2019 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2019 INFINITI QX80, despite its age, maintained a flagship appearance with its elegant front end, featuring slim, slanted LED headlights and a curved rectangular grille. The hood and front bumper had sensuous curves that contrasted with the upright, boxy profile. The rear-quarter glass and LED taillights, connected by a thin chrome strip, helped break up the body’s chunkiness. Standard 20-inch wheels, tall side mirrors, and a towering roof emphasized its big-rig persona. The Limited trim introduced two-tone 22-inch rims, unique grey metallic paint, stainless steel running boards, and a special black-and-white interior with luxurious leather surfaces and microsuede inserts. However, the doors were thin-sounding and poorly insulated, leaking cold air in freezing conditions.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator differentiated itself from the Ford Expedition with unique front and rear styling elements and the Lincoln Embrace lighting system. The lattice-type grille insert mimicked the Lincoln star logo, and the illuminated star in the center added a touch of elegance. Fender vents, full-width taillights, and black roof pillars gave the Navigator a distinctive look. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added body-color grille and side mirror enhancements with 22-inch black-painted wheels. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, featured a Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a wide two-tiered storage console, digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a panoramic glass roof. High-quality materials were used throughout, making the Navigator a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2019 INFINITI QX80, with its body-on-frame chassis, boasted an impressive 8,500-pound tow rating, surpassing competitors like the Mercedes GLS, BMW X7, and Lexus LX 570. Its 5.6-liter V8 engine produced 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. The QX80 offered selectable 4-wheel drive with a low-range transfer case, Snow and Tow modes, and a fully independent suspension with Hydraulic Body Motion Control. However, its fuel economy was poor, averaging 15 mpg over 580 miles, with EPA ratings of 13 mpg city, 19 highway, and 15 combined for the 4WD model.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator offered multiple Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb with the optional towing package. Its maximum towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist system made towing easier. The Navigator averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. Despite its size, the Navigator's adaptive damping suspension and body motion control provided a hint of athleticism, though it was best suited for open roads and smooth pavement.

The 2019 INFINITI QX80 offered seven-passenger seating with standard second-row captain’s chairs and power-reclining and folding third-row seats. An optional second-row bench allowed for eight passengers. The QX80 provided 95.1 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats flat and 16.6 cubic feet with all seats upright. The interior featured wide twin central armrests, ample storage space, and standard 3-zone climate control. However, it lacked a cooled drink bin and 4-zone climate control, and the heat was slow to warm up in cold conditions.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, passengers found plenty of room to stretch out. The test vehicle’s 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with power-adjustable pedals and a heated steering wheel. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or captain’s chairs with an optional center console. Triple-zone climate control and heated rear seat cushions ensured comfort across all three rows. The Navigator’s third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were also class-leading, with 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 offered even more space.

The 2019 INFINITI QX80’s dash was user-friendly, with large knobs and well-marked buttons. However, the main touchscreen and controls were slow to respond in cold conditions. The instrument panel’s monochrome display was outdated and nearly illegible. The QX80 lacked Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a head-up display, a panoramic moonroof, and massaging seats. The 15-speaker Bose stereo was only adequate. The rear-view mirror’s live camera-feed overlay and the rear entertainment system with USB and HDMI inputs were notable features, but overall, the QX80’s technology was lacking for its price.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator’s Sync 3 infotainment system was slow to load content, but it offered 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 required specific command pathways. The Reserve’s Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system with three listening profiles. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system added dual 10-inch displays, wireless headphones, and media streaming capabilities.

The 2019 INFINITI QX80 came standard with forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Optional features included lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, rear emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The QX80 scored poorly in frontal crash tests by the NHTSA, with 2 out of 5 stars for the driver and 3 for the passenger. It earned 5 stars in side-impact tests and an overall rating of 4 stars. The IIHS had not tested the QX80, and its older body structure was not as strong as it should be.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured 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 earned 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.