2020 Audi Q7 vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, thanks to its distinctive design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers went to great lengths to give the Navigator a unique identity, incorporating different front and rear styling elements and the Lincoln Embrace lighting system, which illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its luxurious appearance. The Reserve Monochromatic Package added further customization with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator boasted a Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, digital instrumentation, and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, all contributing to its status as a luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 offered a more understated yet sophisticated design, with updates that aligned it with the flagship Q8 model. The Q7 55 TFSI, equipped with Navarra Blue metallic paint and Prestige trim, featured new front and rear styling, 20-inch turbine-style wheels, and advanced lighting elements. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with digital displays. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, exuded a high-tech and upscale vibe. The Prestige trim's standard multi-color ambient lighting added a soothing ambiance, making the Q7 a comfortable and stylish choice for luxury SUV enthusiasts.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine outperformed the most powerful version of the Ford Expedition by 50 horsepower and 30 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, and Slippery, to tailor the driving experience. With a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds for rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds for four-wheel drive, the Navigator was a capable towing vehicle. However, its fuel economy was a concern, averaging 16.4 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's combined estimate of 18 mpg. Despite its size, the Navigator's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, lending it a hint of athleticism on open roads.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI featured a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, enhanced by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for improved fuel efficiency. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, the Q7 offered Audi Drive Select with modes like Comfort, Auto, and Dynamic. The Q7 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. During testing, it averaged 21 mpg, surpassing the EPA's combined estimate of 18 mpg. The Prestige trim's adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering provided agility and comfort on various terrains. The Q7 excelled in both urban and mountainous environments, offering a quiet and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample room for passengers to stretch out. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the Luxury Package, provided exceptional comfort, though finding the ideal settings took time. The Navigator's second-row seats could be configured with a bench or captain's chairs, and the third-row seats offered class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was generous, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet in the standard-length model. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively, making it a top choice for passenger comfort and cargo capacity.

The 2020 Audi Q7, while offering three rows of seats, was best suited for five passengers. The third-row seat was cramped and suitable only for young children, with limited cargo space when in use. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity from 14.2 cubic feet to 35.7 cubic feet, with a maximum of 69.6 cubic feet when both rows were folded. The Q7's Prestige trim provided comfortable seating for a family of four, with eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row seats offered ample legroom and thigh support, and the four-zone climate control ensured comfort in varying temperatures. However, the Q7 lacked practical interior storage, with limited space for personal items.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was a weak point, with slow loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, part of the Luxury Package, provided an excellent audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display, though the test vehicle lacked the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the MMI Touch Response technology, featuring a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen and an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. It offered natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Audi Connect services. While the system was generally intuitive, dry fingertips occasionally caused unresponsiveness. The Prestige trim included a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though the latter was replaced by a Bang & Olufsen system in 2021. The Q7's 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was a valuable feature for remote learning and work during the trip.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with trailer coverage. The adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability operated smoothly, and the lane-keeping assistance system was effective. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though its rollover resistance rating was three stars for rear-wheel drive models. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, which provided excellent illumination but were rated "poor" by the IIHS due to excessive glare. The Q7's ADAS offerings included Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist with traffic-jam assistance and lane-centering. However, the traffic-sign recognition system caused issues, leading to unexpected braking. The Active Lane Assist technology was also problematic on certain roads. Despite these challenges, the Q7 received the highest ratings from the IIHS, except for the headlight assessment.