2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its luxurious design and spacious interior, despite not undergoing significant updates since its last refresh in 2022. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, showcased the Monochromatic Package, which included black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. While the Infinite Black exterior was challenging to keep clean, the interior exuded an upscale feel with real wood trim and chrome accents. However, some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the overall luxury experience. The cabin was equipped with a Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, though it went largely unused by the younger passengers who preferred their smartphones. The Navigator Reserve's MSRP reached $104,715, including destination charges.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a complete transformation, shedding its previous image for a more modern and stylish appearance. The new Trax was longer, lower, and wider, borrowing design cues from the midsize Chevy Blazer. This redesign gave the Trax a distinctive presence, setting it apart from competitors like the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks. The Trax offered various trim levels, including the Activ and RS, each with unique styling elements. Inside, the Trax featured a more car-like driving position, with a low driver seat and window sills for excellent visibility. While the interior space saw some improvements, such as increased rear-seat legroom, headroom decreased slightly. Cargo space increased by about 12%, providing ample room for a subcompact crossover.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD drivetrain, the Navigator offered a range of driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. Despite its power, the Navigator's fuel efficiency was less impressive, averaging 15.6 mpg during testing. The adaptive damping suspension, while standard, did not provide the expected ride quality, with the SUV feeling truck-like over smaller bumps. However, Excite mode improved the ride and handling, albeit at the cost of fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size posed challenges in urban environments, making parking and maneuvering difficult.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured a smaller 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Despite the reduced power compared to its predecessor, the Trax felt responsive, with minimal turbo lag and strong acceleration. The six-speed automatic transmission carried over, but the Trax was now available only with front-wheel drive. The Trax's handling was tuned to be more car-like, with a wider track providing a planted feel. While not a hot hatch, the Trax offered nimble handling and exceeded expectations in terms of refinement. Active noise cancellation helped reduce unwanted sounds, though tire noise was noticeable in the 2RS test vehicle.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across all three rows and a generous cargo area. The test vehicle featured Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats, providing comfort with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the multitude of adjustments proved challenging to perfect. The Navigator's storage options were plentiful, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. For those needing extra cargo space, the extended-length Navigator L model offered significantly more room behind the third-row seat, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, while larger overall, did not uniformly translate to increased interior space. Rear-seat legroom improved by three inches, but headroom decreased slightly. The Trax's seating felt comfortable for its price range, and the car-like driving position provided excellent visibility. Cargo space increased by about 12%, offering 25.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 54.1 cubic feet with them folded. While not class-leading, the Trax's cargo capacity was competitive within its segment.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a range of digital displays, including a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sync 4 infotainment system offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a host of other features. The digital assistant performed well, understanding commands accurately. The test vehicle also boasted a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, delivering impressive sound quality. However, the wireless smartphone charger caused the phone to overheat, leading to its discontinuation in use. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, while available, was largely ignored by passengers.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant infotainment upgrades, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims and an 11-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, were available for the first time. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a logical menu layout and crisp graphics. The optional digital instrument cluster provided a modern design, and information could be transferred from the main touchscreen. The Trax also offered multiple USB ports for front and rear passengers, though the wireless charging pad's design was not ideal for all phones.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) through the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. Notable features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. However, BlueCruise struggled with certain driving conditions and required driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, but a full crashworthiness assessment was unavailable.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax offered a range of standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Trax also featured the Teen Driver system, which monitored driving behavior and provided a report card to parents. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.