2021 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular and athletic styling, reminiscent of its Charger and Challenger siblings. Despite its age, the Durango's design was refreshed for the 2021 model year, particularly evident in the high-performance SRT Hellcat model, which featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, and LED headlamps. The SUV offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colours, with a cabin that boasted a new instrument panel and the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior ranged from cloth to luxurious leather upholstery, with options for contrast stitching and unique seat belt colours, making the Durango a versatile choice for a wide range of buyers.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling updates, including new headlights, taillights, and a restyled front end. The SUV's interior continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring the new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The Navigator's Sync 4 infotainment system, with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, offered improved functionality and user-friendliness. The SUV's adaptive-damping suspension and electronic brake booster enhanced ride comfort and braking performance, while the Navigator's spacious interior and generous cargo capacity made it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of engine options, including a 3.6-litre V6, a 5.7-litre HEMI V8, a 392 HEMI V8, and a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8. The engines were paired with eight-speed automatic transmissions, with AWD standard in Canada. The V6 engine produced up to 295 horsepower, while the 5.7-litre V8 delivered 360 hp. The 392 HEMI V8 offered 475 hp, and the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the SRT Hellcat model boasted an impressive 710 hp. The Durango's performance was complemented by smooth shifts and responsive steering, though its chassis showed its age on rough roads. The SUV's towing capacity reached up to 8,700 pounds with the Tow N Go Package.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD in Canada. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,300 pounds, depending on configuration. The SUV's adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology provided a smooth ride, even on imperfect pavement. The Navigator's electronic brake booster improved braking feel and response, while its performance in snow and mud was aided by its 4WD system and ground clearance. The SUV's fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering comfortable seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. The front and second-row seats provided ample space for taller occupants, while the third row was more spacious than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, and its fit and finish had improved significantly over the years, contributing to its appeal as a versatile and athletic family SUV.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its exceptionally comfortable front seats, which were heated, ventilated, and offered 30-way power adjustments. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, ventilated, and available with a massaging function. The Navigator's third-row seat provided roomy accommodations, thanks to its independent rear suspension design. The SUV offered generous storage and cargo space, with the long-wheelbase Navigator L providing even more capacity. The Navigator's cargo volume ranged from 546 litres behind the third row to 2,925 litres with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 10.1-inch screen on higher trims, running the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The system offered faster performance, greater personalization, and connectivity options, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Durango's rear-seat entertainment system included a Blu-ray and DVD player with two 9-inch screens. The TomTom navigation system was user-friendly, though a head-up display was not available.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering improved functionality and user-friendliness. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with the ability to save user profiles. The Navigator's voice recognition system was improved, though not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system featured Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's safety features were limited compared to rivals, with a standard back-up camera and federally mandated passive safety features. Optional active safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The IIHS rated the Durango as Marginal for small overlap frontal impact, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star front crash and rollover rating.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The SUV also featured a standard surround-view camera system. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways. The system performed well within its operational limits, though drivers were required to remain attentive. These systems represented steps toward fully autonomous driving, emphasizing the importance of driver responsibility.