2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, quickly became one of the most sought-after vehicles. It returned with two new top-tier models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades model, designed for swamp trekking and deep water, featured an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco lineup expanded to seven trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities. However, the 2022 models sold out quickly, leaving many hopeful buyers empty-handed. The Bronco offered a choice between two-door and four-door body styles, a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, and a removable roof with either a soft- or hard-top.

The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height to enhance off-road performance. Inside, it continued the rugged theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and floor drain plugs. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select specific drive modes for different terrains. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco was equipped with modern technology, including a digital instrument panel, a large infotainment touchscreen, and advanced safety features. Its combination of off-road prowess and modern amenities made it a hit, though its popularity led to high prices and limited availability.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, continued to impress with its luxurious and spacious interior. Although it hadn't undergone significant updates since its 2018 redesign and 2022 refresh, it remained a top choice for those seeking comfort and utility. 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 upscale, with real wood trim panels, chrome accents, and ambient lighting. The Navigator Reserve's cabin was spacious and used quality materials, though some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the overall luxury feel.

The Navigator's twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine delivered 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. It offered five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an additional Hill Climb mode available with the towing package. The adaptive damping suspension, however, didn't provide the expected ride quality, with the SUV feeling like a truck over smaller bumps and floating over larger ones. Excite mode improved the ride but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size proved challenging in tight spaces, though its excellent outward visibility and impressive grip helped on mountain roads.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, notable for its seventh crawl gear, while the V6 was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All Broncos featured four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. Both engines provided ample power, with the Bronco excelling in off-road conditions. The Everglades model, in particular, handled difficult terrain with ease, including deep-rutted muddy trails, water crossings, and steep rock climbs.

On pavement, the Bronco impressed with its relatively smooth ride and precise steering, making it a better road trip companion than its direct rival, the Jeep Wrangler. Wind noise on the highway was a minor complaint, but the absence of tire howl contributed to the Bronco's overall excellence as a versatile vehicle.

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 in combined driving, but averaged 15.6 mpg during testing. The Navigator offered five Lincoln Drive Modes, with an additional Hill Climb mode available with the towing package. The adaptive damping suspension included Road Preview, which used the front camera to identify upcoming bumps and prepare the suspension accordingly.

In Normal mode, the Navigator's ride quality was disappointing, with the SUV feeling like a truck over smaller bumps and floating over larger ones. Excite mode improved the ride and handling, but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size proved challenging in tight spaces, though its excellent outward visibility and impressive grip helped on mountain roads. However, the nearly three-ton curb weight strained the brakes during downhill driving.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior, with ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but the four-door model provided easier access. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Bronco also featured clever storage solutions and accessories, including stowable doors and removable fender flares.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for additional cargo space. Power-deploying running boards made it easier to enter and exit the cabin, while the 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats provided heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious and provided a pass-through to the third-row seat, which accommodated taller and larger adults comfortably. Storage space was generous throughout the Navigator, with large trays and smaller compartments for passengers.

Cargo space in the Navigator varied depending on the model, with the standard model offering 19.3 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet behind the front seats. The extended-length Navigator L model provided even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes provided off-road confidence for novice drivers by selecting optimized drivetrain and chassis settings for specific terrain. The forward-looking trail camera, which overlaid lines indicating tire paths, was particularly useful for navigating difficult terrain. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system featured quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an available wireless charging pad.

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 infotainment 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. The digital assistant performed well, easily understanding and responding to commands. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality, and the Lincoln Way smartphone app allowed owners to unlock, start, and drive the Navigator using a digital key.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came with standard safety features such as hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Additional safety features, including frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams, were available on all but the base trim. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco received a four-out-of-five-star rating for frontal crash protection and a three-out-of-five-star rating for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the Bronco its best score of "Good" in frontal, side, and roof strength tests.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) through the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. Notable ADAS 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 Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.