2023 Nissan Ariya vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Nissan Ariya showcased a modern and striking design, characterized by its smooth, oval shape and minimal use of creases and angles. Its front featured thin LED headlights and a black space mimicking Nissan's "V-Motion" design, while the rear boasted a thin taillight spanning the width of the vehicle. Inside, the Ariya impressed with its beautiful craftsmanship, dual 12-inch monitors, and illuminated haptic buttons. The interior felt open and airy, thanks to the absence of a transmission tunnel, although the armrests' differing heights were a minor discomfort.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator made subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end, however, received mixed reviews due to its Audi-esque grille. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln's Constellation instrumentation and a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen. The Navigator continued to offer a spacious and comfortable interior, with heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, and a roomy third row.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya offered a range of trims with varying power outputs. The base Engage FWD model featured a 63-kWh battery and a 160-kW motor, delivering 214 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The Evolve e-4ORCE added a second motor for a total of 335 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Platinum+ e-4ORCE boasted 389 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Ariya's performance was commendable, with quick steering and well-managed body roll. The AWD version accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, while the FWD model offered a range of approximately 350 kilometres.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. It offered impressive towing capacity, ranging from 3,674 to 3,765 kilograms. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, equipped with Road Preview, provided a smooth ride, even on imperfect pavement. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel, and the SUV handled snow and mud with ease. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres, with the test vehicle averaging 12.6 L/100 km.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya benefited from its ground-up EV architecture, offering a spacious interior with ample legroom for both front and rear passengers. However, headroom in the back was slightly compromised by the large moonroof. Cargo space measured 1,670 litres behind the front seats, comparable to other electric crossovers. The Ariya featured a powered bin under the centre stack and a power-adjustable centre console, enhancing its practicality.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its exceptionally comfortable front seats, offering 30-way power adjustment and memory function. The second-row captain's chairs were newly massaging, heated, and ventilated, while the third row remained roomy and supportive. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with up to 2,925 litres of cargo volume in the standard model and 3,403 litres in the long-wheelbase version.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya was equipped with dual 12-inch displays, providing crisp and bright visuals. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, while Android Auto required a wired connection. The Ariya also featured Alexa compatibility, allowing seamless integration with smart home devices. The infotainment system was user-friendly and modern, enhancing the overall tech-forward experience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received a significant tech upgrade with the new Sync 4 infotainment system and a 13.2-inch touchscreen. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, and offered a user-friendly interface. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered an exceptional listening experience.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya came equipped with ProPilot Assist, offering advanced driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. However, it had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

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 hands-free driving on approved highways, although driver attention was still required.