Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and a forward-leaning grille with laser-etched knurling. It featured 20-inch wheels as standard, with 22-inch wheels available on higher trims, and an acrylic glass covering on the wheel centre caps to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. The interior shared styling cues with the Wagoneer but boasted higher-quality materials and more convenience features, such as 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional Palermo leather.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator maintained its position as Lincoln’s flagship SUV, offering a luxurious and spacious interior. Despite lacking significant updates since its 2018 redesign, the Navigator continued to impress with its upscale cabin, featuring real wood trim panels and chrome accents. The triple-black Navigator Reserve model, equipped with the Monochromatic Package, showcased black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim. The interior was highlighted by ambient lighting from the 201A package, adding contrast and character. However, some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the overall luxury feel. The Navigator’s cabin was designed for comfort, with Lincoln’s 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats, ensuring a comfortable ride for all passengers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty 2,900-kilogram weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer was capable of tackling off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities. The vehicle’s quiet cabin and air suspension provided a comfortable ride, but its handling felt ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine was mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The Navigator offered five drive modes, including an optional Hill Climb mode with the towing package. The adaptive damping suspension, featuring Road Preview, aimed to enhance ride quality, but the Navigator’s ride was often harsh over smaller bumps and floated over larger dips. In Excite mode, the suspension stiffened, improving ride quality and performance, but at the cost of fuel efficiency. The Navigator’s size posed challenges in urban environments, and its brakes struggled with the vehicle’s 2,700-kilogram curb weight during mountain descents.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than its competitors, although front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. Its maximum towing capacity was 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to the Grand Wagoneer’s additional weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering roomy seats across all three rows and an available extended body style for increased cargo capacity. The Navigator’s 30-way Perfect Position front seats provided heating, ventilation, and massage functions, although their numerous adjustments could be overwhelming. The second-row captain’s chairs offered a pass-through to the third row, which accommodated taller adults comfortably. The Navigator’s storage solutions included a large tray under the centre console and smaller compartments for third-row passengers. The long-wheelbase Navigator L model provided significantly more cargo space, with 971 litres behind the third row and 3,403 litres with all seats folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. The infotainment system included a second screen for seat massagers and an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. The Uconnect 5 system, with an Android-based operating system, supported over-the-air updates but was occasionally slow to respond. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a 360-degree camera system and optional rear-seat entertainment.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator boasted a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system. The Sync 4 system included Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a navigation system with voice recognition. The Navigator’s wireless smartphone charger was less effective, overheating devices. The digital assistant performed well, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality. The Lincoln Way app and Phone As A Key technology allowed for digital key access, while rear-seat passengers had access to Lincoln Play touchscreens.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with plans for a future hands-free version.

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 assist system for designated Hands-Free Blue Zones. BlueCruise required regular driver intervention, particularly in challenging driving conditions. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.