2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a testament to luxury and elegance, standing apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Its design was characterized by simple rectilinear shapes, a body-colour grille, and a few chrome accents, all contributing to a classy appearance. The Pristine White model, with its black wheels and illuminated Lincoln logo, was particularly striking during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven colour palettes and modern, muted design. The Slate Gray interior of the test model showcased a taste for finer details, with layered wood trim and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 different ways, added to the luxurious feel, making the Navigator a standout in its class.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of the traditional station wagon, offering a rugged, Jeep-like appearance. It featured a unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, with a matte black hood decal reducing glare. The Outback Wilderness also boasted a new roof rack system, supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery. While ventilated seats were absent, heated seats were standard, and the interior was completed with Gunmetal Gray trim and Anodized Copper accents. The Outback Wilderness injected personality into the Outback's styling, appealing to those seeking adventure.

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 4WD in Canada, provided a sprightly performance for such a large vehicle. The Navigator's towing capacity was impressive at 3,765 kilograms, though its fuel efficiency was less so, averaging 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined. While the adaptive dampers were standard, the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors, and the steering and brakes lacked the precision found in the Cadillac Escalade. However, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement, with a quiet cabin and powerful low-end thrust.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with a CVT, provided adequate power for the midsize SUV, with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with an average of 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The Outback Wilderness's standout features included its 23 cm ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and dual function X-Mode traction system, making it the most capable Outback ever. While the CVT's droning detracted from the driving experience, the Wilderness excelled off-road, handling challenging terrain with ease.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, accommodating up to eight passengers with its boxy design. Cargo space was generous, with 546 litres behind the third row and up to 2,925 litres in total. The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system, though it lacked some features offered by German competitors. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, providing excellent visibility. However, parking was challenging due to its size, despite the 360-degree cameras.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The interior offered generous head and legroom, with heated front and rear seats. The cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack, supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system felt outdated compared to competitors, lacking features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the software was intuitive, and voice recognition was fast and accurate. The Navigator also offered wireless device charging and a rear entertainment system with Roku media streaming.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated climate control. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for some functions, most controls required the touchscreen. Voice recognition technology was less responsive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered superior functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other Outback trims.

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 lane-keep assist, with optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. It also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The Outback Wilderness's EyeSight technology was effective, maintaining safe distances and keeping the vehicle centred in its lane. The standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.