2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design more closely with other models in the Nissan lineup, such as the Armada and Rogue. The front of the Kicks featured a bold, snubbed nose with a distinctive double V-motion grille, combining chrome and piano black elements. The headlights were elongated and thinner, extending down the face of the vehicle, with the SR trim boasting LED multi-reflector headlights and fog lights. The rear of the Kicks received a new bumper and LED taillights, enhancing its proportions and giving it a Nissan Leaf-like appearance. The model offered a variety of paint options, including new colors like Electric Blue Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, and retained the two-tone paint job option with a floating roof design. The Kicks SR trim added sporty elements such as LED accents, black heated mirrors, and a dark chrome grille, while the interior featured higher quality materials and new seat designs, drawing inspiration from the Nissan Sentra.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling updates, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with a restyled front end. The changes aimed to enhance the SUV's elegance, although the new grille design drew mixed reactions. Inside, the Navigator continued to impress with its high-quality materials and mid-century modern design, featuring the new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The SUV introduced a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen with the Sync 4 infotainment system, offering improved functionality and user experience. The Navigator maintained its standard and long-wheelbase styles, with the Black Label trim providing luxurious features like heated, ventilated, and massaging captain's chairs. The test vehicle, painted in Manhattan Green, showcased the Central Park theme, with a total sticker price of $106,530.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was equipped with a single powertrain option, a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, provided adequate power for its size, though it was not particularly zippy. The Kicks featured electric power-assisted steering and a front independent strut stabilizer bar suspension, contributing to its nimble handling. Despite being front-wheel drive, the Kicks performed well on icy roads, with minimal engine noise entering the cabin. The SUV came with standard 16-inch steel wheels on the base model, while higher trims offered 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The Kicks boasted a fuel economy rating of 31 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg combined, making it one of the most fuel-efficient subcompact crossovers available.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering a robust 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offered impressive towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, equipped with Road Preview technology, provided a smooth ride by identifying and preparing for road imperfections. The SUV's new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. During testing, the Navigator demonstrated its capability on snowy and muddy roads, thanks to its four-wheel drive, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and appropriate driving modes. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 18.6 mpg during evaluation.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a compact cabin with easy-to-reach controls and good small-item storage. The interior featured a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable front seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The Kicks provided best-in-class front seat legroom, though the hip room was somewhat limited for larger drivers. The rear seats comfortably accommodated adults, a rarity in the subcompact class. The available tonneau cover offered hidden storage in the rear cargo area.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in interior comfort and space. The front seats were 30-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing exceptional comfort. The second-row captain's chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massage functions, along with an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system. The third-row seats remained spacious and supportive, benefiting from the Navigator's independent rear suspension design. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with the long-wheelbase version providing even more room. Cargo capacity ranged from 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row to a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came equipped with a range of modern technology features, including a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims added features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, and a surround-view monitor. The Kicks SR Premium Package included a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system, providing an immersive audio experience. A WiFi hotspot and NissanConnect services were available as options.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering improved functionality and user experience. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with voice recognition capabilities. The Navigator's rear-seat entertainment system, enhanced with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to popular streaming services. The test vehicle featured a 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of driver-assistance features including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot warning. The Kicks was equipped with 10 airbags, and higher trims added a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert. While the 2021 model had not been crash-tested, the similar 2020 model received good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The SUV also featured a surround-view camera system. ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways. While the system performed well in testing, it required the driver to remain attentive at all times.