2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. The second generation, updated in 2019, carried over to 2020 with angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille, giving it a crossover version of the Fusion look. Inside, the Edge showed its age with a layout unchanged since 2015, despite subtle updates. The center console had small, awkwardly arranged controls, but the rotary shifter was a contemporary design cue. The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, though marred by heavy use of hard plastics.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, while sharing its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition, stood out with its unique design and luxurious feel. The Navigator's elegance and understatement were evident despite its massive size and 22-inch wheels. The exterior featured simple rectilinear shapes, body-color grille, and a few chrome accents, while the interior impressed with seven color palettes and finer details like layered wood trim and a floating center console. The materials were top-notch, and the Perfect Position seats offered 30-way adjustments, making the Navigator feel plush and refined.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided solid low-end acceleration but struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, soaking up potholes while remaining refined and engaging to drive. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard AWD. The ST's heavy steering and fantastic cornering made it feel like a smaller car, and its Sport mode enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, made the Navigator feel sprightly despite its size. 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, and the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors. The Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it ideal for highway driving, with paddle shifters adding a touch of sportiness.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and plenty of cubbies and compartments. The second-row head- and legroom were ample, and the two rows provided were spacious and comfortable. The Edge offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was more than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano but slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had the square footage of a small bedroom, comfortably housing six adults. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children, and the second-row captain's chairs could be replaced with a bench for eight-passenger capacity. The Navigator offered 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, and the second-row seats were heated with a three-zone climate system. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with large windows and a high driving position enhancing visibility.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with a row of icons at the bottom and a home button for easy navigation. Optional features included a voice-activated navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, and a semi-digital instrument panel. The Edge also offered a dual rear-seat entertainment system with screens in the front headrests.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer systems, and its instrument panel couldn't show full-screen maps or different designs. The cameras were low-res, and the infotainment system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the software was intuitive, with a unique Lincoln interface. The Navigator included onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. The rear entertainment system featured Roku media streaming and various connections, and drive mode changes triggered beautiful animations on the instrument panel.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package with adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for 4WD models and three stars for RWD models in rollover resistance. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator. 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 capabilities were less advanced than competitors.