2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, embodying a stately presence just shy of 5 metres in length. In Canada, the standard 20-inch wheels were upgraded to 22-inch alloy wheels in the Prestige trim. The rear design echoed the quad lamp look with four-part taillamps above the dual exhaust, and the hands-free liftgate maintained a boxy design. The matte Brunswick Green paint added an elegant touch, complemented by the dark green quilted leather seats inside. The interior featured a split dash with thin horizontal air vents, metal and matte wood trim, and a centre console with three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The two-spoke steering wheel was distinct, though the 14.5-inch infotainment screen seemed awkwardly placed atop the dash. Despite this minor annoyance, the spacious and luxurious interior was a pleasant environment.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, last redesigned in 2018 and refreshed for 2022, continued into 2023 without significant updates. As Lincoln's largest SUV, it topped the lineup above the Corsair, Nautilus, and Aviator. The Canadian market offered the Navigator Reserve trim with standard four-wheel drive. Our test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve, included the Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim. Despite its Infinite Black colour being hard to maintain, the Monochromatic Package was also available in Pristine White or Ceramic Pearl. The Navigator featured a Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV, though it went unused by teenagers who preferred their iPhones. The Canadian MSRP reached $131,614, including destination charges and federal luxury tax. The interior, predominantly black with real wood trim and chrome accents, was upscale, though some chrome plastic switchgear lacked a luxury feel.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came standard with all-wheel drive and offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine or a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6. The four-cylinder produced 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the V6, featured in our test vehicle, delivered 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The GV80 was not particularly athletic or nimble, taking about five and a half seconds to reach 100 km/h, slower than some competitors. However, it excelled in highway driving, with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension, aided by a forward-facing camera, prepared for road roughness, and active noise cancellation ensured a quiet commute.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, the sole option, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 13.2 L/100 km in combined driving, but our testing loop averaged 15.0 L/100 km. Drivers could choose from five Lincoln Drive Modes, with an optional Hill Climb mode available with the towing package. The adaptive damping suspension included Road Preview, using the front camera to prepare for pavement changes. Normal mode was used most often, but the ride was not agreeable, with the Navigator riding like a truck over smaller bumps and floating over larger ones. Excite mode improved the ride by stiffening the suspension and quickening the powertrain, but it negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator felt smaller on mountain roads, with excellent visibility and impressive grip, though the steering was slow and lifeless, and the brakes struggled with the SUV's weight. In urban settings, the Navigator's size was a liability, making parking and navigation challenging.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with numerous features and luxury touches. In Canada, standard features included heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard mirrors. Our test vehicle featured ventilated front and rear seats with extensive adjustability and an Ergo driver's seat with inflatable pockets to reduce fatigue. The Nappa leather seats were sumptuous. A third row was optional, though legroom was limited to 76 centimetres, suitable only for children or less-favoured passengers. Genesis puddle lamps greeted the driver, and a proximity key unlocked the car, with a digital key available for those who preferred not to carry a fob. The standard tri-zone climate control and available 21-speaker Lexicon sound system enhanced comfort and entertainment. The GV80 offered substantial cargo space, with 988 litres behind the second row and 2,378 litres with the seats folded. Towing capacity was 2,720 kilograms with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator exemplified functionality with its spacious seats across three rows, available extended body style, and ample cargo area. Power-deploying running boards facilitated cabin access, and the test vehicle featured Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy, with a pass-through to the third row, where even taller adults found ample headroom and legroom. While the front seats were comfortable, the numerous adjustments proved challenging, requiring frequent fiddling to resolve minor irritations. Storage space was generous, with large trays and smaller compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator L model offered more cargo space, with 971 litres behind the third row, 2,075 litres behind the second row, and 3,403 litres behind the front seats.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, complemented by a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. The 3D effects seemed somewhat gimmicky, and the head-up display projected information into the driver's field of view. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach for touch use, and the dial, though tactile, was cumbersome for cycling through icons. The dial's top could detect handwriting for navigation and radio searches, but the menu structure was inconsistent, with a steep learning curve. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, though not wirelessly, but wireless charging, four USB ports, a 12-volt outlet, and a 110-volt outlet ensured devices stayed charged. The GV80's remote smart parking assist allowed the driver to maneuver the vehicle remotely, a unique feature for tight parking spaces.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, while not boasting about its screens, offered a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an available widescreen head-up display, and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system. The Sync 4 infotainment system included Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services with Wi-Fi hotspot access, a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition, and Alexa Built-in. Pairing an iPhone and using CarPlay was seamless, though the wireless charger overheated the phone. The digital assistant excelled in understanding commands and responding accurately. The test vehicle's 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided rich sound. The Lincoln Way app and Phone As A Key technology allowed owners to unlock, start, and drive the SUV with a digital key. Lincoln Play installed two touchscreens for rear passengers, though teenagers preferred their smartphones.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver’s aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Blind-Spot View Monitor system displayed a video feed of the blind spot in the digital gauge cluster, enhancing safety without neck craning. Highway Drive Assist used cameras, radar, navigation, and lane-keeping aids for hands-on/eyes-up driving on approved highways, with features like automatic lane changes and speed adjustments. However, it struggled with sun glare, causing lane ping-ponging. The NHTSA awarded the GV80 a full five-star overall safety rating, with five stars for side crashes and four stars for rollovers and frontal crashes. The IIHS rated it Good for crashworthiness and Superior for front crash prevention, though headlights and the LATCH system received Acceptable ratings.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured the Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. Unique ADAS included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system for designated Hands-Free Blue Zones. BlueCruise required driver attention and struggled with curves, mixed surfaces, and construction zones, lacking lane-change assist. It also reacted excessively to sudden lane intrusions, causing abrupt braking and suspension dive. The NHTSA provided a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating, but no full crashworthiness assessment was available from the NHTSA or IIHS.