2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, with a 20-inch design becoming standard. The front end was restyled, featuring an Audi-esque grille with Lincoln's star and chrome detailing, which some felt reduced the vehicle's elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's updates were generally well-received, maintaining its luxurious appeal.

Inside, the Navigator continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a touch of sophistication, resembling a twilight sky. The updated Sync 4 infotainment system featured a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, enhancing the vehicle's tech appeal. The Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase styles, with prices starting at $78,405, and the Black Label trim offering a luxurious Central Park theme.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L retained the classic style of its predecessors while extending its length by over a foot. The High Altitude package on the Hydro Blue example added bold blacked-out elements and dark gray 21-inch wheels. The interior featured black leather with gold stitching and matte-finish light walnut, creating a luxurious feel. The U-shaped fenders and square greenhouse maintained the quintessential Jeep look, while modern elements like slim LED lighting and body-color bumpers added a contemporary touch.

Upper trims of the Grand Cherokee L boasted impressive interiors, with most materials feeling justified for a $70,000 vehicle. The polished black dash hid an optional touchscreen, and the gear selector and driving mode toggles felt appropriately damped. The diamond-patterned stitching on the seats and aluminum speaker grilles added to the classy ambiance. Lower trims still offered a significantly better look and feel compared to competitors like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder.

The 2022 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, the Navigator offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) options. Towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology and a new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking response. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg combined for the 4WD model.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, which felt underpowered for the heavy SUV. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was recommended for better performance and towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds. The V8 also provided a more satisfying sound. Fuel economy for the V6 was rated at 21 mpg combined, while the V8's ratings were lower at 17 mpg combined.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis offered confident handling, especially with the air suspension, which provided a smooth ride and minimized body lean. The steering could have been quicker, but overall, the handling was top-notch for its class. Jeep offered three 4WD systems, with the most advanced being Quadra-Drive II, which included a low-range transfer case and a limited-slip differential. The air suspension allowed for up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance, making the Grand Cherokee L a capable off-roader.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's interior featured exceptionally comfortable 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing a luxurious experience. The third-row seat offered roomy accommodations, making the Navigator a great choice for families. Cargo space was generous, with up to 103.3 cubic feet of storage in the standard model and 120.2 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase version.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's extended length provided more legroom for second-row passengers, making it feel spacious even with tall occupants in the front seats. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a center console available on higher trims. The third row was best suited for children, as it was tight for adults. The driver's seat offered good visibility, and the infotainment system's controls were conveniently placed. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85 cubic feet of storage with both rows folded, making it one of the largest in its class.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's new Sync 4 infotainment system featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering a user-friendly interface with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system included physical controls for volume and climate functions, making it easy to use. The voice recognition system was improved but not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV provided access to popular streaming services. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered an exceptional listening experience.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's infotainment system varied by trim, with lower trims featuring an 8.4-inch touchscreen and higher trims a 10.1-inch touchscreen. All systems ran Uconnect 5, which was generally quick and easy to use. The McIntosh sound system, with 19 speakers, was available on upper trims and provided good sound quality. The night vision system and Active Driving Assist added advanced safety and convenience features. The passenger screen allowed for independent control of navigation, cameras, and entertainment, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system became standard. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, performed well on approved highways but required constant driver attention. These systems represented steps toward fully autonomous driving but still required human oversight.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for models built after May 2023. It also received five stars in most National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tests. Standard safety features included front knee airbags, forward and rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included front cross-traffic braking, 360-degree cameras, and night vision.