2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport accommodated five passengers, while the L trim offered a three-row, 7-passenger configuration. The RX maintained its modern and sporty design, characterized by sharp character lines and angular features, following a facelift in 2020. Among its competitors in the midsize luxury crossover segment, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling. The F Sport trim, in particular, was the most athletic in appearance, featuring 20-inch wheels, unique front fascia, and sportier exterior elements. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with various color combinations, though the F Sport trim added a sporty touch with specific badging and trim materials. Despite its high-quality feel, the center stack felt somewhat dated, and the seats, especially in the F Sport, were less comfortable than expected.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with an updated front end. While the new grille design was reminiscent of an Audi, it was a rare misstep in an otherwise successful update. Inside, the Navigator continued to impress 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 was a significant upgrade, offering ample display space. The Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase styles with Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims. The Black Label trim, tested in a Central Park theme, featured a luxurious green interior with second-row captain's chairs and a total sticker price of $106,530.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with electric motors for a total of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive available. The hybrid RX was exclusively all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport trim included performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the driving experience remained uninspiring. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, offering a smooth ride and isolated road noise. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was estimated at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator offered rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with a towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology improved ride quality, and a new electronic brake booster enhanced brake response. The Navigator handled various driving conditions with ease, including snow and mud, thanks to its four-wheel drive and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. Fuel economy for the Navigator 4WD was estimated at 18 mpg combined, with the test vehicle averaging 18.6 mpg during evaluation.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its standard two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models shared the same wheelbase, resulting in limited space for the third row. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row version offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder, though the cargo area had a high load-in height.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator boasted exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats, with heated, ventilated, and massaging functions. The second-row captain's chairs were equally comfortable, and the third-row seat offered ample space. The Navigator's storage and cargo space were generous, with 19.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, expanding to 103.3 cubic feet with the second row folded. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more cargo capacity, making it ideal for larger families and loads.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the screen's positioning was ergonomically unfriendly, with access issues due to its design. The infotainment system offered voice commands and a touchpad, though the latter was frustrating to use. The RX included various tech features like six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start and vehicle settings customization.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering improved functionality and ease of use. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with user profiles for personalized settings. The Navigator's voice recognition system was improved, though not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services. The test vehicle also featured a 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality.

The 2022 Lexus RX came equipped with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS when equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights, though it missed the top-tier "plus" designation. The NHTSA awarded the RX four stars overall, with five stars in side crash tests.

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. While the system performed well, it required driver attention and did not react to all potential threats. These systems represented steps toward fully autonomous driving but required responsible driver engagement.