2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and was offered in the U.S. as a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front featured a parametric grille that hid standard LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The headlights and daytime running lights formed a unique shape resembling the wings of the Aztec Spirit Bird. The side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. The rear showcased toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs in all but the base model, helping the Tucson stand out among compact SUVs.

The Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim level. High-end trims featured premium fascias, front and rear skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. The cabin was well-appointed, with standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, and available sport combination and leather-trimmed seats on higher trims. Horizontal lines across the dashboard and an uncluttered aesthetic gave the interior a sense of spaciousness.

Lincoln made subtle styling changes to the 2022 Navigator, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch design now standard. The front end was restyled with an Audi-esque grille, which some felt reduced the Navigator's elegance. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern 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, offering ample display acreage.

The Navigator continued in standard and long-wheelbase styles with Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trim levels. The Black Label trim featured a new Central Park theme with a green interior and second-row heated, ventilated, and massaging captain’s chairs. The total sticker price for the Black Label model tested was $106,530, including the destination charge.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came in two powertrain variants: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain offered 226 total system horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain made the Tucson more powerful and fun to drive, especially compared to competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Front-wheel drive Tucsons with the ICE engine achieved an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. Adding AWD reduced these figures slightly. The Tucson Hybrid models were more fuel-efficient, achieving 37 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined. The forthcoming Tucson PHEV was expected to offer 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated 25 miles of all-electric range.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) and had a towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview and a new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking response.

During testing, the Navigator's twin-turbo V6 effortlessly climbed past the snow line and handled various driving conditions, including snow and mud, with ease. The Navigator 4WD achieved an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 18.6 mpg.

The Hyundai Tucson offered a budget-friendly yet well-appointed interior, comparable to competitors like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Escape. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The new platform made the Tucson more spacious, with ample room for passengers and cargo. The rear seats offered more legroom than the RAV4, and the cargo area provided 74.8 cubic feet of space, comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's interior featured 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 luxurious experience. The third-row seat offered roomy accommodations, and the Navigator L's long-wheelbase configuration provided even more cargo space. The Navigator offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with a strong set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, but required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen was embedded within a black plastic head unit that included climate control and radio/media functionality, which could be challenging to use while driving.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering two data panels for navigation and music details. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and allowed users to save settings to a user profile. The voice recognition system was improved but not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. The test vehicle also had a new 28-speaker Revel 3D high-end audio system.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention monitor, rear occupant alert, speed limit assist, and leading vehicle departure alert. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera system, and remote parking assist. Hyundai offered a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. Intersection Assist could automatically brake for unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking, and ActiveGlide provided semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. The surround-view camera system was newly standard.