Compare the2022 BMW X7VS 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The X7’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Navigator doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the middle seat shoulder belts of the BMW X7 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Lincoln Navigator doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X7. But it costs extra on the Navigator.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X7 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Navigator uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X7 and the Navigator have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The X7’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Navigator’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X7 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Lincoln only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Navigator.

The battery on the X7 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the X7’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Navigator’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Lincoln vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is ranked 21st.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Lincoln vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 14 places higher in reliability than Lincoln.

The X7 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 83 more horsepower (523 vs. 440) and 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 510) than the Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6. The Alpina XB7’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 172 more horsepower (612 vs. 440) and 80 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 510) than the Navigator’s 3.5 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the X7 xDrive40i is faster than the Lincoln Navigator:

On the EPA test cycle the X7 gets better mileage than the Navigator:

Regenerative brakes improve the X7’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Navigator doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X7’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Navigator doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X7 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Navigator:

The X7 stops much shorter than the Navigator:

For better traction and acceleration, the X7 has larger standard rear tires than the Navigator (315/35R22 vs. 275/55R20). The Alpina XB7’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the Navigator (325/30R23 vs. 285/45R22).

The X7’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Navigator Standard’s standard 55 series tires. The Alpina XB7’s optional 285/35R23 front and 325/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Navigator’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the Navigator Standard. The Alpina XB7’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Navigator.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Navigator doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X7 Alpina has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Navigator doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the X7 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Navigator, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Alpina XB7 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lincoln doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Navigator.

The X7 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X7’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Navigator doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The X7 handles at .80 G’s, while the Navigator Black Label 4WD pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X7 xDrive40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the Navigator Black Label 4WD (26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The BMW X7 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Lincoln Navigator.

The X7 is 6.7 inches shorter than the Navigator, making the X7 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the X7’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Navigator uses body-on-frame design instead.

The front step up height for the X7 is 1 inches lower than the Navigator (20” vs. 21”). The X7’s rear step up height is 2.5 inches lower than the Navigator’s (20.5” vs. 23”).

The X7’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Navigator’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The X7 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Navigator doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X7 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Navigator doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the X7 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Navigator’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The X7 has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Lincoln doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Navigator.

The X7 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X7 will retain 45.71% to 47.24% of its original price after five years, while the Navigator only retains 41.62% to 42.57%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Navigator isn't recommended.