2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 was a smooth and stylish vehicle that stood out in a market filled with deeply-creased hoods and chiseled grilles. Its design was sleek and slippery, even when stationary, offering a refreshing departure from the typical Mazda sameness. The base CX-5 Sport featured automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Higher trims like the Touring and Grand Touring added features such as leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and auto-leveling LED headlights, enhancing both style and functionality.

The top-tier CX-5 Signature model took the design to a premium level, rivaling offerings from Buick, Infiniti, and Acura. It included Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink. The interior materials felt high-quality, and the fit and finish were well-executed, making the CX-5 a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and comfortable compact crossover.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling updates, including new headlights, taillights, and a restyled front end. The new 20-inch wheel design became standard, and the Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination sequence was updated. However, the new Audi-esque grille design was less elegant than its predecessor. Despite this, the Navigator continued to impress with its quality materials and mid-century modern design inside. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a touch of sophistication, resembling a starry sky at dusk.

The Navigator's interior updates included a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering ample display acreage for navigation and entertainment. The SUV continued to be available in standard and long-wheelbase styles with Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trim levels. The Black Label trim, tested in the new Central Park theme, featured a luxurious green interior with second-row heated, ventilated, and massaging captain’s chairs. The total sticker price for this model was $106,530, including the destination charge.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base engine was a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in higher trims, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, providing a more spirited performance. AWD was standard on models with the turbo engine.

Fuel efficiency for the CX-5 varied by drivetrain and engine choice. The most fuel-efficient version, a FWD model with the non-turbo engine, achieved 25 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. AWD models with the turbo engine were slightly less efficient, with 22 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. The CX-5's sporty driving style and stiff suspension made for an engaging driving experience, though it could be less comfortable on rough roads.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The SUV's adaptive-damping suspension, updated with Road Preview technology, provided a smooth ride by identifying and preparing for road imperfections.

The Navigator's new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. During testing, the SUV handled various driving conditions, including snow and mud, with ease, thanks to its 4WD system and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. Fuel economy for the Navigator 4WD was estimated at 18 mpg combined, and the test vehicle averaged 18.6 mpg during a drive from Scottsdale to Payson.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5's design allowed it to fulfill most family needs comfortably and stylishly. The seating position and comfort level were typical for an SUV of its size, with good headroom in both rows but limited legroom for rear passengers. The CX-5 had two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats and a tether connector on the middle rear seat. Climate controls were straightforward and easy to use, though the larger shifter and infotainment system controls could be less intuitive for shorter drivers.

Cargo space in the CX-5 was below average for the segment, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A power liftgate was available.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with 30-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and massaging functions. The second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massaging features, making long trips comfortable. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations, thanks to the independent rear suspension design.

Storage and cargo space in the Navigator were generous. The standard model offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 120.2 cubic feet with the second row collapsed.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen size was impressive, the operating system was less so. The interface was uncluttered but not modern, and the screen's positioning made it difficult to reach. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing users to bypass some of the system's shortcomings.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and stereo tuning and physical climate controls. Sync 4 supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and allowed users to save personalized settings to a user profile. The voice recognition system was improved but not perfect.

The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. The test vehicle also had a new 28-speaker Revel 3D high-end audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. Optional features included a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition.

The CX-5 earned high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Mazda backed the CX-5 with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system became standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake during unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection helped steer the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 allowed the Navigator to park itself, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways.

ActiveGlide performed well during testing but required the driver to remain attentive. The system represented a step toward fully autonomous driving but was not yet infallible.