2023 Nissan Ariya vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Nissan Ariya showcased a modern and striking design, standing out among top-tier electric vehicles with its innovative styling. Nissan avoided creases and angles, opting for an oval shape that gave the crossover a smooth, flowing appearance. The front featured thin LED headlights and a black space mimicking a traditional grille, while the rear had a thin taillight spanning its width. Inside, the Ariya boasted beautiful craftsmanship with minimal hard plastic, dual 12-inch monitors, and illuminated haptic buttons, creating a modern and airy cabin.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator made subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end received a restyled grille reminiscent of a 2006 Audi A4, which some felt reduced its elegance. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln’s Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system enhanced the tech experience, while the rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV provided ample entertainment options.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya offered a range of trims, starting with the Engage FWD, which had a 63-kWh battery and a 160-kW motor producing 214 horsepower. The Engage AWD added an additional motor for all-wheel drive, while the Engage+ AWD and other “+” trims featured an 87-kWh extended-range battery. The Venture+ FWD had a 178-kW motor making 238 horsepower, and the top-tier Platinum+ AWD boasted 389 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, accelerating from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds. The Ariya’s 87-kWh battery charged from 20% to 80% in 40 minutes on a 130-kW DC fast charger. The FWD Ariya averaged 3.5 miles per kWh, translating to over 300 miles of range, while the AWD version averaged 3.0 miles per kWh, equating to around 260 miles of range.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator’s towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview and a new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking response. The Navigator’s 4WD system, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and appropriate driving modes ensured it handled various terrains with ease. The SUV averaged 18.6 mpg during testing, slightly above the EPA’s combined rating of 18 mpg.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya’s ground-up EV architecture provided a spacious interior, with ample legroom for both front and rear passengers. The lack of a transmission tunnel contributed to the airy feel, although headroom in the back was slightly tight due to the sunroof. The Ariya offered 59 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Unique features included a powered bin under the center stack and an adjustable center console, enhancing storage and convenience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator’s interior featured exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massage, along with an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system. The third-row seats provided roomy accommodations, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with up to 103.3 cubic feet of cargo volume in the standard model and 120.2 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase version.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya employed dual 12-inch displays for driver information and infotainment, with a beautifully executed physical connection between the screens. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto were standard, along with a head-up display on all but the Engage trim. The Ariya’s tech-forward approach included Alexa compatibility, allowing users to control smart home devices and start the car using voice commands. The infotainment system combined plenty of features with an easy-to-use interface, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator’s new Sync 4 infotainment system featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering two data panels for simultaneous viewing of navigation and music details. Physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions were easy to use, with clear markings and a matte finish. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV provided access to popular streaming services, while the 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered sensational sound quality.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya expanded its tech-focused approach to safety with ProPilot Assist 2.0, offering hands-free driving capabilities and lane-change assist on the Empower+ and Platinum+ trims. All Ariya models included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a driver-attention monitor, and traffic-sign recognition. Crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln’s semi-autonomous hands-free driving technology, performed well on approved highways but required the driver’s attention. The Navigator’s safety features aimed to enhance driving confidence and convenience.