2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a somewhat dated appearance due to its carryover styling from the previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru's decision to maintain the boxy, upright shape was likely a strategic move to appeal to SUV shoppers who favored this design. The Base trim level appeared plain with its 17-inch steel wheels, but the Forester's overall clean and unpretentious look stood out among compact crossovers. The Forester Sport model, with its orange striping, rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, added a sporty flair, especially when paired with a complementary paint color like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza and Outback, maintaining its rugged SUV marketing despite its sedan and hatchback underpinnings. The interior followed a no-nonsense approach with durable materials, and the Sport trim added orange accents. Cloth upholstery was standard on Base, Premium, and Sport models, while Limited and Touring trims featured leather. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, included heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling updates, including new headlights, taillights, and a restyled front end with an Audi-esque grille. While the grille's design was debatable, the rest of the updates were well-received. Inside, the Navigator continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring the new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen was a significant upgrade, offering ample display space and user-friendly controls.

The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, now with Road Preview, improved ride quality by preparing for road imperfections. The new electronic brake booster enhanced brake pedal feel and response. The twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, provided robust performance, and the SUV's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The Navigator's 4WD system, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and adaptive suspension made it capable in various driving conditions, including snow and mud.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a single powertrain option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability. The Forester's towing capacity was 1,500 pounds, with standard Trailer Stability Assist. While the engine's power was adequate for most situations, it lacked the desired thrust for highway merging and overtaking, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds.

The Forester's suspension tuning prioritized comfort over handling, resulting in a softly sprung ride that absorbed bumps but exhibited significant body roll in corners and bounce on uneven pavement. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, with a sophisticated drivetrain featuring X-Mode for different surfaces. Sport models included Dual X-Mode with "Snow/Dirt" and "Snow/Mud" modes. Premium and higher trims had hill-descent control, and all models offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making the Forester capable on mud and dirt but not suitable for serious off-roading.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The engine's performance was impressive, with a pleasing note under acceleration. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on wheelbase and drivetrain. The updated Trailer Reverse Guidance technology made towing easier.

The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview improved ride quality by preparing for road imperfections. The new electronic brake booster enhanced brake pedal feel and response. The Navigator's 4WD system, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and adaptive suspension made it capable in various driving conditions, including snow and mud. The SUV's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 18.6 mpg.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feeling, though it allowed sunlight to raise cabin temperatures quickly. The Forester's cargo space was generous, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench and wireless charging. The center console was reasonably sized, but the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average-size phone. The Forester's interior featured large knobs for audio and climate control, but the steering wheel had an overwhelming number of buttons.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's interior was exceptionally comfortable, with 30-way power-adjustable front seats that were heated, ventilated, and massaging. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing a luxurious experience. The third-row seat offered roomy accommodations and was more comfortable than the Cadillac Escalade's. The Navigator's cargo space was generous, with 19.3 cubic feet 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 offered even more cargo space.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's standard Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, front-row USB ports, and a CD player. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring models included navigation and rear USB ports. The infotainment system was user-friendly, but the screen was slow to boot up. The Forester also had a secondary screen in the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, which seemed overly complex.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's new Sync 4 infotainment system featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering a significant improvement over the previous model. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and included physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions. Sync 4's 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 and Amazon Prime. The test vehicle also had a new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Forester came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The Forester's driver-monitoring system, DriverFocus, ensured drivers remained attentive.

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 was also newly standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake for unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. ActiveGlide performed well but required driver attention, highlighting the need for human oversight.