2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling updates, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a standard 20-inch option. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille that some felt diminished 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 high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design, highlighted 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 Ford Escape, on the other hand, moved away from its previous blocky design to a more European aesthetic. The 2023 refresh replaced the cartoonish grille with a traditional front end featuring a stylish LED light bar. The ST-Line Elite trim we tested sported 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale look. Inside, the Escape featured diamond-stitched leather upholstery, though it felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat made long drives pleasant. However, the interior was dominated by plastic, some of which felt cheap and poorly reinforced.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offered robust performance and a pleasing note under acceleration. 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 enhanced the driving experience, making it smooth and responsive. The Navigator averaged 18.6 mpg during our test drive, slightly above the EPA's combined rating of 18 mpg.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The latter, available exclusively with AWD, provided better acceleration and high-speed performance. However, the Escape's suspension remained soft, prioritizing comfort over performance. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness common in some competitors.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats, which were heated, ventilated, and massaging. The second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massaging functions, making long trips enjoyable. The third-row seats were spacious and comfortable, thanks to the independent rear suspension. 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 space.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating with excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests and center console armrest were well-positioned, and the front-seat cupholders were conveniently arranged. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. This was less than some competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Rear-seat legroom was also slightly less than rivals, though headroom was ample, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for tall passengers.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator upgraded to a Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering a more modern and user-friendly experience. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and featured a voice recognition system that, while not perfect, was improved from the previous model. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system now included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2023 Ford Escape also featured the Sync 4 system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between different functions. However, it was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, the system's overall feature set and ease of use were impressive.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, performed well on approved highways but required constant driver attention. The surround-view camera system was also newly standard, enhancing safety during parking and low-speed maneuvers.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test. The standard Co-Pilot360 suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and a surround-view camera, providing a semi-autonomous driving experience.