2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator, sharing its platform with the Ford Expedition, distinguished itself with unique front and rear styling elements and the Lincoln Embrace lighting system. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added body-color grille and side mirror enhancements with 22-inch black-painted wheels. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, was priced at $92,385 and included the Luxury and Reserve Monochromatic option packages. Inside, the Dark Slate leather interior boasted 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a dashboard with mid-century modern styling cues, and a panoramic glass roof.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, was larger than the QX50 and QX60. It came in two trims: Luxe and Limited. The QX80's exterior, refreshed in 2018, featured modern details like welcome lights, power-folding mirrors, LED fog lights, and adaptive front lighting. The SUV also had body-color running boards, a power-sliding moonroof, and roof rails. Buyers could choose from nine paint jobs and three interior color schemes. The cabin, though improved in quality, had some trim pieces that didn’t match the luxury of its competitors. The infotainment system was updated to a sleeker display, but the center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. The Navigator's towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The SUV averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined. Despite its size, the Navigator's body motion control was excellent, though it felt huge around town. Features like a tight turning radius, parking assist, and numerous camera views helped with maneuverability.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was equipped with a 5.6-liter V8 engine generating 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The QX80's fuel efficiency was a drawback, with the RWD model getting 14 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined, and the 4WD model getting 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined. The QX80 offered Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes and had two steering systems: engine-speed-sensitive for Luxe models and vehicle-speed-sensitive for Limited models. The SUV's Hydraulic Body Motion Control system and rear auto-leveling suspension provided a relatively smooth ride, and it had an 8,500-pound towing capacity.

Entering the 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, but once inside, passengers found plenty of room. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, and the second row offered a choice between a bench or captain’s chairs. The third-row seat provided ample legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with the standard-length model offering 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet maximum. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 had plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, but the third row had limited legroom, best suited for small children. The SUV offered seating for seven with standard captain’s chairs in the second row, or a 60/40 split-folding bench. The leather-appointed seats were available in perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery, with Alcantara seats as an option. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable, and the passenger’s seat was eight-way power-adjustable. The QX80 had 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 both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was slow to load content, but it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed the smartphone to act as the vehicle key. The voice recognition system worked reasonably well, though it required specific command pathways. The test vehicle included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, a surround-view camera system, and a head-up display. The optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system was not included in the test vehicle.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 featured an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for split functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, a CD player, and four USB ports. Upgrades included two 8.0-inch displays, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a WiFi hot spot. The standard audio system was a 13-speaker Bose stereo, with a 17-speaker Bose system available. SiriusXM services came with a complimentary four-year trial period.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. 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, though the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, though older, had a good roster of standard and available safety features. Standard 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 IIHS rated the QX80 "good" in moderate overlap front and side crash tests, and the NHTSA rated it better in side crashes than front, with a moderate rollover risk.