2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a departure from its predecessors, which closely resembled the Ford Expedition. 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 evident in its rectilinear shapes, body-colour grille, and subtle chrome accents. The Pristine White model, with its black wheels and illuminated Lincoln logo, was particularly striking. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven colour palettes and modern design elements, such as a floating centre console and minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were of high quality, and the Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, providing a luxurious experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood, reminiscent of the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro elements, the Defender was a thoroughly modern design with rounded corners and recessed LED headlights. The interior was spacious and ergonomic, offering more headroom and legroom than its predecessor. The rugged character was maintained with bare metal and exposed screws, while the mix of leather and suede upholstery added a practical touch. The Defender's design allowed for off-road capability without compromising on-road comfort, making it a versatile choice for everyday driving.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, provided impressive acceleration and responsiveness. The Navigator's towing capacity was substantial at 3,765 kilograms. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with an average consumption of 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The suspension, while equipped with adaptive dampers, lacked the refinement of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Despite some shortcomings in steering and braking precision, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power delivery.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid, and a new V8 engine. The V8, producing 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque, delivered exhilarating performance, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.2 seconds. The Defender's suspension absorbed bumps effectively, and its boxy shape was surprisingly resistant to crosswinds. Off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like a 4WD system with low range and the optional Terrain Response 2 system. The Defender's towing capacity was 3,500 kilograms, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, accommodating up to eight passengers. The boxy design contributed to generous cargo space, with 546 litres behind the third row, 1,627 litres behind the second, and 2,925 litres in total. The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. However, some features, like electrically reclining second-row seats, were absent. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, providing excellent visibility. Parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size, despite the presence of 360-degree cameras.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender provided versatile seating options, with the two-door Defender 90 offering 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats. The four-door Defender 110 was available in two-row and three-row configurations, with cargo space ranging from 160 litres to 1,875 litres, depending on the seat arrangement. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large centre-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. The Defender also offered exterior cargo solutions, such as a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes, enhancing its practicality for outdoor adventures.

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

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display. The Defender's technology package was comprehensive, enhancing both on-road and off-road experiences.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating 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 and adaptive cruise control, though the latter lacked advanced lane-keeping capabilities.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist technologies such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. Safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration were not available for the Defender, which was common for luxury vehicles.