2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, though no longer purely Swedish, benefited greatly from its acquisition by Geely Holding Group. This transition allowed Volvo to shed its Ford-era constraints and innovate with new platforms and engineering. The XC60, built on Volvo’s SPA platform, showcased a sophisticated design with short overhangs, an upright grille featuring the iconic iron mark logo, and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights. The interior was a testament to Scandinavian design, with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, though initially controversial, became more accepted over time. The cabin’s details, such as the elegant HVAC vents and harmonious textures, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end received a restyled grille, which some found less elegant than before. Inside, the Navigator continued to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a unique touch, resembling a twilight sky. The updated Sync 4 infotainment system featured a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, enhancing the user experience. The Navigator’s interior remained spacious and comfortable, with heated, ventilated, and massaging seats in both the front and second rows, and a roomy third row.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model, available in FWD or AWD, produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model, with AWD, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, thanks to its turbocharger and supercharger. The T8 model, a plug-in hybrid, combined a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant pushed these figures to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft. The XC60’s AWD system and torque vectoring provided a smooth and secure driving experience, making it an excellent choice for road trips. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, with the T8 achieving 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

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. Available in RWD or 4WD, the Navigator boasted a towing capacity between 8,100 and 8,700 pounds. The adaptive-damping suspension, updated with Road Preview, smoothed out imperfections in the road, while the new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. The Navigator’s 4WD system, combined with 9.7 inches of ground clearance, handled snow and mud with ease. Fuel economy for the 4WD model was rated at 18 mpg combined, with our test drive averaging 18.6 mpg.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in providing comfort and functionality. The front seats were highly adjustable and heated, making them ideal for winter conditions. The heating system, rear glass heater, and windshield defroster performed exceptionally well in sub-freezing temperatures. The cabin offered smart storage solutions, with secure storage in the second row and intuitive controls. The XC60 provided 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It also had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator’s interior was equally impressive, with 30-way power-adjustable front seats that were heated, ventilated, and massaging. The second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massage functions, while the third row provided ample space and comfort. The Navigator’s storage and cargo space were generous, with 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more cargo 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 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system’s portrait orientation and segmented screen design made it intuitive for frequent iPad users, though it required a learning curve. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Volvo On Call app added vehicle-specific functionality, such as remote locking and starting. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system in the test vehicle was exceptional.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen. The new system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and featured a user-friendly interface. Physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions were easy to use. The voice recognition system, though not perfect, performed well overall. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, now with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered an outstanding audio experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 continued Volvo’s tradition of safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. The semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system integrated adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. Volvo also limited the XC60’s top speed to 112 mph for safety reasons.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system became standard. Intersection Assist and Road Edge Detection aimed to prevent unsafe movements and keep the vehicle on the road. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking tasks, while ActiveGlide offered semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. Though ActiveGlide performed well, it required the driver’s attention at all times.