2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, a full-size luxury SUV, maintained its established design without significant updates since its last refresh in 2022. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim, which, while stylish, proved challenging to keep clean. The interior, predominantly black with real wood trim and chrome accents, exuded an upscale feel, though some chrome plastic elements detracted from the luxury experience. The cabin was spacious and comfortable, with ambient lighting adding character at night. Despite its high-end features, the Navigator's interior didn't fully convey the luxury expected at its price point.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 presented a more rugged aesthetic compared to its sibling, the CX-5. It was larger in dimensions, with a wider and longer stance, emphasized by square wheel arches and faux air vents. The CX-50 was available in eight trim levels, with the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition standing out for its active-lifestyle image, featuring all-terrain tires and a black hood graphic. The interior was well-designed, with a BMW-like infotainment screen placement and impressive material quality for a non-luxury brand. However, Mazda's aspiration to move upscale was still a work in progress, as evidenced by the standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats in base models.

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 4WD. It offered five driving 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 floaty over larger dips. In Excite mode, the suspension stiffened, improving the ride but reducing fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size was a liability in urban settings, making parking and maneuvering challenging.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo variant offered up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes. The CX-50's handling was less sporty than the CX-5, and the all-terrain tires on the Meridian Edition added noise and reduced grip. The roof platform also contributed to wind noise at highway speeds, making the CX-50 a better daily driver than an off-road adventurer.

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

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom but more legroom. It provided 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, trailing behind most competitors. The available power liftgate improved cargo access, but the area wasn't well-suited for dirty or bulky items. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage space and a substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the center console. While some competitors have minimized shifters for more space, Mazda maintained a traditional setup.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, both with a Constellation theme. The Sync 4 system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed well, accurately responding to commands, while the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality. However, the wireless smartphone charger overheated devices, leading to its disuse. The Lincoln Play system, with dual touchscreens for rear passengers, went unused by teenagers who preferred their smartphones.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, operated via a rotary controller and buttons on the center console. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto required a cable. Higher trims offered wireless phone charging, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The interface, while unconventional, was easy to use once acclimated, providing physical feedback through the rotary controller. The infotainment system's graphics were plain, but the setup was straightforward, appealing to those who prefer simplicity over excessive tech.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, offering advanced driving assistance systems like Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise allowed hands-free driving on designated highways but required frequent driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, but no overall crashworthiness assessment was available.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it received a "Basic" score for nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian prevention and "Average" for standard headlights. The NHTSA provided a five-star frontal crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating, but no overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, with optional rear automatic braking and a 360-degree camera system.