2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

When shopping for a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, buyers chose between SE, SEL, and Limited trim levels. Models with "2.0T" in their name featured a turbocharged engine for enhanced power and performance. All-wheel drive (AWD) was optional, allowing the automatic transmission to transfer power from the front wheels to the rear wheels when necessary. Aside from these choices, buyers selected paint color, interior color, and dealer-installed accessories. The test vehicle had Limited 2.0T trim and dealer-installed floor mats, bringing the price to $39,170.

The Santa Fe's design was bold and experimental, which might not appeal to everyone. Controversial elements included the grille shape, stacked front lighting, asymmetrical fender stampings, and oversized rear "skid plate" trim. Inside, the dual-cowl dashboard design and diamond-textured speaker grilles added character. However, the materials quality didn't quite match the high-style design, with glossy plastic and stiff leather seat upholstery. Despite this, build quality was excellent, and the controls operated with refinement.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but distinguished itself with unique design elements. The Navigator Reserve, priced at $92,000, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. Rectilinear shapes defined the grille, windows, headlights, and taillight assembly, with chrome accents adding a touch of class. The Pristine White test vehicle with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes and finer details like layered wood trim and a floating center console. Materials were high-quality, and panel gaps were tight. The Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, making them incredibly comfortable. While the Navigator's interior was luxurious, it lacked some of the more advanced features found in competitors like the Range Rover.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe had a minimum curb weight of 3,591 pounds and a maximum of 3,946 pounds. The standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine was underwhelming, so the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque was the better choice. This engine provided a significant performance boost, especially at higher altitudes. The eight-speed automatic transmission funneled power to the front wheels, with AWD as an option. The test vehicle had FWD, which suffered from torque steer under hard acceleration. Properly equipped, the Santa Fe could tow up to 3,500 pounds. The EPA estimated 23 mpg in combined driving for the 2.0T front-driver, and the test model returned 22.1 mpg. The Santa Fe offered a smooth ride, decent handling, and a quiet highway experience, making it a good daily driver.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt surprisingly sprightly for 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, which matched the EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the superior control and handling of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Despite this, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered thoughtful attention to detail, with creative storage spaces and stain-resistant fabric in cloth-seat versions. The test vehicle had eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel. The dual-zone automatic climate control system included a Clean Air ionizer, and the air conditioning was effective even with the panoramic sunroof. The back seat was comfortable for adults, with air conditioning vents, rear side-window sunshades, and heated bottom cushions. However, cargo space was limited, with 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and a maximum of 71.3 cubic feet. The hands-free "smart" liftgate was a convenient feature.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had ample interior space, accommodating six adults comfortably. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children. The boxy shape provided generous cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a handy feature for loading and unloading. The Navigator Reserve had 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.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's touchscreen infotainment system was user-friendly, with stereo control knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and a programmable button. Every Santa Fe had Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services with three free years of service. The Limited trim included a larger 8-inch display, navigation, a surround-view camera, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround sound system. The head-up display provided useful information, and the voice recognition system was sophisticated and responsive.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer systems. While the software was intuitive and unique to Lincoln, it was slow to react. The Navigator lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. However, 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. Lincoln's remote app functions were included for five years, with SiriusXM traffic data for six years. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connections.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. The SEL trim added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and a safe exit assist system. The SEL Convenience Package included an ultrasonic occupant alert system. The Limited trim featured a Blind-Spot View Monitor.

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. Optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row were a rare safety feature. 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 not as advanced as competitors.