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The Land Rover Range Rover has cemented its place as one of the ultimate luxury SUV models on the market and the flagship of the British automaker. Can the Lincoln Navigator, one of its American competitors, stand up to the Ranger Rover and its near-sterling reputation for luxury and prowess?

2024 Land Rover Range Rover and Lincoln Navigator powertrains

Shopping for a 2024 Lincoln Navigator is far easier than its counterpart regarding powertrain selection — there isn’t any. All Navigators are powered by a twin-turbo V6 delivering 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. New for 2024, the Navigator is now fitted with all-wheel drive as standard.

The 2024 Land Rover Range Rover offers prospective buyers a choice of four powertrains. The base engine is a turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid system developing 395 horsepower, which is 45 fewer ponies than the Navigator. However, the Range Rover can also be had with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 cranking out 523 horsepower, a 542-hp PHEV variant, or the ultimate performer, a 606-hp V8. Like the Navigator, the Range Rover sports AWD across its range. All engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

So, the Navigator offers notably more power out of the gate, but the Land Rover gives buyers a powertrain choice and offers far more grunt, or efficiency, in upper models.

Large luxury SUV passenger and cargo space compared

The Lincoln Navigator offers seating arrangements for either seven or eight passengers. Meanwhile, the Land Rover Range Rover provides seating for five as standard, though a third row with accommodation for seven passengers is available. So too, is a four-passenger model for those who want to be chauffeured.

The Navigator also leads in cargo capacity. Both models are offered with extended wheelbases, and the Lincoln is the more spacious model when comparing either the standard or extended wheelbase models.

The standard Navigator offers 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 57 cubic feet behind the middle seats. The Range Rover settles for just 9 cubic feet behind the rear row and 43.1 cubic feet behind the second row.

Though passenger space is far closer between the models, the Navigator again gets the edge. For instance, it offers a full 3 inches more front legroom.

Fuel economy ratings of the Range Rover and Navigator

With one powertrain and standard AWD, the Lincoln Navigator will return 16 city mpg, 22 highway mpg, and 18 combined mpg, according to the EPA.

The base Land Rover Range Rover is rated for 21 combined mpg even in its long-wheelbase guise. The 4.4-liter V8 model, dubbed the P530, is rated for 18 combined mpg, the same figure as the Navigator despite its 83-hp advantage.

However, Range Rover also offers a PHEV for the fuel-conscious, earning the Land Rover an all-around win over the Navigator for fuel economy.

Standout luxury features of the Range Rover and Navigator

Neither flagship SUV is short on luxe amenities, even in their base forms.

The Lincoln Navigator offers an adaptive suspension, heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, power-folding rear/second-row seats, a 13.2-inch touchscreen, a 14-speaker sound system and a long suite of active driver aids as standard. Upper models either offer as standard or make available additional features like a panoramic sunroof, BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving system, massaging front seats, a 28-speaker audio system, and 22-inch wheels.

The Land Rover Range Rover delivers air suspension, four-wheel steering, heated front/second-row seats, a 13.1-inch touchscreen, an automated parking system, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and a long list of safety features as standard. Upper models, along with more powerful engines, can be had with a 35-speaker Meridian audio system, a digital rearview mirror, power rear sunshades, sound-reducing glass, a rear seat entertainment system, and a front console refrigerator.

2024 Navigator vs. Range Rover pricing

The Lincoln Navigator and Land Rover Range Rover are not for penny-pinchers, but the Navigator holds a definite advantage in price. The 2024 Navigator starts at $82,765, with the Black Label L (the “L” designating long-wheelbase) topping the range at $113,795 MSRP.

The Range Rover SE starts at $107,400 MSRP, nearly $25,000 more than the base Lincoln. Opt for the top-tier Range Rover, the SV, and pricing jumps to a whopping $209,000.

Overall strengths of the Lincoln Navigator and Land Rover Range Rover

The luxury full-size SUV class isn’t particularly awash with models, but the Land Rover Range Rover and Lincoln Navigator remain standouts in the class.

The Navigator’s strengths lie in its pragmaticism and price. While it can’t match the Range Rover for overall luxe, it costs significantly less, can move more people and their stuff, and provides prospective buyers ease with a single but plenty powerful drivetrain, even if it’s not the most efficient setup.

The Range Rover is notably more upscale, with a price to match. Although it’s less practical for some everyday uses, it’s just at home on the trails as the road, while the Navigator is more attuned to sticking to the pavement. Land Rover also gives buyers plenty of choice in configuring their model, which 1-percenters can certainly appreciate.

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