2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim did not impress with its new styling treatment. The lack of a suspension lift and more aggressive tires made it less convincing for off-road enthusiasts. The side steps, while useful for accessing the roof rack, hindered entry and exit and reduced the vehicle's breakover angle. The XRT trim, priced between the SE/SEL and the Limited/Calligraphy trims, offered little visual contrast, especially in the Portofino Gray paint with a black cloth interior. Despite this, the interior design was thoughtful and of high quality for its price point.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end, however, received mixed reviews due to its Audi-esque grille, which some felt diminished its elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's updates were largely successful. Inside, it continued to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring the new Constellation display theme. The Navigator's interior was further enhanced by a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering ample display space and modern functionality.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly powerful, it was adequate for everyday driving, reaching freeway speeds comfortably. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed smoothly, with various driving modes available to suit different conditions. However, the engine struggled on hills and lacked responsiveness in certain situations. The XRT's ride quality was commendable, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin, though it occasionally felt bouncy or stiff.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivered a robust 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided impressive towing capacity and a pleasing engine note. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, updated with Road Preview technology, ensured a smooth ride even on imperfect roads. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. During testing, the Navigator demonstrated its capability in snowy and muddy conditions, thanks to its four-wheel drive and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle achieving 18.6 mpg.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT offered a comfortable interior with dual-zone automatic climate control and stain-resistant fabric seats. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided good comfort, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Rear-seat accommodations were spacious, with ample legroom and foot room, making it suitable for families. The Santa Fe's cargo space was practical, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The hands-free power-opening "Smart Tailgate" was convenient but occasionally opened unintentionally.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in interior comfort, with 30-way power-adjustable front seats that were heated, ventilated, and massaging. The second-row captain's chairs offered similar features, enhancing passenger comfort. The third-row seat remained spacious and supportive, benefiting from the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator provided generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 103.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more cargo capacity.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and clean graphics. However, the XRT lacked the upgraded system available in higher trims. Hyundai's digital key technology allowed Android users to use their smartphones as keys, while the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system helped prevent traffic delays.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and featured intuitive controls. Sync 4's voice recognition was improved, though not perfect. 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 exceptional sound quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of driver-assist and collision-avoidance systems. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Junction Turning Detection system and Safe Exit Assist added extra layers of safety. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed hands-free driving on approved highways. While it performed well, drivers were advised to remain attentive. These systems represented steps toward fully autonomous driving but required human oversight.