2019 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox had a tighter interior following its redesign, with a cargo capacity of just 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat. This cramped space was a significant drawback in a competitive market. Chevy attempted to offset this by promoting the Equinox's low starting price of $23,800. However, the base L trim was only available via special order and lacked essential features like a spare tire, compass, and paint options beyond white or silver. The LS trim, which effectively served as the starting point, cost an additional $2,100 and offered minimal upgrades, such as a power driver’s seat and tinted rear windows. Advanced safety features were only available in the top-tier Premier trim, pushing the price to around $33,000.

Despite these limitations, the Equinox had some commendable aspects, including FWD and AWD options and three engine choices, one of which was a diesel. The LT trim with AWD and a 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine, priced at $31,400, included a $2,240 Sun and Navigation package and a $1,945 Confidence and Convenience package. These added features like a power sunroof, HD rear-view camera, and heated front seats. The total price, including a $995 destination charge, came to $36,580.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that differentiated it from the Ford Expedition, on which it was based. The Navigator's unique front and rear styling, along with the Lincoln Embrace lighting system, added a touch of elegance. The lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights were distinctive design elements. The black roof pillars gave the Navigator a wraparound glass appearance.

For 2020, the Navigator introduced the Reserve Monochromatic Package, available in White, Ceramic Pearl, and Infinite Black, with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. The Navigator offered various trims, including the standard Navigator, Reserve, and ultra-plush Black Label, with options for standard and long-wheelbase body styles and RWD or 4WD. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, extra-cost paint, and both the Luxury and Reserve Monochromatic packages, was priced at $92,385, including a $1,295 destination charge. The interior featured Dark Slate leather, 30-way Perfect Position front seats, digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a panoramic glass roof, making it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox offered three engine choices. The base 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, available in the L and LS trims, produced 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It achieved an EPA rating of 26 mpg city and 32 highway with FWD. However, this engine was underpowered, especially with a full load of cargo or passengers. The LT trim provided access to a 1.6-liter turbodiesel and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The turbodiesel, with 240 lb-ft of torque, sacrificed towing capacity and didn't meet its fuel economy claims of 28 mpg city and 39 highway. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, was the best option, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. In AWD form, it had an EPA rating of 22 mpg city and 28 highway, though real-world driving yielded closer to 20 mpg. The 9-speed transmission, however, was problematic at lower speeds, frequently hunting for the correct gear.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a single engine choice, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Ford Expedition's most powerful version. A 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels, with an option for 4WD. Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the powertrain to various driving conditions, 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 RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The twin-turbo V6 provided strong acceleration, though it lacked the V8 rumble. The Navigator averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. The SUV's adaptive damping suspension struggled with impact harshness on imperfect roads, especially in Excite mode, but body motion control was excellent. The Navigator felt large around town but was more manageable with a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox's interior materials were a concern, especially at higher trim levels where the price could exceed $40,000. Visible gaps between interior panels detracted from the overall quality. However, the cloth seats were a standout, and the front and rear seats provided ample room for a 6-foot, 4-inch frame. The cargo space, at 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet total, was below average for the segment but still sufficient for most needs.

Entering the 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up, akin to ascending a short flight of stairs, though available power running boards helped. Once inside, passengers enjoyed ample space and comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the optional Luxury Package, were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the ideal settings took time. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two captain’s chairs, with the latter option including a large center console with audio controls. Triple-zone climate control ensured comfort across all three rows, and the test vehicle featured heated rear seat cushions. The third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support, making it comfortable for most passengers. 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 a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox received significant technology upgrades, including a new infotainment system, HD options, and LEDs for the LT trim. The infotainment system, though not the most responsive, was easy to use and compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The larger 8-inch touchscreen was a nice upgrade, though it had some lag issues. The new HD cameras improved visibility, a previous sore spot. The Lights and Bright package made LEDs available on the LT trim, and the Sun and Navigation package added a 120-volt outlet and extra USB ports. However, features like dual-zone auto climate control, heated front seats, and blind-spot monitoring were only available with the $1,945 Confidence and Convenience package, which was limited to mid-tier trims and up.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was the least impressive technology feature, taking time to load content. However, Ford's upcoming Sync 4 platform promised improvements. In the meantime, Sync 3 offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, 911 Assist, a Lincoln Way smartphone and smartwatch app, 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 required specific command pathways. The Reserve’s Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system with three listening profiles, with Stereo being the preferred option. 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 Chevrolet Equinox performed well in government and independent safety tests, scoring top marks. However, the headlights received a Marginal rating from the IIHS, though the Lights and Bright package for the LT trim addressed this with LEDs. Basic safety features like blind-spot monitoring were not standard until the top-tier Premier trim and were only optional on the LT. Advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection with auto braking were available as an expensive package on the top trims. Competitors like the Forester and RAV4 offered more advanced safety features as standard.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems, 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, a rear cross-traffic warning system, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, and the lane-keeping assistance system was effective yet subtle. The lane-departure warning system produced a vibration in the steering wheel, though it was hard to detect at normal sensitivity. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.