2019 Acura RDX vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2019 Acura RDX showcased a bold new exterior design, drawing inspiration from its larger sibling, the Acura MDX. The front end featured angular headlights flanking a broad, assertive grille, a significant improvement from the previous "shield" or "beak" grille. The RDX's more upright layout and rear end design aimed to increase cabin space, presenting a modern and sharp aesthetic. The A-Spec trim added dark accents reminiscent of the Porsche Macan, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the RDX boasted soft-touch surfaces, unique stitching, and suede inserts, with actual brushed aluminum brightwork that, while occasionally blinding, highlighted the redesigned center console and True Touchpad infotainment system. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, a power liftgate, and a panoramic moonroof, among others.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator emphasized luxury with its chrome and brightwork, setting it apart from mainstream models like the Ford Expedition. The Navigator featured unique front and rear styling elements, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system, a lattice-type grille with an illuminated star, and full-width taillights. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom look with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator's Dark Slate leather interior, part of the Luxury Package, included 30-way Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The dashboard featured mid-century modern styling cues, digital instrumentation, and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen. A panoramic glass roof and high-quality materials further enhanced the luxurious feel.

The 2019 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Available in front-wheel drive or Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), the RDX offered impressive torque-vectoring capabilities, diverting up to 70% of torque to the rear wheels and 100% to either rear wheel independently. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) allowed drivers to switch between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting throttle response, shift mapping, steering feel, and traction control. Fuel economy for the front-wheel drive RDX was 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the AWD version returned 21/27/23. The RDX's adaptive damper system in the Advance trim provided a customizable ride, balancing sportiness and comfort.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, the Navigator offered multiple Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb (with the towing package). The Navigator's maximum towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, with a subtle yet aggressive engine note. However, fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, though impact harshness was noticeable with 22-inch wheels.

The 2019 Acura RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, increasing by 3 cubic feet from the previous model. With the 60/40 split-fold rear seats down, cargo capacity was 58.9 cubic feet. The RDX's interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample head- and legroom in both the front and second rows. The floating center stack design provided additional storage space, and the center console featured a brushed metal cover over the cupholder tray. All four doors had room for multiple water bottles, and the rear seat included a center armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, passengers enjoyed ample space and comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the Luxury Package, offered exceptional comfort, with power-adjustable pedals and a heated steering wheel. The second row could be configured with a three-person bench or captain's chairs, with the latter option including a large center console and audio system controls. The Navigator's third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were also class-leading, with the standard-length model offering 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet maximum. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2019 Acura RDX came standard with the True Touchpad infotainment system, replacing the previous two-screen setup. The high-definition screen was visually appealing, but the touchpad system had a steep learning curve. Simple tasks like changing the radio station required multiple steps, and saving presets was cumbersome. Apple CarPlay integration was available, but navigating within CarPlay was also challenging. Despite these issues, the system showed potential for improvement.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was less impressive, with slow content loading times. However, a new Sync 4 platform was expected to improve the experience. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed the smartphone to function as the vehicle key. The voice recognition system worked reasonably well but was not as advanced as some competitors. The Reserve's Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, providing a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display, though the test vehicle lacked the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2019 Acura RDX came standard with a reversing camera, tire pressure monitoring system, traction control, and a full array of front and side impact airbags. The AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance systems included forward-collision warning, forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, road-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Technology Package added front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The range-topping Advance trim included a head-up warning system.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, a blind-spot warning system with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance operated with refinement and subtlety. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though the rollover resistance rating for the rear-wheel drive model was three stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the 2020 model.