2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV, reflecting the refined side of the Jeep brand, much like the Grand Cherokee. It came in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special edition trim upgrades available. Prices started at $22,280 for a Compass Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, while a fully loaded Compass Limited with all-wheel drive could reach up to $39,755. Despite its upscale features, the Compass had some cost-cutting measures that detracted from its overall appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator exuded elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton truck. It shared some design elements with the Ford Expedition but stood out with its unique features and luxurious feel. The Navigator Reserve, priced at $92,000, impressed with its Pristine White exterior, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo. The interior boasted seven color palettes, high-quality materials, and advanced technology, making it a standout in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. However, it was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and an average fuel economy of 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 25 mpg. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly, and the suspension allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. Despite these drawbacks, the Compass offered decent off-road capability, especially in the Trailhawk trim with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt sprightly and responsive. It offered a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. While fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power. The adaptive dampers provided a comfortable ride, though not as supple as some competitors.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a new-for-2020 Luxury Seat Group, adding premium leather, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. However, storage room inside the cabin was limited, and the cupholders were awkwardly positioned.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator provided ample space, accommodating six adults comfortably. It offered 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L increased these figures to 34, 73, and 120 cubic feet, respectively. The Navigator Reserve featured heated rear second-row seats, a three-zone climate system, and a high driving position for excellent visibility. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, though parking the large vehicle could be challenging.

The 2020 Jeep Compass came with an excellent Uconnect infotainment system, featuring an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and 4G LTE WiFi. The system was intuitive and easy to use, though some features were buried in menus. Voice recognition worked well, and the navigation system and Alpine premium audio system provided decent sound quality.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's technology felt slightly outdated compared to newer competitors. It had a 10-inch touchscreen, a 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo, and onboard 4G WiFi. The software was intuitive, but the system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Voice recognition was fast and accurate, and the rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming. The Navigator also featured a smartwatch app and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. However, the adaptive cruise control could be overly reactive, and the lane-keeping assist was sometimes too insistent. The Compass received Good ratings in most IIHS crash tests but had mixed ratings from NHTSA.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from NHTSA, with five stars in most tests except for rollover resistance. It came standard with 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 some competitors.