2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer was available in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trim levels. Most trims came with a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine and offered either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The RS trim stood out with its V6 engine and a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system designed for better performance on low-traction surfaces. For 2022, the Blazer saw minor updates, including revised bumper and bodyside trim for the Premier version, new standard wheels, and the introduction of an Enhanced Convenience Package and a Trailering Package for models with the turbocharged engine. Two-tone paint options were also added for the LT and RS trims. Pricing ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. Our test vehicle, a Blazer RS with optional AWD and several packages, totaled $49,000.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, last redesigned in 2018 and refreshed in 2022, entered 2023 with minimal changes. The base trim was set to be renamed Premiere in 2024, with 4WD becoming standard across all models and an extended BlueCruise hands-free driving system subscription. Our test vehicle was a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featuring a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. It also included the Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, which went unused by our teenage passengers. The MSRP for this model was $104,715, including a $1,695 destination charge. The interior was predominantly black with real wood trim and chrome accents, and ambient lighting added character at night. However, some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the overall luxury feel.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul driving modes. The Blazer RS featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 308 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, also mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine was optional for the 3LT and Premier trims but came with a more advanced dual-clutch AWD system in the RS. The V6 could tow up to 4,500 pounds, 1,000 pounds more than the base engine. The Blazer RS felt firm and sporty in city and highway driving, though the V6 engine was often loud and unrefined. The SUV's handling was less impressive on winding roads, with a suspension that felt bouncy and a nine-speed automatic that was slow to downshift. The steering in Sport mode was artificially heavy, and the brakes struggled on long descents. The Blazer RS averaged 20.5 mpg in combined driving, slightly below its EPA rating of 21 mpg.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by 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 a 4WD drivetrain. The test vehicle had an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg in combined driving but averaged 15.6 mpg on our testing loop. Drivers could choose from five Lincoln Drive Modes: Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with Hill Climb available with the optional towing package. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension included Road Preview, which used a front camera to prepare for changes in the road surface. In Normal mode, the Navigator's ride was truck-like over small bumps and floaty over larger ones. Excite mode improved the ride quality and handling but reduced fuel efficiency. The Navigator felt smaller on winding roads, thanks to excellent visibility and impressive grip from its large wheels and tires. However, the steering was slow and lifeless, and the brakes struggled with the SUV's nearly three-ton curb weight. In urban settings, the Navigator's size was a liability, making parking and maneuvering challenging.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered reasonable comfort and utility. The RS test vehicle featured black leather upholstery with red perforations, giving the cabin a sporty look. The steering wheel was comfortable to grip, with power tilt and telescopic adjustment and heating. Both front seats had power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, though the bottom cushions lacked thigh support. Dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents kept the cabin comfortable. The back seat was spacious and could slide forward and back to adjust cargo or passenger space. Storage options included a large glove compartment, a bin under the center armrest, and various door bins and seatback pockets. The Blazer's cargo area measured 30.5 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was small for a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering 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 featured Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious and provided a pass-through to the third-row seat, which could comfortably accommodate taller adults. Storage space was generous, with large trays and smaller compartments throughout the cabin. The 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, compared to the standard model's 19.3, 57.5, and 103.3 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display with high-resolution graphics. The system included a power/volume knob, tuning buttons, and easy-to-navigate menus. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an upgraded system offering satellite radio and connected navigation with enhanced voice recognition. Connected services like OnStar and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot were available, though trial periods were short. The test vehicle also had wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Bose audio system. Safety features included rear parking sensors, a high-resolution reversing camera, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror. The infotainment system was easy to use, with separate controls for volume, tuning, and climate settings.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an available widescreen head-up display, and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system. The Sync 4 system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot, a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition, and Alexa Built-in. Pairing an iPhone and using CarPlay was seamless, though the wireless smartphone charger overheated the phone. The digital assistant performed excellently, understanding and responding to various commands. The test vehicle also had a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, providing high-quality sound. Lincoln Play offered rear-seat passengers two touchscreens, though our teenage passengers preferred their smartphones. The Lincoln Way app and Phone As A Key technology allowed owners to unlock, start, and drive the SUV using a digital key.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Available upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and LED headlights. The test vehicle had all available driving aids, which worked well even in heavy traffic. The adaptive cruise control responded smoothly to vehicles cutting in, and the lane-keeping assistance was effective. However, the Blazer did not receive a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS due to its headlights' performance.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, which included advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Notable features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system for designated Hands-Free Blue Zones. BlueCruise struggled with curves, mixed pavement surfaces, and construction zones, requiring the driver to take control frequently. The system also failed during sudden lane changes by other motorists, causing excessive braking and suspension dive. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, but no full crashworthiness assessment was available from the NHTSA or IIHS.