2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 presented a refreshed exterior with new LED headlights and taillights, redesigned bumpers, a revised grille, and a new rear liftgate. These updates aimed to enhance its premium appeal, especially in the Signature trim, which featured body-colour lower exterior trim. Inside, the CX-5 maintained its luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats offered improved comfort, addressing previous complaints about the seating. The CX-5's pricing ranged from $30,500 to $43,650, with the turbocharged engine available for those seeking more power.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, meanwhile, continued its reign as a full-size luxury SUV without significant updates. It remained the largest in Lincoln's lineup, offering a single trim level, the Navigator Reserve, with standard 4WD. The test vehicle featured a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim, though keeping it clean proved challenging. The interior boasted an all-black theme with real wood trim and chrome accents, complemented by ambient lighting. The Navigator's cabin exuded luxury, though some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the overall premium feel. The test vehicle's price reached $131,614, including destination charges and federal luxury tax.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered a base Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a revised 6-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.3 L/100 km in combined driving. For those seeking more power, the turbocharged engine delivered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium gas, with a slightly higher fuel consumption of 9.8 L/100 km. The CX-5's driving dynamics improved with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, providing a quieter and smoother ride with reduced body roll.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine generating 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 13.2 L/100 km, though it averaged 15.0 L/100 km during testing. The SUV offered five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite, with an adaptive damping suspension. However, the ride quality was inconsistent, with the Navigator feeling like a truck over smaller bumps. Excite mode improved handling but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size posed challenges in urban environments, with limited manoeuvrability in tight spaces.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints with new seats that provided better support and a sportier driving position. The interior featured leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the back seat remained snug, and the control layout was frustrating due to the lack of a touchscreen display. Cargo space was adequate, with 871 litres behind the rear seats and 1,680 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for increased cargo space. The test vehicle featured 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, though finding the perfect adjustment proved challenging. Storage space was generous, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator L model provided significantly more cargo space, with up to 3,403 litres available.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display and Bluetooth, though it lacked a touchscreen interface and natural voice recognition. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system on higher trims. The system required acclimation to the centre console controls, and the lack of advanced voice recognition was a drawback.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 system included Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition. The digital assistant performed well, understanding commands accurately. The test vehicle also had a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, providing excellent sound quality. However, the wireless smartphone charger caused the phone to overheat, leading to its discontinuation.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 came equipped with the i-Activsense package, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and more. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights and a surround-view camera system. The CX-5 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator included the Co-Pilot360 suite with features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system, was available but had limitations in certain conditions. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.