2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Hyundai Palisade

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade was a standout in terms of styling, with a design that could easily be mistaken for a luxury brand. Its bold appearance was marked by a massive grille and sleek, thin headlights, complemented by a unique LED character line. The use of chrome was distinctive, with a large strip running from the A-pillar over the side windows, adding a touch of elegance while breaking up the vehicle's length. Inside, the Palisade offered an upscale cabin with a digital instrument panel and a large touchscreen, creating a luxurious feel. The Limited trim, in particular, impressed with its high-quality leather upholstery and ambient lighting, making it a handsome and eye-catching SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator exuded elegance and understatement, despite its massive size. Its design featured simple rectilinear shapes, with a body-color grille and a few chrome accents for a classy look. The Pristine White model with black wheels and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking. Inside, the Navigator's interior was impressive, with seven color palettes and a focus on finer details. The Slate Gray interior of the test model showcased a modern and muted design, with high-quality materials and tight panel gaps. The Perfect Position seats offered incredible adjustability, making the Navigator feel luxurious and comfortable.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, providing solid acceleration and smooth power delivery. The Palisade offered various drive modes, including Sport, Comfort, Eco, Snow, and Smart, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. The Limited trim featured a self-leveling rear suspension, enhancing driving dynamics and comfort. Fuel economy for the Palisade was respectable, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined for the FWD model, and slightly lower for the AWD version.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, provided impressive acceleration and a thrilling sound. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered both RWD and 4WD options, with a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens, with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined. While the Navigator's adaptive dampers were standard, its suspension felt less refined compared to competitors, and the steering and brakes lacked the precision found in other luxury SUVs.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade excelled in versatility, offering 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row down and 86.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The third row was spacious enough for adults on longer trips, and the second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and convenience. The Palisade's interior was well-designed, with multiple cup holders and ample storage space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered a vast interior, capable of accommodating six adults comfortably. With 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total, it provided ample storage. The Navigator L model offered even more space. The second-row captain's chairs were standard, with an optional bench for additional seating. The front seats were highly adjustable and luxurious, providing excellent visibility and comfort. However, parking the Navigator was challenging due to its size, despite the 360-degree cameras.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with tactile buttons and dials for easy navigation. The SEL trim offered an optional Driver Guidance package, which included a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and other features. The Limited trim boasted a Harman Kardon premium audio system and advanced tech features like a surround-view monitor and head-up display.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's technology felt slightly outdated, with a 10-inch touchscreen that seemed small compared to newer models. While the software was intuitive, it lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. However, the Navigator offered features like onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connectivity options.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade received the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It came with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and a unique blind-spot camera system. The digital instrument panel provided clear information to the driver, enhancing safety.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with some variations in rollover resistance ratings. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control was optional, and the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.