2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a standout in its class, shedding its past resemblance to the Ford Expedition and establishing a unique identity. Its design was marked by elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a large SUV. The Navigator's exterior featured simple rectilinear shapes, with a body-color grille, windows, and headlights, complemented by chrome accents. The Pristine White model, with its black wheels and illuminated Lincoln logo, was particularly striking during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven color palettes and attention to finer details, such as the layered wood trim and minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were of high quality, and the Black Label trims offered even more luxurious textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 different ways, added to the Navigator's appeal, making it one of the most comfortable large SUVs available.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a familiar design. The Passport's new styling aimed to give it a tougher look, with a nose similar to the Ridgeline's. The TrailSport trim, introduced in 2022, added off-road appeal with standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim. The SUV offered ample storage and cargo space, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. Overall, the Passport was a practical and comfortable choice for those seeking a midsize SUV with off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a remarkable twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided the Navigator with impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The Navigator's towing capacity was substantial, with 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens, consistent with the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers offered a decent ride, but it lacked the refinement of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Despite some shortcomings in steering and braking feel, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power, making it a compelling choice for long-distance travel.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport's fuel economy was respectable, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for FWD models and 21 mpg for AWD models. The TrailSport trim, equipped with Honda's i-VTM4 AWD system, offered mechanical torque vectoring and could deliver up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel. While the Passport's off-road capabilities were limited, it excelled on paved roads, offering satisfying acceleration, a firm ride, and athletic handling. The steering was responsive, and the expansive glass provided excellent visibility. However, the brakes could become less confidence-inspiring during extended downhill driving. Overall, the Passport was a well-rounded SUV for everyday driving.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious interior, accommodating up to eight passengers with its optional bench seat. The boxy design contributed to generous cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second, and 103 cubic feet in total. The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system, although it lacked some advanced features found in German competitors. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking could be challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2022 Honda Passport provided easy access with its large doors and low step-in height. The interior featured comfortable seats with adjustable armrests and standard leather upholstery. The Passport Elite trim added ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The triple-zone automatic climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers. The Passport's interior offered ample storage, including a large center console and door panel shelving. Cargo space was generous, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down. The Passport's practicality and comfort made it a user-friendly SUV.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's technology felt somewhat dated, with a 10-inch touchscreen that seemed small compared to newer competitors. While the software was intuitive, it lacked features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. However, the Navigator offered useful features like onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connectivity options. Despite its simplicity, the Navigator's technology was functional and user-friendly.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system met basic modern standards, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Passport Elite featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The system included shortcut buttons and a volume knob, but lacked a tuning knob. During testing, Apple CarPlay was preferred over the Passport's navigation system due to its ease of use. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the Passport's technology was not particularly advanced, which could be a positive for some users.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, except for rollover resistance, where it earned four stars for 4WD models and three stars for RWD models. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not rated the Navigator. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's lane-keeping capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2022 Honda Passport came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Passport also had a rear-seat reminder and seatbelt reminder system. However, some Honda Sensing features, like lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist, were less refined and could be intrusive. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in a frontal collision and rollover resistance, where it earned four stars. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.