2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 showcased a distinctive design that set it apart from its Genesis siblings, despite sharing some styling cues. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a prominent shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that leaned more towards a fastback style than a traditional SUV. The ribbed detailing added a muscular touch, blending the visual bulk of an SUV with sleek, athletic elements. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia with large vents, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior embraced an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with most controls housed in a thin elliptical pod. The design was minimalistic, with a touchscreen perched atop the dashboard and hidden air vents. The interior offered a variety of color options and luxurious materials, such as Nappa leather upholstery with suede inserts in the Sport Prestige model.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, while not undergoing significant updates since its 2018 redesign and 2022 refresh, maintained its full-size SUV appeal. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured the Monochromatic Package, which included black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. The interior, predominantly black with real wood trim and chrome accents, exuded an upscale feel, though some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the luxury experience. The Navigator's cabin was spacious, with power-deploying running boards for easy access and Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample room and a pass-through to the third-row seat, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. Storage space was generous, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator's cargo space was substantial, especially in the extended-length Navigator L model, which offered significantly more room behind the third-row seat.

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 (AWD). The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, features more commonly found in sporty coupes. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced the vehicle's sporty character by holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy and lacked the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving, and the exhaust sound was not particularly pleasant. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising, though the ride was firm even in Comfort mode, and it lacked the solidity expected from a luxury vehicle.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The Navigator 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 with Road Preview aimed to enhance ride quality, but the Navigator's ride was inconsistent, feeling truck-like over smaller bumps and floating over larger ones. Excite mode improved the ride by stiffening the suspension and quickening the powertrain's response, but it negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator felt smaller on mountain roads, thanks to excellent outward visibility and impressive grip from the large wheels and wide tires. However, the steering was slow and lifeless, and the nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes. In urban settings, the Navigator's size was a liability, making parking and maneuvering difficult.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good due to thin rear pillars. 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. However, a covered storage cubby with USB ports was included for phones, and rear-seat passengers had their own climate controls. 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 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style with a cavernous cargo area. Power-deploying running boards facilitated easy access to the cabin, and the 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats provided heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious, with wide armrests and a pass-through to the third-row seat, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. Storage space was generous, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo 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 Navigator's interior was luxurious, with soft leather upholstery and a clean design, though the numerous seat adjustments could be overwhelming.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 was equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics made it user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller with pinch-and-zoom functionality added to its appeal. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key system, allowing drivers to use a smartphone instead of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services, included free for three years, offered features like remote camera activation, driver profiles, and last-mile guidance navigation.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an available widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant excelled in voice recognition, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided impressive sound quality. The Navigator also offered Phone As A Key technology, allowing owners to unlock, start, and drive the SUV using a digital key. Lincoln Play installed two touchscreens for rear-seat passengers, though they were largely ignored in favor of smartphones.

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, a driver-attention monitor, and Highway Driving Assist. It also featured eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional driver-assist features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available, the GV70's safety features were impressive.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) through the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. Notable features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. 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, though a full crashworthiness assessment was not available.