2022 Mazda CX-5 vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

It’s easy for a luxury brand to lose stature and cachet, but it’s hard for a mainstream brand to gain it. Nevertheless, Mazda is giving it the good old college try, having discussed its plan to become a premium brand for more than half a decade.

Unlike some automakers that rely solely on marketing to support their premium brand positioning, Mazda heavily invests in everything from design and engineering to dealership facilities, all to ensure there is substance behind its claim. Now, numerous updates to its most popular model elevate the 2022 Mazda CX-5 solidly into premium territory.

Don’t believe us? Drive one of the turbocharged versions of the 2022 CX-5 back to back with a similarly priced Audi Q3, Buick Envision, BMW X1, GMC Terrain, or Mercedes-Benz GLA, and you’ll see what we mean.

Sometimes, only a full-size SUV will do. Among the handful of large luxury models available, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator stands apart with its classically elegant design, robust towing capacity, and soothing comfort in all three rows of seats.

For the 2022 Navigator, Lincoln makes numerous changes to update the SUV’s styling, comfort, technology, safety, and driving dynamics. To experience the changes first-hand, we headed to Scottsdale, Arizona following a cold snap of winter weather. In short, the facelift has revived the aging Navigator, keeping it competitive against newer rivals.