2021 BMW X3 vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design elements, setting it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers gave it unique front and rear styling, a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, and full-width taillights. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system added a welcoming touch, sequentially illuminating the SUV as the owner approached. The Reserve Monochromatic Package, available in White, Ceramic Pearl, and Infinite Black, further enhanced its custom look with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements, paired with 22-inch black-painted wheels.

Inside, the Navigator exuded luxury with its Dark Slate leather interior and 30-way Perfect Position front seats, which included heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The dashboard featured mid-century modern styling cues, digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and piano-key transmission controls. A panoramic glass roof provided natural light, and high-quality materials were used throughout. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, was priced at $92,385, including destination charges.

The 2021 BMW X3, introduced in its third generation in 2018, received updates in 2020, including a plug-in hybrid model and M performance variants. The redesign refined the X3's formula, giving it the presence of larger, more expensive BMW models. The exterior resembled a downsized BMW X5, while the interior featured the brand's signature cold, mechanical styling. Though not as aesthetically pleasing as the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, the X3's dash was more functional.

Trims for the 2021 X3 included sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i, and the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid. Standard features on the sDrive30i and xDrive30i included 18-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, a 10.2-inch infotainment system, navigation, and 10-way power-adjustable front seats. Options included genuine leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a hands-free power liftgate. The M40i trim added 19-inch alloy wheels, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, unique exterior styling, and an M Sport suspension.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Ford Expedition's most powerful version. A 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels, with an optional upgrade to four-wheel drive. Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the powertrain to various driving conditions, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb with the 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 yet aggressive engine note. However, fuel economy was a downside, averaging 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension struggled with impact harshness over imperfect pavement, especially in Excite mode, but body motion control was excellent. The SUV felt huge around town, but a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views improved maneuverability. An automatic hold function was useful in heavy traffic.

The 2021 BMW X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 248 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The sDrive30i had rear-wheel drive, while the xDrive30i featured all-wheel drive. The engine provided solid pickup for city and highway driving. The xDrive30e plug-in hybrid produced 288 horsepower, offering brisk acceleration and a 17-mile electric-only range. Recharging took about 3.5 hours with a 240-volt Level 2 charger or nearly 12 hours with a 120-volt outlet.

For a true performance experience, the M40i trim featured a 382-horsepower twin-turbo inline-six engine, delivering robust acceleration and responsive cornering. The high-performance X3 M model offered 473 horsepower, catering to those needing speed and space for the family.

Entering the 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, but power running boards helped. Inside, passengers enjoyed ample space and comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the optional Luxury Package, were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the perfect settings took time. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two captain's chairs, with an optional center console. Triple-zone climate control and heated rear seats ensured comfort across all rows.

The Navigator's third-row seat provided excellent legroom and thigh support, unmatched by competitors. Cargo volumes were class-leading, 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 offered even more space, with 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2021 BMW X3 offered up to 62.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, among the best in the small luxury SUV segment. With the rear seats in use, it provided 28.7 cubic feet. A power liftgate was standard, with an optional hands-free power liftgate. The X3's interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom in the front row and adult-friendly rear seats.

BMW provided real buttons and dials for the driver and front passenger, complementing the main touchscreen and reducing the learning curve for new users.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive technology, taking time to load content. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a Lincoln Way smartphone and smartwatch app, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed the smartphone to function as the vehicle key. The voice recognition system worked reasonably well but required specific command pathways.

The Reserve's Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system with Stereo, Audience, and On Stage listening profiles. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The test vehicle lacked the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, which featured dual 10-inch displays, wireless headphones, Slingbox access, Roku media streaming, and Apple and Android compatibility.

The 2021 BMW X3 came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running the iDrive infotainment system, which was user-friendly compared to other luxury systems. The combination of touch operation and the iDrive dial in the center console catered to different user preferences. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, with Android Auto as an option. Other options included wireless device charging, a fully digital instrument panel, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system, and gesture control for basic functions.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 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 received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though the rear-wheel-drive model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 BMW X3 came standard with advanced driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, headlights that bend with the road, and a head-up display.