2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox presented itself as an attractive crossover, even if it didn't boast the futuristic design of a Kia Sportage or the rugged appearance of a Toyota RAV4. Its restrained bodywork was complemented by a chunky front end, which made the grille appear smaller, offering a refreshing change from the aggressive front fascias common in the industry. The gold Bowtie emblem, while a bit garish against certain paint colors like Radiant Red Tintcoat, looked appealing on others such as Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with options for either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The interior of the Equinox Premier test vehicle featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, though the overall design felt somewhat dated with its small touchscreen and basic driver-information display.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, though not significantly updated since its 2018 redesign, maintained its luxurious appeal. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured the Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. The interior was predominantly black with real wood trim panels and chrome accents, and ambient lighting added character at night. The Navigator Reserve's cabin exuded an upscale feel with quality materials, though some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the luxury experience. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, despite its Amazon Fire TV streaming capability, went unused by the teenagers in the test, who preferred their smartphones.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. Despite the additional five horsepower for the 2023 model year, the Equinox didn't feel particularly sprightly, especially above 30 miles per hour. It managed to reach highway speeds in about eight seconds, but the process was noisy. The six-speed automatic transmission, while older, held gears longer than newer transmissions, contributing to the powertrain's noise. The Equinox offered all-wheel drive across all trims, but it required manual engagement via a button on the center console. The new electronically assisted brake-by-wire system improved braking performance, and the suspension handled bumps well, making the Equinox enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The Navigator's EPA fuel economy rating was 18 mpg in combined driving, but it averaged 15.6 mpg during testing. The SUV offered five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with Hill Climb available with the towing package. The adaptive damping suspension, though standard, didn't provide a smooth ride, especially with the 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires. Excite mode improved the ride quality but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator felt smaller on mountain roads, thanks to excellent outward visibility and impressive grip from the big wheels and wide tires, though the steering was slow and lifeless.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered a cargo area measuring 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which was larger than the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester but smaller than the Honda CR-V. With the rear seats folded, the maximum cargo space was 63.9 cubic feet, less than most competitors except Mazda. Passenger space was ample, with plenty of headroom and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver and rear-seat passengers. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, cup holders for every passenger, and a decently sized center console bin. The Premier-trim test vehicle included a nearly silent power liftgate.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for increased cargo space. Power-deploying running boards facilitated entry and exit, and the 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats provided heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious, with a pass-through to the third-row seat, accommodating taller adults comfortably. Storage space was generous, with large trays and smaller compartments throughout the cabin. The extended-length Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology offering was straightforward, with a 7-inch touchscreen in the LS, LT, and RS trims, and an 8-inch screen in the Premier. While not as flashy as Kia's UVO or Jeep's UConnect5 systems, the Equinox's tech was easy to use, with a crisp and clear display. The infotainment system responded quickly, with good voice recognition software and customizable icons for quick access to features. All trim levels included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a wireless charging pad standard on the Premier trim.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an available widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services, a navigation system, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed well, understanding and responding to commands accurately. The test vehicle also had a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, providing lush sound throughout the cabin. The Lincoln Way smartphone app and Phone As A Key technology allowed owners to unlock, start, and drive the SUV using a digital key.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came equipped with a suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure assistance, and automatic high beams. However, it lacked genuine level two autonomous driving technology. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Equinox five stars overall in crash tests, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated it poorly in the moderate overlap front crash test and marginally in the side-impact crash test.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was fortified with a comprehensive list of advanced driving assistance systems, bundled in the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. The test vehicle included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system for designated Hands-Free Blue Zones. BlueCruise struggled with curves, mixed pavement surfaces, and construction zones, requiring driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, but a full crashworthiness assessment was unavailable.