2023 Dodge Hornet vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch design becoming standard. The front end received a restyle, featuring an Audi-esque grille that some felt reduced the vehicle's elegance. Despite this, the rest of the updates were well-received, maintaining the Navigator's luxurious appeal. Inside, the Navigator continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design, enhanced by the new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen added to the vehicle's tech-savvy appeal.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet showcased its muscle-car heritage with a wide, aggressive front end, bulging hood, and dual extractors. The rear design, reminiscent of a Porsche Macan or Cayenne, added a premium touch, though it felt less distinctly Dodge. The standard silver 17-inch wheels were seen as a potential drawback, but the Blacktop and Track Pack packages offered more appealing alternatives. Inside, the Hornet featured performance-inspired elements like red stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The GT Plus trim offered more comfort with leather seats and additional adjustability, while the cockpit's driver-oriented layout emphasized its sporty nature.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offered robust performance and a pleasing engine note. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology and a new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking response. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg combined, and during testing, it averaged 18.6 mpg.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet boasted a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, delivering 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This performance outshined many competitors in the CUV segment. The Hornet's Sport mode enhanced throttle response, steering, and upshifts, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. While the base model exhibited peppy acceleration, it experienced some lag at higher speeds. The Hornet R/T's hybrid powertrain offered improved pickup. The Hornet's performance was complemented by its sporty exhaust note, adding to its appeal.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's interior featured exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massage, enhancing passenger comfort. The third-row seats provided ample space and support, making them suitable for adults. The Navigator's cargo space was generous, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more cargo space.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's GT Plus trim featured comfortable leather seats with four-way powered lumbar adjustment and memory settings. The Alcantara seats available with the Track Pack added a sporty touch. The cockpit's driver-oriented layout and well-placed controls enhanced the driving experience. Visibility was generally good, though the A-pillar design could obstruct the view in certain situations. The Hornet's interior space was adequate for a CUV, with comfortable seating for front passengers and reasonable rear-seat accommodations.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's new Sync 4 infotainment system featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering a modern and user-friendly interface. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and its voice recognition was improved, though not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet's Uconnect 5 system, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, was intuitive and easy to use. The digital gauge cluster measured 12.3 inches, emphasizing the driver-focused design. The GT Plus trim included a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, dual-phone Bluetooth connectivity, and Amazon Alexa. The navigation system worked well, though it occasionally continued giving instructions after ending a route.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, performed well on approved highways but required constant driver attention. The Navigator's safety features aimed to enhance driver confidence and convenience.

The 2023 Dodge Hornet came standard with advanced driver-assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, a rear backup camera, and rear park-assist. The Tech Pack added front, side, and rear park-assist, driver-attention monitoring, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. The Hornet had not yet been rated by IIHS or NHTSA.