2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the original Ioniq, by establishing itself as a standalone brand focused solely on electric vehicles. This new model showcased a sleek and polished exterior, characterized by minimal character lines and a unique Parametric Pixel design. The exterior lighting, including headlights and taillights, featured an abundance of pixelated elements, giving the Ioniq 5 a futuristic and concept car-like appearance. Inside, the Ioniq 5 embraced a "Living Space" design theme, offering a calming and comfortable cabin with sustainable materials and innovative features like a "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator maintained its traditional luxury SUV appeal with a focus on comfort and utility. The Navigator's exterior design remained largely unchanged from its previous iterations, featuring a classic and imposing presence. Inside, the Navigator offered a spacious and luxurious cabin with high-quality materials and advanced technology. The triple-black Navigator Reserve model, with its Monochromatic Package, exuded sophistication, while the interior boasted real wood trim panels and chrome accents. Despite its upscale appearance, some elements, like the chrome plastic switchgear, fell short of conveying true luxury.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrains and configurations to suit different preferences. It came in three trims—SE, SEL, and Limited—with rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. The base SE Standard Range featured a 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor, delivering 168 horsepower and a range of 220 miles. The extended-range variants, available in RWD and AWD, provided more power and range, with the AWD version boasting 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, albeit with a reduced range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5's performance was characterized by its composed handling and four drive modes, including Sport mode for added excitement.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator relied on a single powertrain option—a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD, the Navigator offered a range of driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. While the Navigator's ride quality was inconsistent, with a truck-like feel over smaller bumps, the Excite mode improved handling on winding roads. However, the Navigator's size and weight posed challenges in urban environments, making it less maneuverable in tight spaces.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5's Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) provided a spacious interior with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade. Despite its hatchback appearance, the Ioniq 5 offered ample passenger space, with a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet. The cabin featured soft-touch materials and a moveable center console, enhancing comfort and usability. The leatherette seats were both comfortable and supportive, catering to a wide range of driver sizes.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in providing functionality and luxury. With roomy seats in all three rows, the Navigator accommodated passengers comfortably, even in the third row. The 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats offered heating, ventilation, and massage functions, although finding the perfect adjustment could be challenging. The Navigator's cargo space was generous, with the extended-length Navigator L model offering even more room for luggage. Storage compartments throughout the cabin added to its practicality.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 impressed with its advanced technology, featuring a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in just 18 minutes, and offered unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years through Electrify America. The Ioniq 5's multimedia features included a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for improved visibility.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, while not emphasizing screen size, offered a range of digital displays, including a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sync 4 infotainment system provided wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a navigation system and Alexa Built-in. The Navigator's digital assistant excelled in voice recognition, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System delivered impressive sound quality. However, the wireless smartphone charger tended to overheat devices, limiting its usability.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system, adapted to the driver's habits through machine learning. While crash-safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record with IIHS Top Safety awards suggested high safety standards for the Ioniq 5.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, offering a comprehensive set of ADAS features. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system, allowed for hands-free driving on designated highways, although it 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.