2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet with a fresher interior than its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The Outback's interior, especially in the Premium trim and above, featured a bright 11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, offering a modern touch. The Onyx Edition XT, with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, added a unique flair. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding for protection and a few chrome accents. The 2021 model introduced adaptive LED headlights as standard and a new brown paint option, while still embodying the essence of a lifted wagon.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with an updated Lincoln Embrace illumination sequence. The front end received a restyle, featuring an Audi-esque grille that some felt lacked the previous model's elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a celestial touch, while the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen brought the Navigator up to date with its competitors. The Navigator's luxurious interior, especially in the Black Label trim, offered exceptional comfort with heated, ventilated, and massaging seats.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was hindered by its underpowered 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. This engine struggled to move the vehicle, especially when loaded, resulting in slow and noisy acceleration. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with a focus on comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru's proactive all-wheel-drive system.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivered a robust 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a pleasing note under acceleration and impressive towing capacity, ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, with Road Preview technology, ensured a smooth ride, even on imperfect roads. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response, while the Navigator's 4WD system and 9.7 inches of ground clearance made it capable in snow and mud. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg combined, with our test achieving 18.6 mpg.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance, allowing it to tackle various terrains without the bulk of larger vehicles. Inside, it provided 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and excellent visibility. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy front center console. However, some features, like push-button start and rear climate vents, were only available on higher trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in interior comfort, with 30-way power-adjustable front seats and newly massaging second-row captain's chairs. The third-row seat remained spacious and supportive, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 103.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more cargo capacity, making it ideal for larger families and loads.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Subaru EyeSight system, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. While effective, the system relied solely on cameras, limiting its functionality in certain conditions.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's new Sync 4 infotainment system, with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, brought it up to par with competitors. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with a user-friendly interface and voice recognition. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, featuring Amazon Fire TV, provided access to popular streaming services. The test vehicle's 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims, while rear emergency braking and a driver-attention monitor were optional. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall rating.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, performed well on approved highways, though drivers were advised to remain attentive. These systems represented steps toward fully autonomous driving but required driver vigilance.