2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2019 Jeep Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee underwent a significant design overhaul to address the polarizing styling of its predecessor. The previous model, rumored to have Fiat origins, featured unconventional design elements that were not well-received. Jeep designers took a clean-slate approach, resulting in a more conventional front-end design with a typical headlight-above/fog-light-below configuration. The rear hatch was also redesigned to look more modern, with the license plate frame moved to the center. Inside, the Cherokee's cabin retained its sensible and logical control layout, reminiscent of a downsized Grand Cherokee. The interior blended form and function, offering plenty of storage compartments and a user-friendly design.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious and distinctive styling. Sharing a platform with the Ford Expedition, the Navigator featured unique front and rear styling elements, including a lattice-type grille and an illuminated Lincoln star logo. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system added a touch of elegance, sequentially illuminating the SUV to welcome its owner. The Reserve Monochromatic Package introduced a custom look with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. The Navigator's interior was equally impressive, with mid-century modern styling cues, high-quality materials, and a spacious, comfortable cabin. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats, panoramic glass roof, and advanced digital instrumentation further enhanced the luxurious feel.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee offered a range of engine options, starting with the base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. This engine was standard on the Latitude, Latitude Plus, and FWD Limited trims. The 4WD Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk trims came with a 3.2-liter V6 engine, delivering 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft of torque. A new addition for 2019 was the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, generating 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided solid acceleration but was noisy at higher speeds. The Cherokee featured a 9-speed automatic transmission and various 4WD systems, including Active Drive I, Active Drive II, and Active Drive Lock. The Trailhawk trim, with its off-road suspension and additional ground clearance, excelled in off-road conditions. The Cherokee's towing capacity reached up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 engine and 4,000 pounds with the turbocharged engine. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient variant achieving 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was powered by a single engine choice: a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine outperformed the most powerful version of the Ford Expedition. A 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels, with an option for 4WD. The Navigator featured multiple Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb. The SUV's maximum towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD. Pro Trailer Backup Assist made towing easier by allowing the driver to steer the trailer using a dashboard knob. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, and the engine note was subtle yet aggressive. However, fuel economy was a concern, with an average of 16.4 mpg during testing. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, but impact harshness was noticeable with 22-inch wheels.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee's interior featured a highly functional control layout, carried over from the previous year. The layout allowed drivers to easily reach controls without taking their eyes off the road. Storage solutions included deep pockets in the front doors, a tray by the shifter, and a deep center console. The Cherokee offered an optional hands-free power liftgate, although the sensor was not always reliable. Cargo space was limited, with 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54 cubic feet with the seats folded. These numbers were below average for the compact crossover class, with competitors like the Honda CR-V offering significantly more cargo space.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator provided ample interior space and comfort. Entering the Navigator required climbing up, but available power running boards helped. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the optional Luxury Package, were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the perfect settings took time. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or captain's chairs, with the latter option including a large center console. The third-row seats provided excellent legroom and thigh support, making them comfortable for most passengers. Cargo volumes were 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 in total. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This screen was available on the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims, while higher trims received the larger 8.3-inch Uconnect system. The updated Uconnect system offered crisper graphics, improved responsiveness, and pinch-to-zoom functionality on the navigation system. The touchscreen menu had a user-friendly layout with customizable screens and dock buttons for major features. Uconnect continued to set the standard for infotainment system interfaces.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system, however, was less impressive. It took time to load content, which could be frustrating. Lincoln's parent company, Ford, was rolling out a new Sync 4 platform, but it had not yet reached the Navigator. The current system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, 911 Assist, a Lincoln Way 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 was not as advanced as some competitors. The Reserve's Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, offering three listening profiles: Stereo, Audience, and On Stage. 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 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a full array of front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, hill-start assist, keyless entry with a panic button, and trailer-sway control. The Latitude and Latitude Plus trims offered the SafetyTec Group, adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. The Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk trims could be equipped with the Technology Group, which included forward-collision avoidance and mitigation, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, automatic rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, and a self-parking feature.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). This included 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 with refinement, and the lane-keeping assistance system was subtle yet effective. The lane-departure warning system produced a vibration in the steering wheel, but it was hard to detect at normal sensitivity. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the 2020 model.