2020 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared the dynamic styling characteristic of the Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. The subtle uptick in the belt-line around the rear side windows masked the size of the Pilot, giving it a more svelte appearance. Inside, the Pilot boasted a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, combining analog fuel and engine-temperature gauges with a digital screen for other information. The cabin felt comfortable and spacious, though it used hard plastics in many areas, making it less upscale compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its chrome and brightwork, differentiating it from the Ford Expedition on which it was based. The Navigator featured unique front and rear styling elements, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that sequentially illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The lattice-type grille insert mimicked the Lincoln star logo, and the illuminated star in the center added a touch of elegance. The Navigator also offered a new Reserve Monochromatic Package with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels, further elevating its custom look.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, available with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX, EX, and EX-L trims came with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims featured a 9-speed automatic transmission for more refined acceleration and better fuel economy. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered drive modes like Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand, enhancing its capability in various conditions.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the option of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, as well as Slow Climb with the optional towing package. The Navigator's towing capacity was impressive, at 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD. Despite its size, the Navigator exhibited excellent body motion control and a hint of athleticism, though it was best suited for open roads and smooth pavement.

The 2020 Honda Pilot provided a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims featured second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The Pilot's third row was adult-friendly, and EX trims and higher offered one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot offered 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot also featured numerous storage spaces for family gear, and higher trims included a power liftgate and hands-free power tailgate.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, passengers enjoyed ample room and comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the optional Luxury Package, were exceptionally comfortable, though it took time to find the ideal settings. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or captain’s chairs, with the latter option including a large center console. The Navigator's third row provided unmatched legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with the standard-length model offering up to 103.3 cubic feet and the longer Navigator L providing up to 120.2 cubic feet.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen and a 215-watt, 7-speaker stereo with a subwoofer. Higher trims included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system's layout was confusing, and it lacked a tuning knob. Additional features on higher trims included HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Cabin Control Remote Capability, navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a 590-watt, 10-speaker premium audio system. The Elite and Black Edition trims also offered a wireless charging pad.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was less impressive, taking time to load content. However, it included 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 system's voice recognition worked reasonably well, though it required specific command pathways. The Reserve’s Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, and additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite of driver assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, Vehicle Stability Assist, and traction control. Optional safety equipment included front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Pilot earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and the best crash test score of Good from the IIHS.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems, such as 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 also featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator earned a five-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.