2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade had joined Hyundai's lineup in 2020, replacing the Santa Fe XL as the brand's flagship SUV. It stood out with its elegant and striking exterior design, shedding any criticisms of earlier Hyundai models. The Palisade featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and expressive LED headlights, giving it a signature look. Inside, the Palisade offered a polished and near-luxury experience with high-quality materials, a horizontally arrayed screen, and spacious seating for up to seven passengers. The fit and finish were impressive, making it a worthy flagship for Hyundai.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and a restyled front end. While the new grille design was reminiscent of an Audi, it didn't quite match the elegance of its predecessor. However, the Navigator continued to impress with its mid-century modern interior design, featuring Lincoln's Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display was a significant upgrade, enhancing the overall user experience. The Navigator's interior remained spacious and comfortable, with luxurious materials and thoughtful design elements.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, combined with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a balance of power and efficiency. The Palisade's fuel economy was estimated at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for FWD models and 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined for AWD models. The Palisade's handling was commendable, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes, making it a versatile family SUV.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering a robust 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided impressive towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology ensured a smooth ride, even on imperfect roads. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. The Navigator's fuel economy was estimated at 18 mpg combined for the 4WD model, and it performed admirably in various driving conditions, including snow and mud.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled as a minivan replacement, offering comfortable seating and ample storage throughout the cabin. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The front row featured abundant storage options, including a center console with two compartments. Luggage space behind the third row measured 18.0 cubic feet, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 86.4 cubic feet with both rows folded flat. The Palisade's interior was well-designed, with intuitive controls and a dual-panel sunroof available on higher trims.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats, which were heated, ventilated, and massaging. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing a luxurious experience for rear passengers. The third row offered roomy accommodations, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator's cargo space was generous, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more cargo space.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's leadership in technology. The standard display audio system on SE and SEL models featured an 800 x 480 resolution screen, while the Limited and Calligraphy models (optional on SEL) boasted a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a 115-volt power outlet were available. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received a significant upgrade with the new Sync 4 infotainment system and a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and featured a user-friendly interface. The Navigator also offered physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The test vehicle featured a 28-speaker Revel 3D high-end audio system, delivering an exceptional audio experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned high marks for safety, with a comprehensive list of standard and available features. Passive safety features included seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, and more. Standard active safety and advanced driver assistance features included anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Palisade received the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. Intersection Assist could automatically brake in unsafe traffic conditions, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 allowed the Navigator to park itself, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. The Navigator's safety features performed well, but the driver still needed to remain attentive. These systems represented steps toward fully autonomous driving.