2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. A performance-tuned Audi SQ7 with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was also available. The Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $60,800, came in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. The test vehicle, a Prestige model, featured Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, totaling $74,290. Design updates for 2020 included new front and rear styling, wheels, and lighting elements, enhancing the Q7's appearance. The interior adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing physical controls with three digital displays. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash natural wood inlays, exuded an upscale and high-tech vibe, with multi-color ambient lighting adding a soothing ambiance at night.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, priced at $92,000 for the Reserve model, aimed for elegance and understatement despite its three-ton weight and 22-inch wheels. The exterior featured simple rectilinear shapes, body-color grille, and a few chrome accents, with the Pristine White example showcasing a white-painted grille, black wheels, and an illuminated Lincoln logo. The interior impressed with seven color palettes, including the Slate Gray of the test truck, and details like wood trim layered behind the 10-inch touchscreen and a floating center console with chromed switches. Materials were high-quality, and panel gaps were tight. The Perfect Position seats offered 30 adjustments, providing exceptional comfort. The Navigator's cabin felt spacious and luxurious, with a focus on refinement and power.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI featured a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to conserve fuel. The engine, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive, accelerated the 5,082-pound SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The Q7 had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds and an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined, with real-world tests averaging 21 mpg. The Prestige trim included an adaptive air suspension, with Audi Drive Select offering various driving modes. The Q7 excelled in both on-road and off-road conditions, providing speedy acceleration and a quiet cabin, thanks to dual-pane acoustic side window glass.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) options. The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, with a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. Fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, matching the EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a less refined ride compared to competitors, with looser steering and softer brakes. However, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser, with paddle shifters adding a touch of sportiness.

The 2020 Audi Q7, with three rows of seats, was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat was suitable only for young children, with limited cargo space when in use. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity from 14.2 cubic feet to 35.7 cubic feet, and folding both rows provided 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7's interior was comfortable for a family of four, with agreeable front seats and ample second-row legroom. The test vehicle's four-zone climate control, heated rear seats, and panoramic sunroof added to the comfort. However, interior storage was limited, with the center console and dashboard screen taking up most of the space.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample space, with a tall boxy shape accommodating six adults comfortably. The third row's middle seat was suitable only for children, with power-folding and raising features. The second row featured manually-reclining captain's chairs, with an optional bench for eight-passenger capacity. Cargo space was generous, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, adding convenience. The Navigator Reserve had heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate, with an optional console for integrated controls. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility and a high driving position.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen with an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth imagery, and Audi Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. While the system was generally intuitive, dry fingertips sometimes made the virtual buttons unresponsive. The Prestige trim featured a head-up display, a Bose premium sound system, and extensive use of the WiFi hotspot for remote learning and work.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer competitors. The infotainment system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo that was good but not exceptional. The software was intuitive, sharing its interface with Ford but with a unique Lincoln skin. Voice recognition was fast and accurate, but there were no onboard apps or wireless software updates. The Navigator included 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. Rear entertainment included Roku media streaming and various connections, with drive mode animations on the instrument panel.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, which provided excellent illumination but were rated "poor" by the IIHS for excessive glare. The Q7 included numerous advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS), with upgrades available in the Executive Package or Prestige trim. Highlights included Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist with adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assistance, and lane-centering assistance. However, the traffic-sign recognition system and Active Lane Assist proved problematic. The Q7 received the highest ratings from the IIHS, except for the "poor" headlight assessment.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance in 4WD models and three stars for RWD models. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator lacked knee airbags but offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering and lane-tracking capabilities were less competent than competitors.