2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, setting itself apart from its Ford Expedition roots. It featured unique front and rear styling, a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, and Lincoln Embrace lighting that welcomed owners. The Navigator's design included black roof pillars for a wraparound glass appearance and a new Reserve Monochromatic Package that added custom paint options and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator boasted a Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and high-quality materials, creating a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the A-Spec Package, offered a sporty yet subtle design. It avoided excessive off-road styling cues, focusing instead on daily driving and road-tripping. The A-Spec trim added sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting, creating a sporty interior. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were hard to read. Despite this, the RDX's interior delivered a sporty look and feel, with quality materials and a unique cabin design.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Ford Expedition's power. It came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite. The Navigator's towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Despite its size, the Navigator exhibited strong acceleration and excellent body motion control, though fuel economy averaged 16.4 mpg.

The 2021 Acura RDX, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and optional SH-AWD for improved handling. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes, enhancing the driving experience. The RDX A-Spec's handling was aided by Shark Gray 20-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, though it lacked adaptive dampers. The RDX offered precise steering and fade-resistant brakes, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator provided ample interior space, with 30-way Perfect Position front seats and a choice between a three-person bench or captain's chairs in the second row. The third-row seat offered exceptional legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with up to 103.3 cubic feet in the standard model and 120.2 cubic feet in the Navigator L. The Navigator's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with features like triple-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space. The A-Spec trim featured comfortable front seats with 12-way power adjustment, though rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion. Cargo volume measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat, with additional storage compartments for organization. Folding the rear seats provided 58.9 cubic feet of cargo space, competitive but not class-leading. The RDX's interior design prioritized utility and practicality.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, with slow loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Lincoln Connect services. The Luxury Package included 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 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface, a touch-sensing pad on the center console. While it improved upon Lexus's approach, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Key by Amazon In-Car Delivery. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering excellent sound quality. Despite its innovative approach, the TTI system was not ideal for minimizing driver distraction.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It included features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Navigator earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its rollover resistance rating was three stars with RWD. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured AcuraWatch, a collection of safety features including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available with the Technology Package. The RDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.