2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

When shopping for a 2022 Jeep Wrangler, buyers had to choose between the classic two-door or the more practical four-door model. Depending on this choice, they could select from a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The standard six-speed manual transmission could be upgraded to an eight-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard, with multiple systems available based on the trim level. The Wrangler came in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions offering different roof options and other features. The price range for the 2022 Wrangler was between $30,000 and $80,000, excluding the destination charge.

Our test vehicle was the new High Tide special edition, based on the four-door Sport S trim. It featured LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, a Gorilla Glass windshield, and High Tide or Beach hood decals. The standout feature was the Xtreme Recon package, which included a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires, and a 4.56 rear axle ratio. Our Wrangler also had a gasoline V6 engine with eTorque mild hybrid electrification, an automatic transmission, Selec-Trac full-time 4WD, and several option packages, bringing the MSRP to $58,845, including the $1,595 destination charge. Jeep made minor equipment modifications for 2022, including a new air filtration system and new paint colors.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, last redesigned in 2018 and freshened up in 2022, rolled into 2023 without significant updates. Lincoln planned to rename the base trim Premiere in 2024, make 4WD standard on all models, and expand the complimentary subscription to the BlueCruise hands-free driving system to four years. The popular Flight Blue paint color also returned. Our test vehicle was a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, one step up from the Standard trim and one step down from Black Label. It featured the Monochromatic Package, which included black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. The test vehicle also had the Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV streaming capability, bringing the MSRP to $104,715, including a $1,695 destination charge.

The Navigator Reserve’s cabin was upscale, with quality materials and ambient lighting adding character at night. However, the chrome plastic on some switchgear failed to convey luxury. The Navigator’s interior was all black, with real wood trim panels and chrome accents. The Lincoln Play system went unused by our teenage passengers, who preferred their iPhones.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option. The test vehicle also had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The EPA rated the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6 at 21 mpg in combined driving, but our test vehicle averaged 16.8 mpg over a week and 435 miles of driving. The Wrangler’s driving experience was unique and immersive, with a rough-and-tumble feel and a high fuel consumption rate. It was loud inside the cabin, with vague steering, a rough ride, touchy brakes, and a tendency to squeal or spin the tires around corners. Despite these traits, the Wrangler’s character and capabilities made it a beloved off-roader.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator had 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 a 4WD drivetrain. The test vehicle had an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg in combined driving but averaged 15.6 mpg on our Southern California testing loop. Drivers could choose between five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. The Navigator’s adaptive damping suspension included Road Preview, which used the front camera to identify upcoming bumps and prepare the suspension. The Navigator’s ride quality was inconsistent, with a truck-like feel over smaller bumps and a floating sensation over larger dips. Excite mode improved the ride but reduced 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 brakes struggled with the SUV’s nearly three-ton curb weight.

Getting into and out of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler was challenging, especially with the High Tide’s raised suspension. The manual height adjuster for the driver’s seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler’s seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and some soft, padded spots for arms and elbows. The driving position was close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield, requiring acclimation. Visibility was a mixed bag, with some areas requiring leaning forward to see traffic lights and the 35-inch spare tire blocking part of the rear view. Rear-seat passengers faced the same entry and exit difficulties, with intrusive rear wheel wells and narrower door openings. Storage was limited, with netting on the lower door panels, a small tray on the dashboard, and small but deep center console and glove compartments. The tailgate was heavy due to the 35-inch wheel, and the cargo space was 31.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

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 Lincoln’s 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row captain’s chairs were roomy with wide armrests, and the third-row seat accommodated taller and larger adults. Storage space was generous, with a large tray under the center console and smaller ones for third-row passengers. The Navigator L model provided more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on Sport S trim, had a relatively basic infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but our test vehicle did not have it. The Wrangler High Tide included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

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 performed well, easily understanding and responding to commands. The test vehicle had a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System and Phone As A Key technology, allowing owners to unlock, start, and drive the SUV using a digital key. The Lincoln Play system went unused by our teenage passengers.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and the Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Marginal rating for protection in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) small overlap crash-test evaluation. The Wrangler’s headlight performance rated Poor for the standard lights and Marginal for the LED upgrades.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, which included advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) like Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise allowed hands-free driving on designated highways but required regular driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.