2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, significantly larger than the two-row QX50 and three-row QX60. For the 2020 model year, Infiniti offered the QX80 in two trim levels: Luxe and Limited. The exterior, refreshed in 2018, boasted a commanding presence with modern details such as welcome lights, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, courtesy lights, and a reverse tilt-down feature. It also featured LED fog lights, headlight washers, adaptive front lighting with auto-leveling functionality, and LED taillights. Automatic on/off LED headlights with high beam assist illuminated the road ahead.

The QX80 included comfort and convenience features like body-color running boards with integrated splash guards, a power-sliding tinted moonroof with one-touch open/close, a skid plate, rear privacy glass, roof rails, and stainless steel running board caps. Buyers could choose from nine paint jobs and three interior color schemes: Wheat, Graphite, and Saddle Brown. Limited-grade models featured matte silver and open-pore Ash wood trim. While the cabin materials had improved, some trim pieces still lagged behind competitors. The infotainment system had been updated to a sleeker, more modern display, but the center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator 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 three-ton weight and 22-inch wheels. Rectilinear shapes defined the grille, windows, headlights, and taillight assembly, with chrome accents adding a touch of class. The Pristine White model with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes, including the Slate Gray of the test truck. The wood trim layered behind the 10-inch touchscreen, the push-button gear selector, the floating center console with chromed switches, and the minimalist digital instrument panel all contributed to a muted, modern aesthetic. Materials were high-quality, and panel gaps were tight. Black Label trims offered even more luxurious textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 ways, provided exceptional comfort. While the Navigator's ride wasn't as supple as the Cadillac Escalade's, its overall refinement and power were impressive.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, shared with the Nissan Armada, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode, the QX80 delivered a measured roll to full speed. Despite its heavy weight, the powertrain managed the load well, though the transmission was clunky when downshifting compared to the 10-speed automatics in GM and Ford products. Fuel efficiency was a weak point, with the RWD model getting 14 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg combined. The 4WD model fared slightly worse.

The QX80 Luxe offered both rear- and four-wheel drivetrains, while the Limited came standard with 4WD. The SUV was capable off-road, with Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes. Two steering systems were available: engine-speed-sensitive power-assist steering for the Luxe and vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assist steering for the Limited. The QX80's light wheel feel made low-speed navigation easy, but high-speed steering required constant attention. The optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system and standard rear auto-leveling suspension contributed to a relatively smooth ride and an 8,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbo V6 engine 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 sounded terrific. 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, with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined.

Adaptive dampers were standard, but the suspension felt rudimentary compared to the Escalade's magnetic shocks and air springs. The Navigator's ride was less supple, and the steering and brakes lacked the precision of the Escalade. However, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser. Paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness with quick reaction times and rev-matched downshifts.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, but the third row was tight, best suited for small children or pets. Standard seating for seven included captain’s chairs in the second row, with an optional 60/40 split-folding bench. The leather-appointed seats were available in perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery, with Alcantara seats featuring quilting, contrast piping, and stitching as an option. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable with two-way power lumbar support, while the passenger’s seat was eight-way power-adjustable with the same lumbar support. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with heated outboard second-row seats available. A heated, leather-wrapped, tilting, and telescoping steering wheel was standard, along with a dual-occupant memory system for the driver’s seat, mirrors, and steering wheel.

The QX80 offered 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seats folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, with its tall box shape, provided ample space for six adults. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children. Standard manually-reclining and tilting captain's chairs in the second row could be replaced with a bench for a total of eight passengers. Cargo space was generous, 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 convenient feature for packed cargo areas.

The Navigator Reserve featured heated rear second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The optional second-row console mimicked the front with integrated climate and stereo controls. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with separate left and right thigh extensions, thigh bolsters, torso bolsters, an upper backrest tilt, a four-way headrest, three-way lumbar, and two massage programs. The large windows and high driving position provided excellent visibility, though parking was challenging despite the 360-degree cameras.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came with an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for navigation and audio system information to be displayed simultaneously. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, a CD player, a 12-volt outlet, and four USB ports. Upgrades included two 8.0-inch displays, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a WiFi hotspot. The standard 13-speaker Bose stereo could be upgraded to a 17-speaker system. SiriusXM services, including Travel Link and Traffic, were available with a four-year trial period. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer systems. The instrument panel couldn't show full-screen maps or different designs, and the cameras were low-resolution. The infotainment system couldn't wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The software was intuitive, sharing its interface with Fords but with a unique Lincoln skin. Voice recognition was fast and accurate, but there were no onboard apps or wireless software updates through the vehicle's modem.

The Navigator included 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 other USB, HDMI, and wireless connections. Drive mode animations were a nice touch, and the simplicity of the Lincoln's system was a relief compared to more complex competitors.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, being an older model, lacked some of the latest driver-assist features but still offered a good roster of standard and available technology. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and automatic collision notification. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, distance-control assist, and lane-keep assist. The QX80 received "good" scores in moderate overlap front and side crash tests from the IIHS and had better crashworthiness from the side than the front according to the NHTSA, with a moderate risk of rollover.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. Knee airbags were not offered, but inflatable rear seat belts for the second row were optional. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, though the Navigator's self-steering and lane-tracking capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.