2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was instantly recognizable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. Its industrial look was accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the removable top added to its rugged persona. Inside, the Wrangler's cabin maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, emphasizing utility over luxury. The trims ranged from the basic Sport with manual windows and locks to the off-road king Rubicon, which featured mechanical upgrades and a more upscale interior.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator exuded luxury with its chrome detailing and unique front and rear styling elements. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system welcomed owners with sequential illumination. The Navigator's interior was spacious and luxurious, featuring 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and high-quality materials. The Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom look with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels, making the Navigator a standout in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a variety of engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission was standard, with an 8-speed automatic available. The turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivered 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel generated 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine provided excellent low-speed torque, making it ideal for off-road adventures. However, the Wrangler's on-road performance was less refined, with significant road noise and a rough ride. Fuel economy for the diesel engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a single engine choice: a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, and its adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control. However, the ride could be harsh over imperfect pavement, especially with the 22-inch wheels. Fuel economy was a downside, with an average of 16.4 mpg during testing and an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. The Navigator's towing capacity was impressive, with a maximum of 8,700 pounds for rear-wheel drive models.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two-door and four-door Unlimited configurations. The four-door Unlimited was the more popular choice, offering more interior space and versatility. The Wrangler's removable doors, fold-down windshield, and retractable roof added to its appeal. The base soft top could be partially or fully retracted, while the hardtop provided better protection from the elements. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench lowered, but this was less than what other less-capable SUVs provided.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, passengers enjoyed ample space and comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, and the second-row captain's chairs with a large center console added to the luxury. The third-row seat provided excellent legroom and thigh support, making it comfortable for most passengers. Cargo space was class-leading, with the standard-length model offering 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 103.3 cubic feet with all seats folded. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims came with a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara trims offered a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional 8.4-inch Uconnect system added navigation, HD Radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Alpine premium audio system provided excellent sound quality, even at highway speeds.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was less impressive, with slow loading times. However, it included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed drivers to use their smartphone as a key. The Reserve's Luxury Package added a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, providing a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display, though the test vehicle lacked the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features such as airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. These features were particularly helpful given the Wrangler's awkward sightlines.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator included the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems. This package featured forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the rollover resistance rating for RWD models was just three stars.