2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past boxy designs. It presented a purposeful yet understated look, with a stout front end and an assertive grille that avoided being overly flashy. The recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, and the overall rectilinear shape was far from the toaster-like designs of the 1980s and 90s. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding richness and depth. Inside, the XC90 boasted an elegant design with two-tone leather steering, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a clean and beautiful look.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator maintained its imposing presence with a triple-black Reserve model. The exterior featured black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim, though keeping it clean was a challenge. Inside, the Navigator's cabin was all black with real wood trim panels and chrome accents. The ambient lighting added character at night, but the chrome plastic on the switchgear sometimes failed to convey luxury. The Navigator's interior was upscale, but the overall look and feel were less refined compared to the XC90.

For 2023, Volvo replaced its older turbocharged engines with new B5 and B6 engines featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, similar to the T6, used a supercharger and turbo to generate 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The XC90 delivered a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration and a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle handled well in corners and provided a quiet ride, thanks to excellent insulation. The brakes were solid, and the fuel-saving auto stop-start technology was almost imperceptible.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came with 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 optional Hill Climb mode. The adaptive damping suspension with Road Preview aimed to improve ride quality, but the Navigator's ride was inconsistent, feeling truck-like over smaller bumps and floating over larger ones. In Excite mode, the suspension stiffened, improving handling but reducing fuel efficiency. The Navigator felt smaller on mountain roads, with excellent visibility and impressive grip, but the steering was slow and lifeless, and the brakes struggled with the SUV's nearly three-ton weight.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a peaceful and pleasant front-seat experience, but Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. There was limited cubby space for smaller items, and the lack of a dedicated cell phone space was inconvenient. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard seven-passenger seating. Cargo space was decent, with 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, it fell short compared to competitors like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for more cargo space. Power-deploying running boards made entry and exit easier, and the 30-way Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage ensured comfort. The second-row captain’s chairs provided a pass-through to the third row, where even taller adults could sit comfortably. Storage space was generous, with large trays and smaller compartments throughout the cabin. The extended-length Navigator L model offered 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 with all seats folded.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first standard infotainment system of its kind. Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant were standard, with natural-language recognition enhancing the user experience. However, many key functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, making it challenging to adjust features like the heated steering wheel and driver’s seat position.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator included a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a widescreen head-up display, and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system. The Sync 4 system offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services, a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition, and Alexa Built-in. Pairing an iPhone and using CarPlay was seamless, but the wireless smartphone charger overheated the phone. The digital assistant performed well, accurately responding to commands. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality, and the Lincoln Way app allowed for digital key access. However, the rear-seat entertainment system was underutilized by teenagers, who preferred their smartphones.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance and lane position from a standstill to highway speeds.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) through the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. Notable features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system for designated Hands-Free Blue Zones. However, BlueCruise struggled with curves, mixed pavement surfaces, and construction zones, requiring 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 full crashworthiness assessment was available.