2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a testament to luxury and elegance, shedding its past resemblance to the Ford Expedition. While it shared some structural elements with the Expedition, the Navigator stood out with its unique design and luxurious features. Its imposing presence was accentuated by simple rectilinear shapes, a body-colour grille, and sweeping LED lights, all contributing to its understated elegance. The interior was equally impressive, offering a choice of seven colour palettes and a modern, minimalist design. The materials used were of high quality, and the Perfect Position seats provided unparalleled comfort with 30 different adjustments. Despite its size, the Navigator managed to maintain a sense of refinement and luxury that was hard to match.

In contrast, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander embraced a bold design with its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept. The Outlander offered a range of trims, each with distinct features, and came standard with all-wheel drive. The GT Premium trim, in particular, boasted luxurious touches like premium leather, a head-up display, and a premium sound system. The interior design was minimalist, with black accents and gloss black trim, though some plastics reminded occupants of its place in the SUV hierarchy. Despite this, the Outlander managed to avoid the use of obviously inexpensive materials, maintaining a sense of quality throughout.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a formidable 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 the Navigator with impressive acceleration and a smooth driving experience. Its towing capacity was a substantial 3,765 kilograms, making it a capable choice for those needing to haul heavy loads. However, its fuel efficiency was less than stellar, averaging 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The Navigator's adaptive dampers offered a decent ride, though it lacked the sophistication of some competitors' suspension systems. Despite some shortcomings in steering and braking feel, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power delivery.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine, coupled with a continuously variable transmission and Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control system, provided adequate performance for urban and suburban driving. However, the Outlander struggled with acceleration on highways and during overtaking manoeuvres. Its steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, transmitting road imperfections into the cabin. Despite these challenges, the Outlander managed a respectable fuel consumption of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly missing its official rating.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious interior, capable of accommodating six adults comfortably. Its boxy shape contributed to generous cargo space, with 546 litres behind the third row and up to 2,925 litres in total. The Navigator's second-row seats were heated and featured a three-zone climate control system, though they lacked some of the advanced features found in competitors. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage functions. Visibility was excellent, though parking could be challenging due to its size.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats and a well-designed interior. The GT and GT Premium trims offered a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. The rear seats provided ample space for adults, and the third-row seat, while cramped, was suitable for children. Cargo capacity was limited with the third row in use, but folding it down revealed 948 litres of space, expanding to 2,256 litres with the second row folded. However, the panoramic sunroof slightly reduced maximum cargo capacity.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which, while intuitive, felt outdated compared to newer systems. It lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it offered wireless device charging and a rear entertainment system. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided good sound quality, and the software interface was user-friendly, albeit slightly slow.

In contrast, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander impressed with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a large, detailed head-up display. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and a 10-speaker Bose audio system, delivering excellent sound quality. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with accuracy while driving, likely due to road noise.

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 and blind-spot monitoring, though adaptive cruise control was optional.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with some headlight ratings affecting earlier models. It featured a comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assist technologies, including forward collision mitigation and blind-spot warning. The driver-assist system, similar to Nissan's ProPilot Assist, provided smooth and accurate assistance.