2023 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 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 the original, 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, offering good outward visibility. The Defender's interior design emphasized functionality, with large storage spaces and easy-to-reach controls, making it a practical choice for both on-road and off-road adventures.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, last redesigned in 2018 and freshened up in 2022, rolled into 2023 without significant updates. The test vehicle was a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featuring a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. The Navigator's exterior was imposing, but the all-black color scheme made it difficult to keep clean. Inside, the Navigator's cabin was upscale, with real wood trim panels and chrome accents, although some chrome plastic on the switchgear failed to convey luxury.

The Navigator's interior was spacious and comfortable, with power-deploying running boards for easy access. The front seats offered 30-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage, although finding the perfect position was challenging. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy, and the third-row seat could accommodate taller adults. Storage space was generous, and the extended-length Navigator L model provided even more cargo space. Overall, the Navigator delivered comfort, utility, and luxury in equal doses.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The new-for-2022 V8 engine produced 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, allowing the Defender 90 to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 149 mph. All Defender models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD) with a two-speed transfer case.

The V8 model also 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 4WD system, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance made it a capable off-roader. It also had an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD drivetrain. The test vehicle had an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg in combined driving but averaged 15.6 mpg during testing. Drivers could choose between five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with Hill Climb available with the optional towing package. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension included Road Preview, which used the front camera to identify upcoming bumps.

In Normal mode, the Navigator's ride was not agreeable, with the SUV riding like a truck over smaller cracks and bumps. Excite mode stiffened the suspension and quickened the powertrain's response but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator felt smaller on mountain roads, with excellent outward visibility and impressive grip from the big wheels and wide tires. However, the steering was slow and lifeless, and the nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes. In city and suburban settings, the Navigator's size proved a liability, making parking and navigating tight spaces difficult.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were surprisingly comfortable in the Defender 90 test vehicle. However, accessing them was challenging, and cargo space was limited. The four-door Defender 110 model was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models had 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions had 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The Defender's interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard shelf, a big center-console storage bin, and optional refrigeration. The shifter and climate-control knobs were easy to reach, and the optional basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes added to the Defender's cargo-carrying capabilities.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for more cargo space. Power-deploying running boards made it easy to access the cabin, and the 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats offered heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious, and the third-row seat could accommodate taller adults. Storage space was generous, with large trays and smaller compartments throughout the cabin.

The extended-length Navigator L model provided more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats. The standard Navigator offered 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet behind the front seats.

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 for 2022. The graphics and menu layouts were user-friendly, but the screen required a strong poke to respond. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system for off-roading.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, available widescreen head-up display, dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system, and a control screen on the back of the center console. The Sync 4 infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot, a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed well, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality. However, the wireless smartphone charger overheated the phone, making it unusable.

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

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) in the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. These included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise hands-free driving assist. BlueCruise worked on designated Hands-Free Blue Zones but struggled with curves, mixed pavement surfaces, and construction zones. The Navigator had a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.