2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban carried forward the brand's full-size truck design language, which was introduced with its 2021 redesign. This design shared similarities with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup, giving the Suburban a supersized appearance with its tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels. The Suburban offered a variety of grille, fascia, and wheel designs across its six available trims, allowing for a degree of customization despite its single body style. The RST trim, in particular, stood out with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior, 22-inch bright-machined black-painted wheels, and monochromatic black grille, creating a sporty and attractive look. Inside, the Suburban provided a spacious cabin ranging from economically comfortable in the base LS trim to plush in the High Country trim. The RST model featured 10-way power seats, Jet Black perforated leather with Victory Red stitching, and an optional Luxury package, though the predominantly black interior made the cabin feel somewhat dark.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with an updated Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome sequence. The front end received a restyle, featuring an Audi-esque grille with Lincoln star and chrome detailing, which some felt reduced the Navigator's elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, highlighted by the new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The 2022 model introduced a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen with the new Sync 4 infotainment system, offering improved functionality and user experience. The Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase styles, with trims including Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. The Black Label trim, evaluated in a Central Park theme, featured a Manhattan Green exterior and a luxurious green interior with second-row captain’s chairs, contributing to a total sticker price of $106,530.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six delivering 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-liter V8, part of the Sport Performance package, provided noticeable power and acceleration, making it ideal for towing, with a maximum capacity of 8,300 pounds. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride quality and increased cargo space. The RST test vehicle, equipped with the 6.2-liter V8, excelled in towing a Chevrolet Impala on a trailer, showcasing its capability and ease of use.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on configuration. The SUV featured an updated adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview, enhancing ride quality by preparing for road imperfections. The Navigator's electronic brake booster improved brake feel and response. During testing, the Navigator demonstrated impressive performance, effortlessly climbing elevations and handling snow and mud with ease, thanks to its 4WD system and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The Navigator achieved an average fuel economy of 18.6 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most models offered seven- or eight-passenger seating, with a livable third row providing adequate headroom and legroom. The Suburban boasted 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat. The optional power-sliding center console added storage flexibility. However, the Suburban's size made maneuvering and parking challenging in tight spaces, and its height could be an issue for some garages. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls required adjustment for those accustomed to a column-mounted shifter.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to offer exceptional comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats, which were heated, ventilated, and massaging. The second-row captain’s chairs also featured heating, ventilation, and massage functions, enhancing passenger comfort. The Navigator's third-row seat remained spacious and supportive, benefiting from the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator L variant provided additional cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 103.3 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Navigator's interior offered ample storage and cargo capacity, making it suitable for large families and their belongings.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured a range of technology options, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in standard on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System, with an 8-inch touchscreen, was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch version with Google built-in was standard on higher trims. The Suburban offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and a range of audio systems, including a nine-speaker Bose system on the LT and a 10-speaker Bose Surround system on the Premier and High Country. The Suburban's technology suite included 13 camera views, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering improved functionality and user experience. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with voice recognition and over-the-air update capabilities. The Navigator's rear-seat entertainment system, enhanced with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The test vehicle featured a 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality. The Navigator's technology suite offered a comprehensive and user-friendly experience, with ample customization options.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with the Chevy Safety Assist suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash protection. The IIHS had not tested the current-generation Suburban.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, and Active Park Assist 2.0. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways. The Navigator's safety features provided comprehensive protection, though the effectiveness of some systems, like Intersection Assist and Road Edge Detection, was not fully experienced during testing. ActiveGlide performed well within its operational limits, though driver attention remained necessary.