2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

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, the Navigator distinguished itself with unique design features, including a distinct turn signal stalk. Its elegance and understated style were impressive, especially for a vehicle of its size. The Navigator's exterior was characterized by simple rectilinear shapes, a body-colour grille, and a few chrome accents, creating a classy appearance. The Pristine White model, with its white-painted grille and black wheels, was particularly striking during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator offered a modern and muted interior with seven colour palettes, including the Slate Gray of the test vehicle. The wood trim, push-button gear selector, and floating centre console added to its refined feel. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 different ways, provided exceptional comfort, making the Navigator's interior one of the most luxurious in its class.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid embraced a bold and dramatic design, setting it apart from its predecessors. The Tucson featured sharp, angular cues across its fascia and sides, giving it a distinctive and futuristic look. The grille seamlessly integrated with the LED headlights and running lights, creating a unique visual identity. The Tucson's design was a departure from the more conservative styling of previous models, taking a risk that could either pay off or not. The interior of the Tucson was open and airy, with a centre console that felt bulkier than necessary. The Ultimate trim offered ambient lighting, adding a touch of flair to the cabin. The Tucson's design was a bold statement, and while it may not have appealed to everyone, it certainly stood out in its segment.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a remarkable twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor. With 3.5 litres of displacement, it delivered an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided the Navigator with a sprightly performance, accompanied by a satisfying intake snarl and turbo whoosh. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD) in Canada, the Navigator responded swiftly and smoothly. Its towing capacity was substantial, reaching 3,765 kilograms (8,300 pounds). 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's adaptive dampers were standard, its suspension felt less refined compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering and brakes lacked the precision and control found in the Escalade, but the Navigator's overall refinement and power made it a compelling choice for highway driving.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, on the other hand, offered a more efficient and responsive performance. The hybrid model featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor, producing a total of 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This setup made the Tucson Hybrid noticeably quicker than its gas-powered counterpart. The six-speed automatic transmission managed the power delivery effectively, and the steering was responsive and direct. The Tucson's suspension excelled at absorbing road imperfections, providing a balanced and comfortable ride. In terms of fuel efficiency, the Tucson Hybrid achieved impressive numbers, with a combined rating of 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres. For those seeking even greater efficiency, the plug-in hybrid variant offered a 13.8 kWh battery and an all-electric range of 53 kilometres, with a rating of 2.9 Le/100 km.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a spacious interior, akin to a small bedroom, with ample room for six adults. While it was technically a seven-passenger SUV, the third row's middle seat was best suited for children. The second row featured manually reclining and tilting captain's chairs, with an optional bench for a total of eight passengers. The Navigator's boxy shape contributed to its generous cargo space, offering 546 litres behind the third row, 1,627 litres behind the second, and a total of 2,925 litres. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more storage capacity. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, adding convenience when loading cargo. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage programs. However, parking the Navigator was challenging due to its size, despite the assistance of 360-degree cameras.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, despite its larger footprint, didn't appear overly large. It offered impressive cargo space, with 1,097 litres in the trunk and 2,108 litres with the rear seats folded down. The Tucson's cargo floor featured a dual-level system, allowing for a flat loading floor or maximizing space. The interior provided excellent front and rear legroom, with reclining rear seats for added comfort. The Ultimate trim's ambient lighting added a touch of elegance to the cabin. The Tucson's design prioritized practicality and functionality, making it a versatile choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's technology, while functional, felt somewhat outdated compared to newer competitors. Its 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system appeared small, especially when compared to the advanced displays in vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator's instrument panel lacked the ability to display full-screen navigation maps or different designs. While it offered Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio, it couldn't wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system was good but not exceptional. However, the Navigator's software was intuitive, with a unique interface that set it apart from Ford's systems. Voice recognition was fast and accurate, and the vehicle offered wireless device charging and smartphone ignition key functionality. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connectivity options.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the Ultimate trim, which looked impressive when running native software. However, when using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, the screen utilized only about 8 inches of space, requiring a wired connection. The infotainment and HVAC controls were touch-capacitive buttons, which could be frustrating to use. Fortunately, steering-wheel controls provided an alternative for managing infotainment commands. The Tucson offered ample USB ports, including two for rear-seat passengers, and the Ultimate trim came with a Bose premium audio system. While the technology had its quirks, the Tucson provided a well-rounded and modern tech experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance, where it received four stars for 4WD models. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. While knee airbags were not offered, the Navigator featured optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row, a rare safety feature aimed at reducing chest injuries. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, cyclist detection, a driver-attention monitor, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, and rear occupant alert. Upgrading to the Preferred trim added blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and safe-exit warning. The Ultimate trim offered additional features such as a surround-view monitor, highway-driving assist, blind-spot view monitor, and remote smart park assist. The blind-spot view monitor displayed a video feed of the Tucson's blind spots on the driver information display, enhancing safety. While the remote smart park assist was more of a novelty, it showcased Hyundai's innovative approach to safety technology. The Tucson had not yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but it received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.