2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood that visually tied it to the original version and the classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro callbacks, the design was thoroughly modern, featuring rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave the Defender a unique personality. The modern Defender was also much larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and improved ergonomics.

Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with modern comfort. The interior featured a mix of leather upholstery and suede, exposed screws, and bare metal, which added to its rugged appeal without seeming cheesy. The driving position was more comfortable than the original, with generous headroom and legroom. The Defender's design allowed for good outward visibility, and the interior was practical, with large storage spaces and functional controls.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling updates, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end was restyled with an Audi-esque grille, which some felt reduced its elegance and presence. However, the rest of the updates were successful, maintaining the Navigator's luxurious appeal. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln’s Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme, which mimicked a twilight sky.

The Navigator's new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen was a significant upgrade, offering a user-friendly interface and ample display space. The SUV continued to offer standard and long-wheelbase styles with various trim levels, starting at $78,405. The Black Label trim, with its luxurious Central Park theme, provided heated, ventilated, and massaging captain’s chairs in the second row, making it a comfortable and opulent choice for passengers.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, and a new 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. The V8 could accelerate the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case.

The Defender's V8 model featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. The Defender's off-road prowess was supported by a 4WD system with low range, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance. It also had an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued with 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 or four-wheel drive. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The SUV's adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology identified and prepared for road imperfections, ensuring a smooth ride.

The Navigator's new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. During testing, the Navigator effortlessly climbed past the snow line and handled various road conditions, including snow and mud, thanks to its 9.7 inches of ground clearance and appropriate driving modes. The Navigator's adaptive suspension provided a comfortable ride, and the SUV averaged 18.6 mpg during testing, slightly better than the EPA's combined rating of 18 mpg.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access in the two-door Defender 90. The four-door Defender 110 model provided more versatility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied, with three-row models offering up to 70.4 cubic feet with seats folded, and two-row versions providing up to 51.7 cubic feet. The interior design emphasized functionality, with easy-to-reach controls and ample storage space, including a large center-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration.

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, making long trips enjoyable. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations, and the Navigator's independent rear suspension design ensured comfort for all passengers. Cargo space was generous, with up to 103.3 cubic feet in the standard model and 120.2 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase Navigator L.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, and an 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch to respond. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, which was useful for off-roading.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's new Sync 4 infotainment system featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering a user-friendly interface with two data panels for navigation and music. Physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions were easy to use. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and users could save personal settings to a 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. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA.

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 standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways. The system performed well but required the driver to remain attentive. These features represented steps toward fully autonomous driving but emphasized the importance of driver vigilance.