2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2024 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator continued to embody the brand's commitment to luxury and functionality, even as it awaited a future electric transformation. With its last redesign in 2018 and a refresh in 2022, the Navigator entered 2023 with minimal changes. The model maintained its imposing presence, with the Reserve trim offering a monochromatic package that included black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. Inside, the Navigator's cabin was a blend of upscale materials and ambient lighting, though some chrome plastic elements fell short of conveying true luxury. The triple-black test vehicle featured a Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, which went largely unused by tech-savvy teenagers, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System that filled the cabin with rich sound.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out with its sleek design and distinctive styling elements, such as split headlights and a large shield-like grille. The GV70's design struck a balance between SUV presence and luxury-car style, avoiding the excessive quirkiness of its smaller sibling, the GV60. The interior was equally impressive, with a unique layout featuring an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller. The GV70's cabin offered traditional luxury touches like quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof, while also incorporating innovative details that set it apart from competitors. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same stylish design as its gasoline counterpart, with the charge port cleverly integrated into the grille.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by 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 offered five driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. Despite its adaptive damping suspension, the Navigator's ride quality was inconsistent, with a tendency to feel truck-like over smaller bumps and floaty over larger dips. The Excite mode improved handling on winding roads but negatively impacted fuel efficiency, with the test vehicle averaging 15.6 mpg on a Southern California loop. The Navigator's size proved challenging in urban environments, making parking and maneuvering in tight spaces difficult.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a choice of powertrains, including a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and an available 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 375 horsepower. Both gasoline engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors, providing a combined 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, with a Boost Mode offering 483 horsepower for short bursts. While the GV70 delivered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning fell short of the sportiest rivals, feeling heavier and less agile through corners. The suspension struggled to absorb road imperfections, and the ride quality was average for its class. The Electrified GV70 offered adjustable regenerative braking, allowing for one-pedal driving, and maintained similar driving dynamics to the gasoline model despite its additional weight.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across all three rows and a generous cargo area. The test vehicle featured Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, though finding the ideal seating position proved challenging. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample room and easy access to the third row, where even taller adults could sit comfortably. Storage space was abundant, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The extended-length Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 provided competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than some rivals but more front-seat legroom than others. The GV70's cargo capacity was better than the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and BMW X3 but fell short of the Audi Q5. The Electrified GV70's interior dimensions were only slightly reduced to accommodate the battery pack, with minimal impact on passenger and cargo space. The GV70's stylish interior design came at the expense of small-item storage, though it included a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls. The Electrified GV70 featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing support during spirited driving.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system for rear-seat passengers. The Sync 4 infotainment system offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed well, accurately responding to voice commands, while the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided exceptional sound quality. The Navigator also included Phone As A Key technology, allowing owners to unlock, start, and drive the SUV using a digital key.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 came standard with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trim levels featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with an intuitive layout and a rotary controller that offered a high-quality feel. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob. The 16-speaker Lexicon audio system delivered impressive sound quality, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise hands-free driving assist. BlueCruise operated on designated Hands-Free Blue Zones, but required driver intervention in certain situations, such as curves and construction zones. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, though a full crashworthiness assessment was not available.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. The NHTSA awarded the gasoline GV70 a five-star overall safety rating for the 2023 model, with four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings for the 2024 model. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Highway Driving Assist. The available Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.