2023 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 offered seating for five, while the L trim provided a three-row, 7-passenger option. The 2022 model continued the modern and sporty design introduced in its 2020 facelift, featuring a revised grille and other exterior enhancements. Competing in the midsize luxury crossover segment, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling, characterized by sharp character lines and angular features, particularly in the front and rear.

The F Sport trim was the most performance-oriented and athletic in appearance, featuring 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, dark window trimming, F Sport badging, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. The base and L trims came with 18-inch wheels, bi-LED headlights, integrated LED turn signals, a rear spoiler, and LED daytime running lights and brake lights. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with nearly a dozen color combinations, while the F Sport added sporty elements like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. Despite its high-quality materials, the center stack felt dated due to an abundance of buttons.

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 the Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. The interior was all black with real wood trim panels and chrome accents, and the ambient lighting from the Reserve I package added contrast and character. The Navigator Reserve's cabin looked upscale and used quality materials, although the chrome plastic on the switchgear sometimes failed to convey luxury.

The Navigator's interior was spacious and comfortable, with power-deploying running boards for easy access. The test vehicle had Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, ensuring comfort for long trips. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy and provided a pass-through to the third-row seat, which could accommodate taller and larger adults. Storage space was generous, and the Navigator offered substantial cargo capacity, especially in the extended-length Navigator L model.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h added two high-torque electric motors for a combined output 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 came exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's real-world performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration.

The F Sport trim included front and rear performance dampers, an adaptive variable suspension, a sound generator, sport steering, and a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. However, the drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+) did not significantly alter the driving experience. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. The RX 350 returned an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The test vehicle had an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg combined but averaged 15.6 mpg during testing. Drivers could choose between five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an additional Hill Climb mode available with the towing package. The adaptive damping suspension with Road Preview aimed to improve ride quality.

In Normal mode, the Navigator's ride was not agreeable, with the 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires causing a truck-like ride over smaller bumps and a floating sensation over larger dips. Excite mode improved the ride quality 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 large wheels and tires. However, the steering was slow and lifeless, and the nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes. In urban settings, the Navigator's size proved a liability, making parking and maneuvering difficult.

The standard two-row Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably seating four adults, with a snug fit for five. Front headroom measured 39.4 inches, and rear headroom was 39.1 inches. Front legroom was ample at 44.1 inches, while rear legroom was 38.0 inches. The three-row L models shared the same wheelbase, resulting in limited space for the third row. The RX 350L had a 2/3/2 seating configuration, with second-row captain's chairs available.

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 down. The three-row models offered only 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, increasing to 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down and 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows folded. The rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high load-in height made loading cargo challenging. However, the RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a dedicated smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, quick-access head-up display button, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for additional cargo space. Power-deploying running boards facilitated easy access, and the test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats offered heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious and provided a pass-through to the third-row seat, accommodating taller and larger adults comfortably.

Storage space was abundant, with large trays and smaller compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats. The standard Navigator provided 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 Lexus RX came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available as an option. Despite being moved 5.5 inches closer to the driver, the touchscreens were still ergonomically unfriendly. The screens sat within a cove on top of the center stack, creating a lip that partially blocked icons and made tapping difficult. The touchpad controller was hypersensitive and unintuitive, leading to frustration.

The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, dual- and tri-zone climate control, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an available widescreen head-up display, and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system. 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 excellently, understanding and responding to commands accurately. The test vehicle had a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, providing lush sound. The Lincoln Way smartphone app and Phone As A Key technology allowed owners to unlock, start, and drive the Navigator using a digital key. The Lincoln Play system, however, was underutilized by teenagers who preferred their smartphones.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system with cyclist and pedestrian detection, and intelligent high beams. Additional standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS when equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the top-tier "plus" designation. The NHTSA gave the RX a four-star overall rating, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, which included advanced driving assistance systems like Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise allowed for hands-free driving on designated highways but required frequent driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, but no full assessment was available from the IIHS.