2023 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

Lincoln made subtle styling changes to the 2022 Navigator, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch design now standard. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille that some felt reduced the Navigator's elegance. Despite this, the rest of the updates were well-received, maintaining the SUV'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. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display added to the high-tech feel, making the Navigator competitive in the screen size race.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, retained its familiar yet attractive look. Dodge avoided oversized grilles, opting for clean, car-like styling with slim headlights and a large lower air intake. The rear featured Dodge’s signature “racetrack” taillights. The muscular SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had unique styling features, including a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The Durango offered various appearance packages, including the Blacktop and Hemi Orange packages, and added new colors like Frostbite and Night Moves. Inside, the Durango provided a comfortable environment with materials suited to each trim level, and higher trims offered luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated second-row captain’s chairs.

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. It offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) options. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview and a new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking response. The Navigator handled various driving conditions well, including snow and mud, thanks to its 4WD system and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. Fuel economy for the 4WD model was rated at 18 mpg combined, and during testing, it averaged 18.6 mpg.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat model boasted a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Durango's adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes made handling its power manageable. The Durango also excelled in towing, with V6 models capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator offered exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs also featured heating, ventilation, and massage functions, making long trips enjoyable. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations, and the Navigator's independent rear suspension design ensured comfort. Cargo space was generous, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row (34.3 cubic feet for Navigator L), 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded (73.3 in Navigator L), and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet (120.2 cubic feet in Navigator L).

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with front bucket seats, a three-seat second-row bench, and a two-seat third-row bench standard on lower trims. Higher trims featured second-row captain’s chairs. The Durango provided competitive interior space, with headroom and legroom comparable to other midsize SUVs. Cargo space was 17.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. Small-item storage was generous, with a large wireless charging pad and well-placed USB ports. However, the lack of a power-folding third row was a drawback for higher trims.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator upgraded to a Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering a user-friendly interface and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions were well-designed. The voice recognition system was improved but not perfect. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, now with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on higher trims. The Uconnect 5 system on the larger screen was responsive and easy to use. SRT models included performance-oriented features like the Performance Pages app, providing performance data and additional gauges. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln’s semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed hands-free driving on approved highways but required driver attention. The system performed well but required driver intervention in certain situations.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings. The IIHS gave it top marks in some tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash test. RWD models received four stars in the rollover test, while AWD models got three stars. Standard driver-assist features were limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims. Forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking were standard only on the Citadel and optional on other trims.