2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept. Despite its daring front styling, the Outlander maintained a balanced and appealing design from the front wheels to the rear bumper. Available in various trims, including ES, SE, and SEL, the Outlander offered standard or optional 20-inch wheels, with prices ranging from $25,795 to $35,345. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with AWD, featured luxurious touches like premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing its upscale interior ambiance. However, some interior plastics reminded drivers of its position in the compact crossover SUV segment.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, a full-size luxury SUV, continued to impress with its imposing presence and luxurious features. Although it hadn't undergone significant updates since its 2018 redesign, the Navigator remained a symbol of opulence. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. Inside, the Navigator's cabin exuded luxury with real wood trim panels and chrome accents, complemented by ambient lighting. Despite its upscale appearance, some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the overall sense of luxury. The Navigator's spacious interior and advanced features, such as the Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, added to its appeal, though the system went unused by tech-savvy teenagers.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), it offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an optional Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. Despite its "super" designation, the S-AWC used a brake-induced torque-vectoring system. The Outlander featured various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, and Tarmac, but its performance left much to be desired. The engine's power deficit was evident during acceleration, especially on highways or when overtaking. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was too firm, resulting in a brittle ride on imperfect roads. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA's 26 mpg rating for AWD models.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, boasted a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD, it offered five driving modes, including Excite and Slippery. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension, with Road Preview, aimed to enhance ride quality. However, the Reserve trim's 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires resulted in a truck-like ride over smaller bumps. Excite mode improved handling on winding roads but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. Despite its size, the Navigator felt surprisingly nimble on mountain roads, though its nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes. In urban settings, its size proved cumbersome, especially in tight spaces.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, offering roomy and comfortable front seats with heated features. The interior design was clean and intuitive, with impressive digital instrumentation and a head-up display. However, the center console lacked storage space, and the third-row seat was cramped, suitable only for children. Cargo capacity was limited with the third row in use, but folding it down provided 33.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 78.3 cubic feet with the panoramic sunroof.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator prioritized functionality with its spacious interior and available extended body style. Power-deploying running boards facilitated entry and exit, while the 30-way Perfect Position front seats offered heating, ventilation, and massage. Despite their comfort, the seats' numerous adjustments proved challenging to perfect. Storage space was generous, and the Navigator's cargo capacity was substantial, especially in the extended-length Navigator L model, which offered up to 120.2 cubic feet of space behind the front seats.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured standout technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large head-up display, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. The 10-speaker Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator boasted a range of digital displays, including a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sync 4 system offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a navigation system and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant excelled in voice recognition, while the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided exceptional sound quality. However, the wireless smartphone charger overheated devices, and the Lincoln Play system went unused by rear-seat passengers.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, similar to Nissan's ProPilot Assist. It offered forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. However, the steering assistance and lane-departure prevention systems could be intrusive. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise allowed hands-free driving on designated highways but struggled with curves and construction zones. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.