2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

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 distinguished itself with unique design elements, including a distinct turn signal stalk. Its elegance and understated styling were evident in its rectilinear shapes, body-colour grille, and subtle chrome accents. The Pristine White model, with its white-painted grille and black wheels, exuded sophistication. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven colour palettes and modern design, featuring layered wood trim and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The Perfect Position seats offered unparalleled comfort with 30 adjustable settings, making the Navigator's interior feel luxurious and spacious.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, while sharing a frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, stood out with its unique styling elements. It featured a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and a forward-leaning grille with laser-etched knurling. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a new body-on-frame architecture, independent suspension, and weight-saving materials like an aluminum hood and doors. Inside, it offered high-end materials and convenience features, including 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim. The Grand Wagoneer's interior was further differentiated by seat controls placed high on the doors and a "Grand Wagoneer" badge on the dashboard.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a formidable twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, delivering 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 thrilling sound. The Navigator's towing capacity was substantial at 3,765 kilograms, although its fuel efficiency was less than stellar, averaging 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined. While the Navigator's adaptive dampers were standard, its suspension felt less refined compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Despite some shortcomings in steering and braking precision, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power delivery.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a robust 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds. The Grand Wagoneer came with standard four-wheel drive and the Quadra-Drive II system, offering multiple drive modes for various terrains. Its Quadra-Lift air suspension provided adjustable ride height for off-roading and improved aerodynamics on highways. Despite its impressive off-road capabilities, the Grand Wagoneer's ride was bouncy at higher speeds, and its steering lacked precision, making it feel ungainly compared to other luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, accommodating up to eight passengers with its optional second-row bench seat. Its boxy shape 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 featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system, although it lacked some advanced features found in German competitors. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage programs. However, parking the Navigator was challenging due to its size, despite the presence of 360-degree cameras.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer provided seating for seven or eight passengers, with more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than its rivals. It offered 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. However, its total cargo capacity of 2,667 litres was less than some competitors. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its additional weight. It featured a standard sunroof, four-zone climate control, and large storage bins. While the Grand Wagoneer's hood limited forward visibility, its standard 360-degree camera system helped mitigate this issue.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's infotainment system featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer systems. 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, sharing its interface with Ford vehicles, but it was slightly slow in response. The Navigator included wireless device charging and a rear entertainment system with Roku media streaming. Despite its simplicity, the Navigator's technology was functional and user-friendly.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasted a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones and offered a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had their own touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added additional screens. The Grand Wagoneer featured the Uconnect 5 system with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. While the screen response was slightly slow, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with four stars for rollover resistance. It offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row, a rare safety feature. 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 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Grand Wagoneer offered an Active Lane Management System, with plans for a hands-free version in the future.