2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 presented a unique blend of ruggedness and sleekness, inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models while maintaining its distinct appearance. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that leaned more towards a fastback than a traditional SUV. The ribbed detailing added a muscular touch, and the Sport Prestige models boasted unique styling features like a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark-finished chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior was inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with a minimalistic design that included a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller, offering a luxurious feel with options for Nappa leather upholstery and a variety of interior colors.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with an updated Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination sequence. The front end received a restyle, featuring an Audi-esque grille with Lincoln star and chrome detailing, which some felt lacked the elegance of previous models. Despite this, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, highlighted by the Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display and the upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV added to the vehicle's appeal, making it a strong contender in the luxury SUV market.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, a feature not commonly found in competitors like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The GV70 also included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. However, despite the aggressive Sport+ drive mode, the GV70's chassis felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of rivals like the Acura RDX and Porsche Macan. The ride was firm, even in Comfort mode, and the exhaust sound was not particularly pleasant.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering a robust 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration, and it featured Trailer Reverse Guidance technology. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview improved ride quality, and the new electronic brake booster enhanced brake pedal feel. The Navigator handled various driving conditions with ease, including snow and mud, thanks to its four-wheel drive, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and appropriate driving modes. Fuel economy for the 4WD model was estimated at 18 mpg combined, with the test drive averaging 18.6 mpg.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with front-seat headroom comparable to the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to the BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing the GV70 in the middle ground between competitors. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to offer exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing a comfortable ride. The third-row seat remained roomy and supportive, benefiting from the independent rear suspension design. Storage and cargo space were generous, with the Navigator L offering even more room. Cargo capacity measured 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed, with the Navigator L providing even more space.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system's tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added a touch of luxury. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display with a 3D effect. The GV70 also included a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles, free for three years.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering a user-friendly interface with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system allowed for personalized settings and featured a voice recognition system that, while not perfect, was an improvement over previous models. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The test vehicle also featured a 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering an exceptional listening experience.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. It also included eight airbags, with a front-center airbag for added protection. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the safety features provided a sense of security.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways, though driver attention was still required. While the system performed well under certain conditions, it required driver intervention in some situations, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.