2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Ford Escape was a striking compact crossover, boasting a large grille reminiscent of the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, with headlights inspired by the Ford GT supercar. Its curvaceous design marked a departure from the previous model's upright rear end, which came at the cost of some practicality. Despite this, the Escape remained one of the most attractive small SUVs, trailing only behind the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Escape featured a modern cabin that balanced forward-looking design with practical controls. The test model included a fully digital instrument panel and a floating infotainment screen, contributing to its sleek, contemporary aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design elements, differentiating itself from the Ford Expedition on which it was based. The Navigator featured unique front and rear styling, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The lattice-type grille, illuminated Lincoln star, and full-width taillights were distinctive design hallmarks. The Navigator also offered a Reserve Monochromatic Package, enhancing its custom look with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements, paired with 22-inch black-painted wheels. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, showcased a Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and high-quality materials throughout, making it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered a diverse range of engine options, setting it apart from its competitors. It featured a new 3-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, standard in the S, SE, and SEL trims. Additionally, a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, available on the SEL and standard on the Titanium, delivered 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The hybrid drivetrain, combining a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with electric power, produced 198 horsepower and was standard on the SE Sport and available on the Titanium. The Escape's most powerful engine, the 2.0-liter turbo, excelled on the highway, offering strong performance and responsive handling. The non-Sport hybrid version achieved impressive fuel economy, returning 44 mpg city, 37 highway, and 41 combined.

In comparison, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a single engine choice, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine outperformed the most powerful version of the Ford Expedition by 50 horsepower and 30 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels, with an optional upgrade to four-wheel drive. The Navigator's powertrain was complemented by multiple Lincoln Drive Modes, tailoring performance to various driving conditions. The SUV's towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive. Despite its size, the Navigator offered a hint of athleticism, though it was best suited for open roads. Fuel economy was a downside, with an average of 16.4 mpg during testing.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleek design came at the expense of cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, which dropped to 34.4 cubic feet in hybrid models. With the backseat folded, the Escape provided 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space, or 60.8 cubic feet in upper-level trims. While this was less than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, the Escape prioritized passenger space, offering ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. The front seats provided a commanding view, and the cabin featured numerous storage solutions for everyday use.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, excelled in interior space and comfort. Entering the Navigator required a climb, but once inside, passengers enjoyed generous room to stretch out. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the optional Luxury Package, offered exceptional comfort, though finding the ideal settings took time. The second row could be configured with a bench or captain's chairs, with the latter option including a large center console. The Navigator's third-row seat provided unmatched legroom and thigh support among luxury three-row SUVs. 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 a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements significantly.

The 2020 Ford Escape's base trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio control screen, which stood out as an eyesore in the modern floating screen design. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, upgraded to an 8-inch Sync 3 screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Titanium trim included a head-up display, though its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was less impressive, taking time to load content. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed drivers to use their smartphone as a key. The Reserve's Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, providing a compelling audio experience. 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 2020 Ford Escape came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. It earned the best overall score of Good from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in all phases of testing. The Escape also featured Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced safety systems such as forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems, featuring forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, and a blind-spot warning system with trailer coverage. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though its rollover resistance rating was three stars with rear-wheel drive.