2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its elevated stance, offering 9.5 inches of ground clearance, a 0.8-inch increase over other Outbacks. This model featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection trim, and improved approach and departure angles due to restyled bumpers. Unique design elements included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. The roof rack system was new, supporting a 700-pound static load, and the exclusive Geyser Blue paint added to its rugged appeal.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness had a dark gray and black cabin with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, heated seats, a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray interior trim, Anodized Copper stitching, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. The waterproof rear seatback material and cargo tray were practical additions. Priced at $36,995 plus a $1,125 destination charge, the Outback Wilderness sat between the Onyx XT and Limited XT in the turbocharged Outback family.

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 with the Lincoln star and chrome detailing, which some felt reduced its elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's updates were largely successful, with the interior continuing to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a touch of sophistication.

The Navigator's cabin dazzled with a new Sync 4 infotainment system and a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The SUV continued to offer standard and long-wheelbase styles with Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims. The starting MSRP was $78,405, including a $1,695 destination charge. The Black Label test vehicle, painted Manhattan Green with a matching green interior, featured second-row heated, ventilated, and massaging captain’s chairs, bringing the total sticker price to $106,530.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided ample power for the 3,896-pound SUV, offering a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route.

The Outback Wilderness excelled off-road with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch wheels with Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The dual-function X-Mode traction system, hill descent control, and revised final-drive ratios enhanced its off-road capabilities. On pavement, the Outback felt quick but was limited by its tires, making it more suitable for off-road adventures.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), with a towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The new Road Preview adaptive-damping suspension and electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking performance.

During testing, the Navigator's twin-turbo V6 effortlessly climbed past the snow line, and the SUV handled snow and mud with ease, thanks to its 4WD system and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The adaptive suspension provided a smooth ride on various road conditions, and the SUV averaged 18.6 mpg in combined driving, slightly better than the EPA's estimate of 18 mpg.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, with the driver's seat offering 10-way power adjustment and the front passenger seat 8-way power adjustment. The rear seat provided ample space for two adults or three children, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area offered 32.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The robust roof rack supported a 220-pound dynamic load and a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's front seats were heated, ventilated, and massaging, with 30-way power adjustment. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing exceptional comfort. The third-row seat offered roomy accommodations, and the Navigator's independent rear suspension design ensured a comfortable ride. The Navigator L's long-wheelbase configuration provided even more cargo space, 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 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which dominated the center of the dashboard. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for volume, tuning, and temperature control, most functions required using the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was not very responsive, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable. The Outback also featured PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and featured two data panels for navigation and music details. Physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions were also provided. The voice recognition system was improved but not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The test vehicle also featured a 28-speaker Revel 3D high-end audio system.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness included the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (ADAS), featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The Wilderness also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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 was also newly standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous, hands-free driving technology, performed well on approved highways but required the driver to remain attentive. The Navigator's safety features aimed to enhance driving convenience and safety, though the driver still needed to monitor the vehicle's surroundings.