2021 Audi Q3 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 that sequentially illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille insert mimicking the Lincoln star logo, an illuminated star in the center, fender vents with simulated exposed front door hinges, and full-width taillights. Black roof pillars, except those framing the windshield, gave the Navigator’s glass a wraparound appearance. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom look with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements, combined with 22-inch black-painted wheels. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, extra-cost paint, and both the Luxury and Reserve Monochromatic option packages, was priced at $92,385, including the $1,295 destination charge.

Inside, the Navigator’s Dark Slate leather interior, part of the Luxury Package, included Lincoln’s 30-way Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The dashboard featured mid-century modern styling cues, a wide two-tiered storage console, digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and piano-key transmission controls. A panoramic glass roof bathed the interior in natural light, and high-quality materials were used throughout. The overall look and feel of the Lincoln Navigator made it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured a massive Audi corporate grille that paired well with its stout, chunky styling, presenting the “idea” of utility and dynamic handling while primarily delivering on the latter. The cabin echoed a mechanical, modern aesthetic with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen, putting one of the Q3’s top features front and center. When this interior debuted with the redesigned Q3 for the 2019 model year, it was a standout design. However, Volkswagen’s newer interiors had similar designs, making the Q3 and other Audi cabins feel modern and refined, but not as special.

Trims for the 2021 Audi Q3 included Premium and Premium Plus. The Premium trim featured leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Other standard features included a power liftgate, four USB ports, and several high-tech driver assistance features. The Premium Plus trim added remote start, pushbutton start, remote keyless entry, wireless device charging, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Technology Package, costing $2,700, added a larger touchscreen, a premium stereo, and a digital instrument panel.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, which was 50 more horses and 30 more lb-ft of torque than the most powerful version of the Ford Expedition. A 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels unless upgraded to four-wheel drive. Multiple Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the powertrain to specific driving situations, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb with the optional towing package. The Navigator’s maximum towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist.

Acceleration from the twin-turbo V6 was strong, with a subtle engine note. However, it lacked the resonant signature sound of a V8 engine. The Navigator averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with the EPA rating it at 18 mpg in combined driving. The SUV’s 22-inch wheels and 285/45 tires caused impact harshness over imperfect pavement, especially in Excite mode, but body motion control was excellent. The Navigator felt huge around town, but a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views helped maneuverability. An automatic hold function was useful in heavy traffic.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim’s engine was tuned to 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The base MSRP was $2,000 lower, with the 228-hp engine as a $2,000 option. The more potent powertrain felt lively and provided solid power for passing, especially in Sport mode, which quickened throttle response and altered transmission mapping for harder acceleration. Audi’s Drive Select offered Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road modes, with the latter best for light dirt trails.

The base engine had noticeable turbo lag, especially under hard acceleration or when accelerating to pass on the highway. The Q3’s handling was nimble, with a comfortable ride that balanced engagement and refinement. It wasn’t a sports car, but it was enjoyable to drive without compromising ride quality.

Entering the 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, akin to ascending a short flight of stairs, though available power running boards helped. Inside, passengers found plenty of room to stretch out in comfort. The test vehicle’s 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the Luxury Package, were exceptionally comfortable but required time to find the perfect settings. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two-passenger captain’s chairs, with the latter option including a large center console with audio system controls. Triple-zone climate control ensured comfort across all three rows, and the test vehicle had heated rear seat cushions.

The Navigator’s third-row seat provided ample legroom and thigh support, unmatched by competitors. 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 a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2021 Audi Q3 provided 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the space behind the seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the cargo space with the rear seats folded was subpar for the class. However, the Q3 made up for this with its passenger space. The front seats were comfortable and provided plenty of deep cargo pockets. The rear seats offered impressive headroom and legroom, accommodating four passengers comfortably for a road trip, provided they packed light.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator’s Sync 3 infotainment system was the least impressive piece of technology, taking time to load content. However, it provided Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, 911 Assist, a Lincoln Way smartphone and smartwatch app, 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 but required specific command pathways. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, part of the Reserve’s Luxury Package, produced a compelling 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 2021 Audi Q3 featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI system, with standard Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. The upgraded system included a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation. Other available features were wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit replaced the conventional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display that could present the navigation map across nearly the entire screen.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360, a collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, a blind-spot warning system with trailer coverage, a rear cross-traffic warning system, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance operated with refinement and subtlety. The SUV received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though the rollover resistance rating for RWD models was three stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional driver assistance features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Available features included a 360-degree camera system, front-and-rear parking sensors, and self-parking assist for parallel and perpendicular parking spots.