2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

When shopping for a 2022 Jeep Wrangler, buyers had to choose between the classic two-door or the more practical four-door model. Depending on this choice, they could select from a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The standard six-speed manual transmission could be upgraded to an eight-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard, with multiple systems available based on the trim level. The Wrangler came in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions offering different roof and top options. The price range varied from about $30,000 to $80,000, excluding the destination charge.

The test vehicle was the new High Tide special edition, based on the four-door Sport S trim. It featured LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, a Gorilla Glass windshield, and High Tide or Beach hood decals. The Xtreme Recon package set it apart with a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires, and a 4.56 rear axle ratio. The High Tide model also included a gasoline V6 engine with eTorque mild hybrid electrification, an automatic transmission, Selec-Trac full-time 4WD, and several option groups, bringing the MSRP to $58,845, including the $1,595 destination charge. Jeep made minor equipment modifications for 2022, including a new air filtration system and new paint colors.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch design now standard. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille with the Lincoln star and chrome detailing, which some felt reduced its elegance and presence. Inside, the Navigator continued to impress with quality materials and mid-century modern design, now 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 trims. The MSRP started at $78,405, including the $1,695 destination charge. The test vehicle was a Navigator Black Label in the new Central Park theme, painted Manhattan Green with a matching green interior. It featured second-row heated, ventilated, and massaging captain’s chairs and a total sticker price of $106,530, including the destination charge.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option, and the test vehicle also had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The EPA estimated 21 mpg in combined driving for the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6, but the test vehicle averaged 16.8 mpg over a week and 435 miles of driving.

Driving a Jeep Wrangler was a unique and immersive experience, with a rough-and-tumble driving feel and a high fuel consumption rate. The Wrangler’s character and capabilities heightened awareness and encouraged exploration, making it a vehicle for those seeking adventure and a sense of freedom. However, it required frequent stops at gas stations and had a loud cabin, vague steering, and a rough ride.

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 and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The towing capacity ranged between 8,100 and 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The Navigator’s adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview and new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and brake response.

During testing, the Navigator’s twin-turbo V6 effortlessly climbed past the snow line, and the SUV handled snow and mud conditions with ease due to its 4WD, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and appropriate driving modes. The Navigator 4WD was expected to return 18 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 18.6 mpg during the test drive.

Getting into and out of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide was challenging, especially with its raised suspension. The manual height adjuster for the driver’s seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler’s seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and a mix of plastic and rubber interior materials. Visibility was a mixed bag, with some areas requiring leaning forward to see traffic lights and the 35-inch spare tire blocking part of the rear view. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry and exit difficulties but found agreeable accommodations once inside.

Storage options were limited, with netting on the lower door panels, a small tray on the dashboard, and a deep center console box and glove compartment. The tailgate, with the 35-inch wheel, was heavy and required caution when opening. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator’s 30-way power-adjustable front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massage, along with the updated Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system. Third-row passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations on a supportive seat, with the Navigator’s independent rear suspension design providing comfort.

Storage and cargo space were generous, with the Navigator offering 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat (34.3 cubic feet for Navigator L). Folding the third-row seat down provided 57.5 cubic feet of cargo volume (73.3 in Navigator L), and the maximum volume with the second-row seats collapsed was 103.3 cubic feet (120.2 cubic feet in Navigator L).

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on Sport S trim, had a relatively basic infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but the test vehicle did not have these features. The Wrangler High Tide included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, single-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats and steering wheel.

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 included a voice recognition system. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV provided 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 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Marginal ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for small overlap crash-test protection and side-impact test.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system was also newly standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake for unsafe movements, and Road Edge Detection could steer 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. ActiveGlide performed well during testing but required the driver to remain attentive.