2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, last redesigned in 2018 and refreshed in 2022, entered 2023 without significant updates. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. Despite its luxurious appearance, the chrome plastic on some switchgear failed to convey a true sense of luxury. The interior, predominantly black with real wood trim and chrome accents, was upscale but had some shortcomings in material quality.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape adopted a more European design language, moving away from the rugged, boxy aesthetic of its predecessors. The 2023 refresh introduced a more traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar. The ST-Line Elite trim, tested, featured 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale look similar to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked good but felt hard and plasticky. The seats were comfortable, and the ergonomics were well thought out, but the interior was dominated by plastic materials, some of which felt cheap.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The test vehicle had an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg combined but averaged 15.6 mpg during testing. The Navigator offered five drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an additional Hill Climb mode available with the towing package. Despite its adaptive damping suspension, the Navigator's ride quality was inconsistent, feeling truck-like over smaller bumps and floating over larger dips. Excite mode improved handling but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size was a liability in urban settings, making parking and maneuvering challenging.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, delivering 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in FWD or AWD. Higher trims, like the ST-Line Elite, featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD. The Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable on rough roads but not suitable for performance driving. The brakes were predictable and linear, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness common in some competitors.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for additional cargo space. The test vehicle featured 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, though finding the perfect adjustment was challenging. Storage space was generous, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The extended-length Navigator L model provided significantly more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2023 Ford Escape was comfortable, with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The front-door armrests were well-positioned, and the head-up display was easy to adjust. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, offering up to 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 many rivals, though headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for rear passengers.

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 system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L, Lincoln Connect services, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed well, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality. However, the wireless smartphone charger overheated the phone, making it unusable. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system was ignored by teenagers, who preferred their smartphones.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims like the ST-Line Elite. The system was well-organized, with easy navigation between Android Auto and the native navigation system. However, Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, and the volume knob's placement was inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, the system's feature set, layout, and ease of use were commendable.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, including Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise hands-free driving assist. BlueCruise worked on designated Hands-Free Blue Zones but struggled with curves, mixed pavement, and construction zones. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, but no full crashworthiness assessment was available.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal- and side-crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. The IIHS did not grant it a Top Safety Pick designation due to a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and a surround-view camera.