2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery. The 2020 model refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels and giving it a lower, more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt cheap, with low-grade vinyl and rough-grained plastic dominating the cabin. The switchgear felt solid, but the overall interior quality did not match the price, making it feel either too expensive or not luxurious enough.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. The simple rectilinear shapes of the grille, windows, headlights, and taillight assembly, combined with a few splashes of chrome, kept things classy. The Pristine White example with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven color palettes and finer details like layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were top-notch, and the panel gaps were tight, making the Navigator feel luxurious and well-built. The Perfect Position seats, with their 30-way adjustability, added to the overall comfort and refinement.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of engines and a rear-wheel-drive chassis, providing a more balanced weight distribution. The ST trim, with its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, was particularly impressive. The 10-speed automatic transmission delivered smooth power, and the ST's suspension and steering, tuned by Ford Performance, provided a nimble and precise driving experience. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. Towing capacity varied from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine and drivetrain. The Explorer's seven drive modes allowed for optimal performance in various conditions.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a single, but incredible, engine: a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt sprightly and responsive. The 4WD system was smooth and efficient, and the towing capacity was impressive at 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, the Navigator's fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens. The adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors. The steering and brakes were looser and less precise, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered ample space for passengers and cargo. The second row felt like first class with air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row was more spacious than the previous model, accommodating six-foot-tall adults for short journeys. Cargo space was 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches made it easy to use, but the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had the square footage of a small bedroom, comfortably seating six adults. The boxy shape provided ample cargo space: 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more space. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for loading and unloading. The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with a high driving position providing excellent visibility. However, parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size and fuzzy 360-degree cameras.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system was well-organized and high-resolution, but not particularly innovative. The digital instrument panel featured fun animations but lacked customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ semi-automated driving system was available but not as advanced as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer systems. The instrument panel couldn't show full-screen maps, and the cameras were low-resolution. However, the software was intuitive and easy to use, with fast and accurate voice recognition. The Navigator offered 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 included Roku media streaming and various connection options. Drive mode animations added a touch of elegance to the instrument panel.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer had not been fully tested by the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator. The Navigator offered automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams as standard. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as competitors.