2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was often mistaken for its sibling, the Encore, due to their striking similarities. Both SUVs featured Buick's signature trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight styling. The Encore GX, however, had a slightly longer wheelbase and additional length, making it appear less tall and stubby. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its look with body-color moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and an "ST" badge. Inside, the Encore GX offered a mix of soft-touch materials and some hard plastics, with cloth seats standard on base models and leather seats on the top Essence trim. The heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel was well-sized, though some controls were cumbersome.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, last redesigned in 2018 and freshened up in 2022, entered 2023 with minimal updates. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured the Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. The interior was predominantly black with real wood trim and chrome accents, and ambient lighting added character at night. The Navigator Reserve’s cabin was upscale, though some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the luxury feel. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV streaming capability was included but went unused by the test vehicle's teenage passengers.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered two turbocharged three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter producing 137 horsepower and a 1.3-liter making 155 hp. The 1.2-liter engine was standard on the Preferred and Select trims, while the 1.3-liter was standard on the top Essence trim and optional on the lower trims. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available. FWD models used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic. The 1.3-liter turbo engine and CVT in the test vehicle provided adequate power, though it was a bit buzzy. The ride was noisier than expected, and driving dynamics were uninspiring. The Encore GX handled gravel driveways and dirt patches but wasn't tested off-road.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The test vehicle had an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg combined but averaged 15.6 mpg during testing. Drivers could choose between five Lincoln Drive Modes, with an adaptive damping suspension standard. The Navigator's ride quality was inconsistent, feeling truck-like over smaller bumps and floating over larger ones. Excite mode improved handling but reduced fuel efficiency. The Navigator felt smaller on mountain roads, with excellent visibility and impressive grip, though the steering was slow and lifeless. In urban settings, the Navigator's size was a liability, making parking and maneuvering challenging.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its small size, offered a comfortable and easy-to-live-with experience. Ingress and egress were effortless, and controls were clearly marked and legible. Front-seat headroom and legroom were adequate, though rear-seat knee room was tight. Cargo space measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The two-level cargo floor created a flat load floor when the rear seats were folded. The optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, with an adjustable maximum height.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for more cargo space. Power-deploying running boards made entry and exit easier. The test vehicle had 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. Second-row captain’s chairs provided a pass-through to the third-row seat, which accommodated taller adults. Storage space was generous, with large and small trays throughout the cabin. The extended-length Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX offered decent tech for its price, including an eight-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, Buick Connected Services with a built-in WiFi hotspot, front and rear USB ports, OnStar telematics, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A navigation system and built-in Amazon Alexa were available on higher trims. The test vehicle had the Advanced Technology package, adding HD surround vision, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and an upgraded infotainment system. The Convenience package included automatic parking assist, wireless phone charging, a rear camera mirror, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive app layouts and efficient voice recognition.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, widescreen head-up display, dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system, and a control screen on the back of the center console. The Sync 4 infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation with enhanced voice recognition, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed well, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality. The Lincoln Way smartphone app and Phone As A Key technology allowed owners to unlock, start, and drive the SUV using a digital key. The Lincoln Play system, however, was underutilized by teenage passengers.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came standard with several driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Teen Driver technology and a tire-fill alert system were also included. The Encore GX earned five stars for overall crash protection from the NHTSA and received "Good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests. The top Essence trim's LED headlights received an "Acceptable" rating, while lower trims' halogen headlights received a "Marginal" rating. The Encore GX also received "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, including Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise hands-free driving assist. BlueCruise worked on designated Hands-Free Blue Zones but required driver intervention in certain situations. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. However, a full crashworthiness assessment from the NHTSA and IIHS was not available.