Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The X5’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.

The X5 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Navigator doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X5 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 X5 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X5 is safer than the Lincoln Navigator:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the X5 is 3.4% to 4.9% less likely to roll over than the Navigator.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 151 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Navigator has not been tested, yet.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Navigator’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X5’s reliability 13 points higher than the Navigator.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Navigator isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lincoln is rated lower.

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 X5 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.

As tested in Motor Trend the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Lincoln Navigator:

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the Navigator:

Regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Navigator doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X5’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 X5 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Navigator:

The X5 stops much shorter than the Navigator:

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Navigator Standard’s standard 55 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Navigator’s optional 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 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 X5 M50i offers 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 X5 M50i 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 X5 xDrive40i handles at .89 G’s, while the Navigator Black Label 4WD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.6 seconds quicker than the Navigator Black Label 4WD (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The BMW X5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 850 pounds less than the Lincoln Navigator.

The X5 is 1 foot, 3.7 inches shorter than the Navigator, making the X5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X5 is 7.7 inches shorter in height than the Navigator, making the X5 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the X5’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.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the X5 xDrive40i is quieter than the Navigator Black Label 4WD:

The front step up height for the X5 is 1.5 inches lower than the Navigator (19.5” vs. 21”). The X5’s rear step up height is 3 inches lower than the Navigator’s (20” vs. 23”).

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume than the Navigator with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 19.3 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Lincoln. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Lincoln is ranked 12th.

The X5’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 X5 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Navigator doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Navigator doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the X5 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.

Insurance will cost less for the X5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X5 with a number “1” insurance rate while the Navigator is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lincoln Navigator isn't recommended.

The BMW X5 outsold the Lincoln Navigator by over three to one during the 2021 model year.