2021 BMW X7 vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that differentiated it from its Ford Expedition roots. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system added a welcoming touch, while the lattice-type grille and illuminated star logo enhanced its distinctive appearance. The Navigator's design included unique elements like fender vents, full-width taillights, and a wraparound glass look. The Reserve Monochromatic Package offered a custom look with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator exuded luxury with Dark Slate leather, 30-way Perfect Position front seats, and a mid-century modern dashboard. High-quality materials and a panoramic glass roof contributed to its upscale feel.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW X7 impressed with its interior quality and technological sophistication. It boasted more prestige than some competitors and a significant visual presence. The X7's styling was appealing, with traditional BMW cues and a massive grille that suited its large SUV stature. Inside, the X7 shared design elements with the X5, offering high-tech features, high-quality materials, and intuitive controls. The test vehicle featured premium extended leather, a leather-wrapped dashboard, and an Alcantara suede headliner. The X7's interior was both luxurious and functional, providing a comfortable and stylish environment for passengers.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine outperformed the Ford Expedition's most powerful version by 50 horsepower and 30 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels, with an option for four-wheel drive. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, and more, tailoring the powertrain to various driving conditions. Its maximum towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, though its fuel economy averaged 16.4 mpg. Despite its size, the Navigator's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, making it suitable for open roads.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. It incorporated BMW's eBoost mild-hybrid technology, enhancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The X7's eight-speed sport automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel-drive system contributed to its smooth performance. Despite the eBoost technology, the X7's fuel economy ratings dropped slightly, with a combined rating of 21 mpg. The X7 accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, showcasing its power. However, its self-leveling air suspension struggled with excessive body motions, affecting driving enjoyment. The X7 excelled in providing a smooth and serene ride, with features like Active Comfort Drive and Integral Active Steering enhancing comfort and maneuverability.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious interior, with ample room for passengers to stretch out comfortably. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats 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 seat offered impressive legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was 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. The longer Navigator L model provided even more cargo capacity.

The 2021 BMW X7's interior was equally luxurious, featuring heated and ventilated front seats, premium Merino leather upholstery, and a five-zone climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, though accessing the third row required some maneuvering. The X7's third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably, and the power clamshell tailgate revealed a small cargo space behind it. With the third-row seats folded, the X7 offered 48.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 90.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. While not class-leading, the X7's interior was well-appointed and functional.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive technology, with slow loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. The system's voice recognition worked reasonably well, though it required specific command pathways. The Reserve's 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 BMW X7 featured the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both with 12.3-inch displays. The iDrive system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, enhanced SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro with real-time traffic and parking information. Wireless smartphone charging and a natural voice-recognition system were also included. The test vehicle had a head-up display, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses. The iDrive system offered a better user experience than before, though it could be distracting while driving.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). This included features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, and the lane-keeping assistance system was effective. The SUV received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its rollover resistance rating was three stars with rear-wheel drive. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 BMW X7 included standard safety technologies, with additional features available in the Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package added features like evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, and lane-control assist. The X7's ADAS technology was accurate and trustworthy, though it had some issues with lane maintenance and automated lane-changing. The Parking Assistance Package expanded the X7's technology with semi-automated parking assist and a surround-view camera.