2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

In Canada, the 2023 Land Rover Defender was a popular choice, outselling the Land Rover Discovery by a significant margin. Despite being similar in size and price, the Defender's boxy design reminiscent of the old LR4 appealed more to customers than the Discovery's Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail, all of which contributed to its classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful accents like the dome, faux-metal step plates, and skylights paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The vehicle was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering a variety of choices for consumers.

Inside, the Defender focused on function and durability, with most of the interior coated in rubbers and plastics designed to resist moisture and stains. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, with exposed screws and plain air vents, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character. While the build quality was excellent, the Defender's price tag, especially for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, seemed excessive to some. However, its continued strong sales in Canada indicated that many consumers appreciated its unique charm.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, meanwhile, maintained its position as a top-tier full-size SUV, offering a blend of comfort, utility, and luxury. The Navigator Reserve model, the only trim available in Canada, came with standard four-wheel drive and featured a triple-black exterior with the Monochromatic Package, adding black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim. The interior was upscale, with real wood trim panels and chrome accents, although some chrome plastic switchgear failed to convey luxury. The Navigator's cabin was spacious, with power-deploying running boards for easy access and 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs provided a pass-through to the third-row seat, which offered ample headroom and legroom for adults.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with its impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle almost any terrain, although most owners likely didn't use its full capabilities. On-road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided ample power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged four-cylinder engine was less powerful at 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning the worst ratings.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD drivetrain. It offered five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an optional Hill Climb mode. The Navigator's ride quality was inconsistent, with the 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires contributing to a truck-like ride over smaller bumps. Excite mode improved the ride by stiffening the suspension and quickening the powertrain's response, but it negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size was a liability in urban environments, making parking and navigating tight spaces challenging.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered unmatched seating configurations, with the two-door 90 model seating six with a jump seat, and the 110 and 130 models offering optional third rows. The 130 model could seat up to eight passengers, with features like a separate moonroof, air vents, and USB ports for rear passengers. Cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 2,180 litres with the third row and second row folded. The Defender also offered a range of off-road accessories, including a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for increased cargo space. The Navigator L model provided more room behind the third-row seat, with 971 litres compared to the standard model's 546 litres. The Navigator's interior featured generous storage space, with a large tray under the centre console and smaller ones for third-row passengers. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats offered numerous adjustments, although finding the perfect setting could be challenging.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro, with a standard 10-inch screen and an optional 11.4-inch screen. Both screens were quick and easy to operate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a voice assistant, and connected apps. The Defender also offered heated front seats, keyless entry, and heated power-folding mirrors. Higher trims added features like air suspension, a locking rear differential, and a head-up display.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator boasted a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an available widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 infotainment system included Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition. The Navigator's digital assistant performed well, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality. The Lincoln Play system offered rear-seat entertainment, although it was largely ignored by passengers in favour of personal devices.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, praised for its solid structure. It came with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with the Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. It also featured BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system for designated highways. However, BlueCruise struggled with certain driving conditions and required driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.