2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a departure from its predecessors, which often resembled dressed-up Ford Expeditions. While it shared some structural elements with the Expedition, such as side glass and the general shape of the rear seats, the Navigator stood out with its unique design and luxurious feel. It exuded elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton vehicle. The Navigator's styling was defined by simple rectilinear shapes, with a few chrome accents adding a touch of class. The interior was equally impressive, offering seven colour palettes and a modern, muted design. The materials were of high quality, and the Perfect Position seats provided unparalleled comfort with 30 different adjustments.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport adopted a more rugged appearance, closely resembling the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck. This similarity was due to the shared vehicle platform with the Ridgeline, Odyssey minivan, and Pilot SUV. The Passport's new nose design aimed to give it a tougher look, and the TrailSport trim added off-road appeal. While the TrailSport was more about aesthetics than capability, it did offer some off-road features like increased ground clearance and traction management modes. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a formidable twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada, provided impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The Navigator's towing capacity was substantial at 3,765 kilograms. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, averaging in the double digits, aligning with the estimated 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined rating. While the Navigator offered a plush highway ride, its handling and braking were not as refined as some competitors.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Passport's V6 was smooth and responsive, and it achieved a combined fuel efficiency of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing the Passport's handling on twisty roads. While the Passport was capable off-road, it was more suited for everyday driving, offering a firm and communicative ride. However, the brakes could become less confidence-inspiring during mountain descents.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious interior, accommodating up to eight passengers with its optional bench seating. The boxy design contributed to generous cargo space, with 546 litres behind the third row, 1,627 litres behind the second, and a total of 2,925 litres. The Navigator Reserve trim featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage functions. Visibility was excellent, but parking could be challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2022 Honda Passport provided easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated features. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim offered ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was spacious, with ample storage options and a generous cargo area measuring 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the seats folded. The Passport's practicality and comfort made it a convenient choice for daily use.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which felt outdated compared to newer models. While it offered Bluetooth and SiriusXM, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system was good but not exceptional. The software was intuitive, and voice recognition was accurate. The Navigator included wireless device charging and a rear entertainment system with Roku streaming.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system was user-friendly, but the navigation could be clunky. Wireless smartphone charging was standard in all but the base trim. While not technologically advanced, the Passport's system was functional and straightforward.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with four stars for rollover resistance. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included inflatable rear seat belts for the second row.

The 2022 Honda Passport came equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, some features, like lane-departure warning, were less refined. The Passport received five-star ratings in most NHTSA tests, with four stars for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated it highly, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.