2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, with new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, alongside an updated Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination sequence. The SUV's front end was restyled, featuring a grille reminiscent of a 2006 Audi A4, which some felt detracted from its elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, highlighted by the Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system, with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, added to the vehicle's appeal, ensuring it remained competitive in the luxury SUV market.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered nine distinct trim levels, each with a blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering. Its blocky shape, wide grille, and round headlights were unmistakable, with the Base trim offering a primitive look and the Raptor showcasing a wide stance and massive tires. The Heritage Edition trim added nostalgic elements like a white grille and plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's interior maintained a rugged theme, with sealed switches and drain plugs for easy cleaning. While not as refined as typical SUVs, the Bronco's interior was designed for durability, with features like a grid-like mesh for attaching accessories and a heated steering wheel option.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 3,674 to 3,765 kilograms, depending on the configuration. The SUV's adaptive-damping suspension, with Road Preview technology, enhanced ride quality by preparing for road imperfections. The Navigator's electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel, and its four-wheel drive and ground clearance ensured confident handling in various conditions. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres, with the test drive averaging 12.6 L/100 km.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices: a 2.3-litre four-cylinder with 300 horsepower, a 2.7-litre V6 with 330 horsepower, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 in the Raptor, producing 418 horsepower. All engines came with a four-wheel drive system and a two-speed transfer case. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than typical SUVs but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler. Its high-riding dimensions required careful handling on curving roads, but the Bronco felt confident overall. The vehicle's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Trail Turn Assist and multiple camera views, making it a formidable off-road contender.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's interior offered exceptional comfort with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, adjustable in 30 ways. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing a luxurious experience. The third-row seat was spacious and comfortable, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator's cargo space was generous, with 546 litres behind the third row and up to 2,925 litres with seats folded. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more space, with 972 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 3,403 litres.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, especially in the four-door model. The two-door required some effort to access the rear seats, while the four-door offered easier entry. The Bronco featured practical storage solutions, like netted door pockets and a rubberized tray for phones. Cargo space in the two-door model was 634 litres, expanding to 1,481 litres with seats folded. The four-door offered 1,008 litres, increasing to 2,197 litres. The rear seats didn't fold flat, but the Bronco's roof mounting points allowed for overlanding setups. Removable fenders and doors added to its off-road appeal.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering improved functionality and ease of use. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with voice recognition capabilities. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system featured Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality, enhancing the overall entertainment experience.

The 2023 Ford Bronco incorporated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, with G.O.A.T. drive modes optimizing engine and suspension settings for various terrains. The vehicle featured multiple camera views for navigating tight spaces and Trail Turn Assist for sharp turns. The Bronco's infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Ford's SYNC 4 and FordPass Connect as standard. An available 12-inch display improved usability, while a wireless charging pad was optional.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways. While the system performed well, it required driver attention and intervention in certain situations, highlighting the need for human oversight.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received mixed safety ratings, with the four-door model earning four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and hill-start assist. Optional packages added features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. While the Bronco's safety features were effective, they were not as comprehensive as those in more conventional SUVs.