher trims, enhancing the vehicle's overall safety profile.