2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars and wagons of the past decades. The brand maintained its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale, nearing the luxury class. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company underwent a significant transformation, developing new vehicle platforms from scratch. The original XC90, launched in 2003, received updates until 2015. The 2016 model marked the debut of the current XC90, Volvo's flagship SUV, built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

The 2022 XC90 had a striking stance and sleek profile, with a body that seemed ready to launch forward. Its long roofline and pronounced wheel arches emphasized athleticism, while the snub nose and upright grille paid homage to classic Volvo designs. The interior, described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featured natural wood and metal trim, with exquisite details like a sliding wood tambor cover and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo offered both Nappa leather and a tailored wool blend upholstery, with the latter being a sustainable option.

Lincoln made subtle styling changes to the 2022 Navigator, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with an updated Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination sequence. The front end received a restyle, featuring an Audi-esque grille with the Lincoln star and chrome detailing. While the new grille design was less elegant than before, the rest of the updates were successful.

Inside, the Navigator continued to impress with quality materials and mid-century modern design, now featuring Lincoln’s Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display was a significant upgrade, offering ample display space. The Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase styles, with Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trim levels. The Black Label trim, tested in the new Central Park theme, featured a luxurious green interior and second-row captain’s chairs with heating, ventilation, and massage functions.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the T8 plug-in hybrid combining the supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor for a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft. The T5 models were front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, while the T6 and T8 models were all-wheel drive only. All XC90 models used an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The T5 FWD models achieved an EPA rating of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, while the T5 AWD models were rated at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The T6 AWD models achieved 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 had a combined rating of 27 mpg on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended-range variant offered 26 mpg combined, 66 MPGe, and up to 36 miles of EV range. Charging the battery took about five hours at 240 volts. The XC90 handled well for its size, with minimal body roll and smooth power delivery, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its 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 or four-wheel drive, with a towing capacity ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview and the new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking response.

During testing, the Navigator handled various road conditions, including snow and mud, with ease, thanks to its four-wheel drive, 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and adaptive suspension. The Navigator 4WD achieved an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined, and during testing, it averaged 18.6 mpg.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was available in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for children but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The XC90 could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior featured ample storage space, comfortable seating, and a standard panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, providing a comfortable environment.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator's front seats were heated, ventilated, and massaging, with 30-way power adjustments for exceptional comfort. The second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massage functions, along with the updated Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations and was more comfortable than the Cadillac Escalade's third row. The Navigator offered generous storage and cargo space, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row (34.3 cubic feet for the long-wheelbase Navigator L), 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded (73.3 cubic feet for Navigator L), and 103.3 cubic feet with the second row collapsed (120.2 cubic feet for Navigator L).

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, offering familiar smartphone gestures like pinch, pull, and swipe. However, the system was occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. The XC90 supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display. The standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound system could be upgraded to a Bowers & Wilkins system for $3,200. The XC90 included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch landscape-oriented touchscreen, offering easy access to navigation and music details. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions. Sync 4's voice recognition system performed well, though it occasionally struggled with specific prompts. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. The Navigator also featured a new 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety, featuring blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for highway driving with minimal driver intervention. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. Intersection Assist could automatically brake during unsafe movements, while Road Edge Detection steered the SUV away from road edges. Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking in parallel and perpendicular spaces. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed hands-free driving on approved highways. The Navigator also featured a surround-view camera system.