2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had a distinct elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton truck. It shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition, but the Navigator was unique in its own right. The exterior featured simple rectilinear shapes defining the grille, windows, headlights, and taillight assembly, with a few chrome accents for a classy touch. The Pristine White example with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests across Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Navigator also put on a small light show when unlocking or locking the remote, adding to its charm.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes, especially the Slate Gray of the test truck, showcasing a taste for finer details. The wood trim layered behind the 10-inch touchscreen, the push-button gear selector blending into the center stack, and the floating center console with chromed switches all contributed to a muted and modern aesthetic. Materials were of high quality, and panel gaps were tight. The Black Label trims offered even more textures and softer leather, with the Perfect Position seats adjusting in 30 different ways for ultimate comfort. Fully loaded, the Navigator's interior was one of the best in its class, rivaling even the more expensive Range Rover.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. It rode on the same platform as the Mazda3, essentially a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30 featured an incredibly raked windshield that acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, which could be distracting for taller drivers due to its slight curve at eye level.

The cabin of the CX-30 was comfortable and quiet, with solid-feeling buttons and doors. It boasted one of the best interior designs among affordable cars, with an artful blend of conventional and digital displays in the instrument cluster. The infotainment screen rose organically from the smooth dashboard, but its functionality took a backseat to form. The system had a steep learning curve, especially when navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the rotary dial. Trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S to the Turbo Premium Plus, each adding more features and premium touches, culminating in the range-topping Turbo Premium Plus with front-and-rear parking sensors and advanced driver assistance features.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, made the Navigator feel sprightly despite its size. The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, with a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, fitting the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power, with paddle shifters adding a touch of sportiness.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine in the test model delivered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. Power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, especially in Sport mode, which altered throttle response and shift mapping for a livelier drive. The CX-30 had well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, with minimal body roll in corners. However, the sporty suspension resulted in a rough ride over potholes and bumpy roads.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, with the capacity to house six adults comfortably. It was technically a seven-passenger SUV, but the third row's middle seat was best suited for children. The boxy shape provided generous cargo space: 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for loading and unloading. The Navigator Reserve had heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system, but lacked some features offered by German competitors, such as five-zone climate control and heated third-row seats. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with large windows and a high driving position for excellent visibility.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 20.2 cubic feet with the seats in use, which was average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Turbo Premium Plus model featured a power rear liftgate for added convenience. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck under the rear seats when folded. The center console offered ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats provided decent headroom for adults on short-to-medium trips, but longer drives might be uncomfortable due to limited rear-seat headroom compared to the larger CX-5.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer systems. 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. However, the software was intuitive and easy to use, with fast and accurate voice recognition. 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 connection options. Drive mode animations on the instrument panel added a touch of elegance.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. The lack of touch functionality made navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto frustrating. The system was inspired by older luxury-car infotainment systems like BMW's iDrive, which had poor usability. Getting out of Apple CarPlay was cumbersome, and navigating presets was challenging even after learning the system. Despite its elegant design, the infotainment system's functionality left much to be desired.

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 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 didn't self-steer as competently as competitors.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The adaptive front headlights and 360-degree parking camera were particularly helpful. The CX-30 earned five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.