2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group, showcased a blend of near-luxury and innovative design. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture platform, the XC60 shared its elegant, tailored crossover design with other Volvo models. Its exterior featured short overhangs, an upright grille with the iconic iron mark logo, and distinctive Thor’s hammer-shaped LED headlights. The interior was a testament to Scandinavian design, with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a nod to Volvo's early adoption of such technology, and the cabin's details, like the elegant HVAC vents, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end received a restyled grille, which some felt lacked the elegance of its predecessor. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring the new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The updated Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and the Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV were notable upgrades. The Navigator continued to offer a spacious and comfortable interior, with the long-wheelbase version providing even more cargo space.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 model increased output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 models, including the Polestar Engineered variant, added an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with the Polestar version reaching 415 hp. The XC60's plug-in hybrid capability allowed for up to 31 kilometres of electric-only driving. Fuel consumption ranged from 11.1 L/100 km city to 9.3 L/100 km combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 3,674 to 3,765 kilograms, depending on configuration. The SUV featured an updated adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview, enhancing ride quality. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 L/100 km combined, with the Navigator averaging 12.6 L/100 km during testing.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in comfort and practicality, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system well-suited for winter conditions. The interior offered smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, while cargo space measured 613 litres behind the rear seats and 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded. The XC60's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator provided exceptional comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats and available massaging, heated, and ventilated second-row captain's chairs. The third-row seat remained spacious and comfortable, thanks to the independent rear suspension. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with the long-wheelbase version providing even more room. Cargo capacity ranged from 546 litres behind the third row to 2,925 litres with the second row folded, with the Navigator L offering even more space.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. While it required a learning curve, it offered intuitive controls once mastered. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with an optional Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering improved functionality and user-friendliness. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with voice recognition and over-the-air updates. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, now with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to popular streaming services. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 boasted a strong safety heritage, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system. The XC60's top speed was limited to 180 km/h for safety.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous driving technology. The surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways, though driver attention was still required. These systems represented steps toward fully autonomous driving.