2022 Porsche Macan vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a testament to luxury and elegance, shedding its past resemblance to the Ford Expedition. With a design that exuded sophistication, the Navigator stood out with 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, minimalist design. The Slate Gray interior of the test model highlighted the attention to detail, with layered wood trim and a floating centre console. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 ways, added to the opulence, making the Navigator a formidable contender in the luxury SUV market.

In contrast, the 2022 Porsche Macan maintained its sporty and athletic appeal, with a design that had evolved gracefully since its introduction. The Macan S test vehicle, adorned in Volcano Gray with 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, showcased Porsche's commitment to performance aesthetics. Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, featuring a flat dashboard and a centre console with haptic touch controls. The red leather and gloss black trim added a touch of sportiness, while the new steering wheel design, though not entirely comfortable, was a nod to the 911 sports car. Despite its sporty nature, the Macan offered a comfortable ride, though rear-seat space was limited compared to the Navigator.

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 4WD in Canada, provided the Navigator with impressive acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,765 kilograms. However, its fuel efficiency was less than stellar, 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. Despite this, the Navigator excelled on highways, offering a plush and quiet ride, with paddle shifters adding a touch of sportiness.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, particularly the Macan S model, was equipped with a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with Porsche's seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and AWD system, allowed the Macan S to accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. The Macan's steering and suspension were re-tuned for improved handling, and the test vehicle featured optional performance upgrades like Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and Porsche Surface Coated Brakes. The Macan S delivered an exhilarating driving experience, with precise handling and impressive grip, though its fuel consumption was slightly higher than expected at 13.0 L/100 km.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious interior, akin to a small bedroom, accommodating up to eight passengers with its optional bench seating. The boxy design contributed to its generous cargo space, with 546 litres behind the third row and up to 2,925 litres in total. The Navigator Reserve model featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system, though it lacked some of the advanced features found in German competitors. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage programs, enhancing the overall driving experience. However, parking the Navigator was challenging due to its size, despite the assistance of 360-degree cameras.

In comparison, the 2022 Porsche Macan prioritized driver and front passenger comfort, with optional 14-way power-adjustable seats offering heating and ventilation. The rear seats, while supportive, were cramped, especially for taller passengers. The Macan's new centre console design provided additional storage space, though it was still limited. Cargo capacity was 488 litres behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,503 litres with the seats folded. The redesigned steering wheel, though inspired by the 911, was not entirely comfortable for long drives. The Macan's interior, while sporty and upscale, lacked the spaciousness of the Navigator.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which, while intuitive, felt outdated compared to competitors. It offered Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, but lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Navigator's software was user-friendly, with fast voice recognition, but it did not support wireless updates. Despite these limitations, the Navigator included wireless device charging and a rear entertainment system with Roku streaming, providing a satisfactory tech experience.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came equipped with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, known as Porsche Communication Management (PCM). This system included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, and a navigation system, with options for a Bose or Burmester audio system. The user interface was generally intuitive, though some icons were confusing. Voice recognition was less reliable compared to competitors, but the Macan's physical controls for volume and climate settings minimized the need for screen interaction. Overall, the Macan's tech offerings were modern and functional, though not as advanced as some rivals.

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, with optional adaptive cruise control. However, the Navigator lacked knee airbags and advanced self-steering capabilities found in some competitors.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included standard lane-departure warning and a reversing camera, with optional features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The test vehicle included most of these technologies, which performed reliably. The Macan also offered advanced parking assistance features, though it lacked more sophisticated driving assistance systems available in the larger Porsche Cayenne. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published safety ratings for the Macan.