2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a significant departure from its predecessors, which often resembled dressed-up Ford Expeditions. While it shared some structural elements with the Expedition, the Navigator distinguished itself with unique design touches, including a distinctive turn signal stalk. The Navigator Reserve, priced at $92,000, exuded luxury and elegance, impressing even those accustomed to high-end brands like Mercedes and Range Rover. Its design theme focused on elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton vehicle. The Navigator featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and tasteful chrome accents. The Pristine White model with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The vehicle's light show upon unlocking or locking added a touch of sophistication.

Inside, the Navigator's interior was equally impressive, offering seven color palettes, with the Slate Gray option standing out. The wood trim, push-button gear selector, floating center console, and minimalist digital instrument panel showcased a taste for finer details. The materials used were of high quality, and panel gaps were tight. The Black Label trims elevated the luxury further with more textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 different ways, provided exceptional comfort. While a Range Rover might offer more sumptuousness, the Navigator's spaciousness and refinement made it a strong contender in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, retained its iconic Jeep design traditions while introducing a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L. Jeep's approach to the redesign was unconventional, launching the three-row Grand Cherokee L first and then the shorter, sportier two-row version. The new Grand Cherokee was available in various trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding the $1,795 destination charge.

The Grand Cherokee's design paid homage to the classic 1963 Wagoneer, with a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. Jeep also offered a black roof option on some versions. Inside, the Grand Cherokee's interior mirrored that of the Grand Cherokee L, with the base Laredo trim providing good quality despite its simplicity. The Summit Reserve trim, on the other end of the spectrum, offered luxurious features such as premium quilted leather, heated and ventilated front seats with massage, a McIntosh high-end audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the gloss black finish on some controls in higher trims could be problematic due to reflections.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided the Navigator with a sprightly performance, despite its size. The Navigator's 4WD system was smooth and efficient, offering a towing capacity of 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 were standard, but the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering and brakes were looser and less precise, but the Navigator's overall refinement and power made it a comfortable highway cruiser.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine was standard in most trims, while the V8 was available in higher trims and only with 4WD. The Grand Cherokee's towing capacity ranged from 6,200 pounds with the V6 to 7,200 pounds with the V8. Three different 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Trailhawk trim, in particular, was equipped with advanced off-road features, including an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Speed off-road cruise control. The Grand Cherokee's fuel economy ranged from 17 mpg with the V8 and 4WD to 21 mpg with the V6 and any drivetrain. The Trailhawk's off-road performance was impressive, but its tire noise and firmer suspension might not appeal to all drivers. The V6 engine was the preferred choice for its balance of efficiency and performance, while the V8 offered a thrilling driving experience at the cost of fuel economy.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a spacious interior, capable of accommodating six adults comfortably. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children, but the power-folding and raising feature added convenience. The second row featured manually-reclining and tilting captain's chairs, with an optional bench for a total of eight passengers. The Navigator's boxy shape contributed to its generous cargo space, offering 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more storage capacity. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a handy feature for accessing the cargo area without risking items falling out. The Navigator Reserve trim included heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate control system. However, the lack of side window shades and electrically reclining second-row seats were notable omissions. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage programs. The Navigator's large windows and high driving position enhanced visibility, but parking could be challenging due to its size.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a comfortable interior for the driver and front passenger, with higher trims providing additional features such as heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. The base Laredo trim, with its cloth upholstery, still provided a sense of quality. Jeep aimed to improve visibility with the Grand Cherokee's redesign, and the result was a cabin with better sightlines and camera technologies that boosted driver confidence. The available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the interior. However, rear-seat room remained tight for adults with long legs, and the plastic front seatback trim could be uncomfortable. The Grand Cherokee L, with its sliding second-row seats, offered more legroom. The two-row Grand Cherokee provided 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, making it a practical choice for carrying luggage.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which, while functional, felt outdated compared to the advanced displays in competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator's infotainment system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the cameras were low-resolution. However, the software was intuitive, and voice recognition was fast and accurate. The Navigator included onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. Lincoln's remote app functions were included for five years, with SiriusXM traffic data for six years. The rear entertainment system offered Roku media streaming and various connectivity options. The Navigator's simplicity was a relief compared to the overkill found in some luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, offering a comprehensive head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and multiple interior touchscreens. The Grand Cherokee featured the next-generation Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was responsive and improved over time with over-the-air software updates. Most trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available as an upgrade. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and voice recognition were standard. The Grand Cherokee also offered a 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV integration. The optional front passenger interactive display allowed the front-seat occupant to assist the driver and enjoy their own entertainment options.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator did not offer knee airbags, but optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row were a rare safety feature. 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 self-steering and lane-tracking capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was built with a safety cage composed extensively of aluminum and high-strength steel, with only 27% mild-grade steel. This structural improvement aimed to enhance crash protection, addressing the previous generation's mediocre performance in this regard. The Grand Cherokee was equipped with a comprehensive package of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist. The latter provided Level 2 hands-on semi-autonomous driving assistance, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. A hands-free version of Active Driving Assist was expected to be available in 2022, allowing drivers to let go of the steering wheel on approved roads.