2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its luxurious design and spacious interior, despite not undergoing significant updates since its last refresh in 2022. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured the Monochromatic Package, which included black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim, giving it a sleek appearance. Inside, the cabin was adorned with quality materials, including real wood trim and chrome accents, although some chrome plastic elements fell short of conveying true luxury. The ambient lighting added a touch of elegance, enhancing the upscale feel of the interior.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged charm with a few tweaks to the Wilderness trim, including a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The Autumn Green Metallic color of the test vehicle was surprisingly appealing, complementing the dark gray cladding. The Outback's exterior design varied across trims, with tasteful chrome accents on the Touring trim. Inside, the top-trim Touring XT impressed with its Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a level of luxury unexpected from Subaru. The interior space was well-utilized, providing comfort and practicality, with different trims offering varying levels of upholstery and features.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust 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, it offered a range of driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. Despite its power, the Navigator's ride quality was inconsistent, with the Reserve trim's 22-inch wheels contributing to a truck-like ride over smaller bumps. The Excite mode improved handling on winding roads but at the cost of fuel efficiency, averaging 15.6 mpg during testing.

The 2024 Subaru Outback, true to its brand, featured a "Boxer" engine. The Touring XT trim came with a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This setup improved towing capacity to 3,500 lbs and was paired with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a Lineartronic CVT. The turbo engine provided adequate power, and the CVT mimicked the feel of an eight-speed transmission. The Outback's ride was comfortable, aided by its suspension and reasonably sized wheels, making it a suitable choice for both on-road and off-road adventures.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across three rows and a generous cargo area. The test vehicle featured Lincoln’s 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats, providing heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the multitude of adjustments proved challenging to perfect. Storage was ample, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. For those needing more cargo space, the extended-length Navigator L model offered significantly more room behind the third-row seat.

The 2024 Subaru Outback, despite its sleeker design, did not compromise on interior space. It offered more headroom and legroom compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Outback's feature availability was impressive, with dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a hands-free power liftgate available on higher trims. The raised roof rails with retractable cross bars added to its practicality.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a range of digital displays, including a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sync 4 system offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a navigation system and Alexa Built-in. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided exceptional sound quality. However, the wireless smartphone charger tended to overheat devices, and the rear-seat Lincoln Play infotainment system was largely ignored by passengers.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered a mix of old-school and modern technology. The top-trim Touring featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with some hard buttons for essential functions. Wi-Fi capability and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system were available on most trims. The inclusion of both USB-C and USB-A ports ensured compatibility with various devices.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and BlueCruise hands-free driving assist. However, BlueCruise struggled with certain driving conditions and required frequent driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies was standard, with features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency steering. The Touring trim added a wide-angle camera and a driver-attention monitor, enhancing safety for cyclists and pedestrians.