2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a mid-sized luxury SUV that balanced sleek styling with traditional SUV elements. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the more upright Range Rover models. The Velar's broad front end maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rover vehicles, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar featured high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments than rugged terrains.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator was a full-sized luxury SUV that emphasized grandeur and comfort. It shared its platform with the Ford Expedition but distinguished itself with unique styling elements, such as the Lincoln Embrace lighting system and a lattice-type grille. The Navigator offered a Reserve Monochromatic Package for a custom look, and its interior was a showcase of luxury with 30-way Perfect Position front seats and mid-century modern styling cues. The Navigator's spacious cabin, panoramic glass roof, and high-quality materials made it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine in its SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, producing 550 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, the Velar's performance was not as sharp as some competitors, and it felt large on tight roads. The Velar's off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, although its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine was mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive as standard and four-wheel drive as an option. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite, to tailor the driving experience. It boasted a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, and its adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, although it felt large around town. The SUV averaged 16.4 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's combined estimate of 18 mpg.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering a unique size that felt larger on the road but didn't translate to more interior space. Its cargo capacity was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. The cockpit-like front seating area was cramped, but the Velar offered a respectable towing capacity of up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator provided ample interior space, with a design that required passengers to climb into the SUV. Its 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, and the second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs. The Navigator's third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were also 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 significantly.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, and smartphone compatibility. The system's graphics and layout were praised, but its slow response times were a drawback. The Velar also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, although these reflected sunlight easily.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was less impressive, with slow loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The system included "Phone As A Key" technology, allowing smartphones to function as vehicle keys. The Navigator's 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience, and additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, but it included standard features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as options. The Velar's safety offerings were less sophisticated compared to some competitors.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard on Reserve trim. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, although its rollover resistance rating was three stars with rear-wheel drive.