2020 Acura RDX vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Acura RDX closely resembled its 2019 predecessor, maintaining its status as one of the best-looking vehicles in its segment. The imposing grille and rakish headlights replaced the outdated “beak” grille, giving it a modern and aggressive look. The large logo within the grille, though comically oversized, worked well within the overall design. The upper character line swooped from the windshield to the rear hatch, intersected by another line that created the appearance of a large spoiler. Inside, the RDX featured sharp, precise styling with eye-catching red leather upholstery, creating a strong red-and-black interior aesthetic. Standard features included synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. The A-Spec model added unique 20-inch wheels, larger exhaust outlets, and a diamond pattern grille, while the Advance Package offered rain-sensing wipers, 16-way power front seats, and natural Olive Ash wood trim.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its chrome and brightwork, differentiating it from the Ford Expedition on which it was based. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system sequentially illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The lattice-type grille insert, illuminated star logo, and full-width taillights were distinctive design elements. 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, and a panoramic glass roof. Digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and piano-key transmission controls further distinguished the Navigator from the Expedition. The overall look and feel of the Navigator made it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided solid acceleration, making the RDX quick off the line and capable of overtaking cars on the highway. The 10-speed automatic transmission managed power efficiently, contributing to both performance and fuel economy. The Integrated Dynamics System offered Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus drive modes, adjusting throttle response, shift patterns, and steering feel. The A-Spec model with SH-AWD returned an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. Despite the large drive-mode dial and unconventional shifter design taking up valuable dash space, the RDX offered great acceleration and fantastic handling, making it a well-rounded performer.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration and a subtle yet aggressive engine note. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds for RWD and 8,300 pounds for 4WD. Pro Trailer Backup Assist made towing easier by allowing the driver to steer the trailer using a dashboard knob. The Navigator averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined. Despite some impact harshness over imperfect pavement, the Navigator’s body motion control was excellent, lending it a hint of athleticism. However, its size and weight made it best suited for open roads with smooth pavement.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the limits of a “compact” SUV with its spacious cabin and comfortable, supportive front seats. The second row also offered great headroom and decent legroom. The front row had space for large water bottles in the doors and center console, while the second row featured a fold-down center console with cup holders. The RDX provided 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The cargo area was easily accessible, with a helpful cubby and a hidden cargo area beneath the load floor.

Entering the 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, 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 the latter option including a large center console and audio system controls. The third-row seat provided ample legroom and thigh support, making it 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 maximum. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2020 Acura RDX’s infotainment system was a letdown, operated via a touchpad that lacked the logic of similar systems. The True Touchpad Interface required constant attention to ensure the correct selection, negating the simplicity of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard tech features included Bluetooth, two USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 9-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added two more USB ports, navigation, and the ELS premium audio system, while the A-Spec model featured the ELS Studio 3D premium sound system with 16 speakers. The Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator’s Sync 3 infotainment system was slow to load content, but a new Sync 4 platform was on the horizon. In the meantime, Sync 3 provided 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, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system available.

The 2020 Acura RDX came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, LATCH child-seat mounting systems, a tire pressure monitoring system, hill-start assist, and a rear-view camera. It also included driver-assistance features such as lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, road-departure mitigation, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package added front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The Advance Package included a 360-degree surround-view camera and a washer nozzle for the rear-view camera. The 2019 RDX received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured the 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 and lane-keeping assistance operated with refinement and subtlety. The Navigator received a 5-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.