2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an extended version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, adding 11.4 inches to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase was also stretched by five inches, providing more legroom in the second row and wider rear doors. The additional length and mass blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. Jeep introduced the L first as a 2021 model, delaying the release of the two-row version until 2022. This design choice resulted in an elegant and recognizable Jeep, featuring modernized lighting, improved paint finish, and better panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, with new exterior paint colors like Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L offered a luxurious experience with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The interior layout felt premium, reminiscent of a Mercedes in style and tactile quality. Even in all-black, the interior provided enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable and visually stimulated. The lighter tan leather option added a touch of luxury, making it a vehicle where passengers would be mindful of cleanliness.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, last redesigned in 2018 and refreshed in 2022, entered 2023 without significant updates. Lincoln planned to rename the base trim to Premiere in 2024, make 4WD standard on all models, and extend the complimentary subscription to the BlueCruise hands-free driving system to four years. The popular Flight Blue paint color also returned. The test vehicle was a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featuring the Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. Despite its stylish appearance, the Infinite Black test vehicle was challenging to keep clean.

The Navigator's interior was all black, with real wood trim panels and chrome accents. The ambient lighting in the Reserve I package added contrast and character at night. While the cabin looked upscale and used quality materials, some chrome plastic on the switchgear failed to convey luxury. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV streaming capability was a pricey option that went unused by teenagers who preferred their iPhones. The test vehicle's MSRP was $104,715, including a $1,695 destination charge.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either RWD or 4WD. The 4xe plug-in hybrid, which paired a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, provided 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The test vehicle had the V6 engine, which produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. However, the V6 felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, requiring high revs and producing noticeable engine noise. The transmission's early upshifts didn't help, and Sport mode kept the revs high but never let them settle.

The V8 engine, available only on the Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims with 4WD, offered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, providing a more satisfying driving experience. The V6 had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was notably worse at 14/22/17. The 4xe plug-in hybrid's estimates were not yet available. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, with ride composure and steering feel that were taut and direct. The optional air suspension provided a range of ride height settings, from Access height for easy entry and exit to Off-road 2 mode for up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. The driving modes modulated various systems for different terrains, making the Grand Cherokee L a versatile vehicle.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The test vehicle had an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg combined, but averaged 15.6 mpg during testing. Drivers could choose between five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with Hill Climb available with the optional towing package. The adaptive damping suspension included Road Preview, which used the front camera to identify upcoming bumps and prepare the suspension.

In Normal mode, the Navigator's ride was not agreeable, with the 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires causing a truck-like ride over smaller cracks and bumps. Excite mode stiffened the suspension and quickened the powertrain's response, but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. The Navigator felt smaller on mountain roads, with excellent outward visibility and impressive grip from the big wheels and wide tires. However, the steering was slow and lifeless, and the nearly three-ton curb weight challenged the brakes. In city and suburban settings, the Navigator's size was a liability, making parking and navigating tight spaces difficult.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. The interface was sleeker and sharper, with physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions. The central rotary shifter was easy to learn, and there was a large bin for wireless phone charging and a big central cubby under the armrest. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen. However, there were legibility concerns with tiny graphics and occasional lag when switching menus.

The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. A panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports made long journeys enjoyable. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for more cargo space. Power-deploying running boards made it easier to enter and exit the cabin. The test vehicle had 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, ensuring comfort for long trips. The second-row captain's chairs were also roomy, with a pass-through to the third-row seat, where even taller adults would be comfortable.

While the front seats were comfortable and wrapped in quality leather, they offered too many adjustments, making it difficult to find the perfect position. Storage space was generous, with a large tray under the center console and smaller ones for third-row passengers. The Navigator L model provided substantially more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of premium features, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of the next corner. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless, and two phones could be connected simultaneously. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers.

Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. The Summit trims added automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, while lower trims had nine-speaker or six-speaker systems.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a widescreen head-up display, and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system. The Sync 4 infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Lincoln Connect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot, a navigation system with enhanced voice recognition, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant was excellent, easily understanding commands and responding accurately.

The test vehicle had a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, providing lush sound throughout the cabin. The Lincoln Way smartphone app and Phone As A Key technology allowed owners to unlock, start, and drive the SUV using a digital key. The Lincoln Play system installed two touchscreens for rear-seat passengers, but teenagers preferred using their smartphones and ear buds.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert for possible unattended passengers, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came with a long list of advanced driving assistance systems, bundled in the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. The test vehicle had both packages, including Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise was a hands-free driving assist system for designated Hands-Free Blue Zones, but it struggled with curves, mixed pavement surfaces, and construction zones. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.