2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, setting itself apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers gave it unique front and rear styling, along with the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that welcomed owners with sequential illumination. The Navigator featured a distinctive lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its upscale appearance. The Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom touch with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator offered 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 Buick Enclave aimed to recapture Buick's past glory with its impressive size and design. As the largest of Buick's SUVs, the Enclave offered a premium look, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft leather seats. The cabin was quiet and comfortable, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning efforts, Active Noise Cancellation, and laminated glass. However, the wood trim was not genuine, and the electronic transmission shifter required some getting used to.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Ford Expedition's most powerful version. A 10-speed automatic transmission managed power delivery, with options for rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite, and could tow up to 8,700 pounds with RWD. Pro Trailer Backup Assist simplified trailer maneuvering. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, though fuel economy was a concern, averaging 16.4 mpg. Despite its size, the Navigator handled well on open roads, though it felt large in urban settings.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in FWD or AWD, the Enclave could tow up to 5,000 pounds. The V6's low torque peak contributed to strong acceleration, and the Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size. The Avenir Technology Package enhanced the ride with a premium-tuned suspension and automatic emergency braking. The Enclave averaged 21.2 mpg during testing, offering a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank. The steering and brake response were satisfactory, though quicker steering would be beneficial.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample space for passengers. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the right settings took time. The Navigator provided options for second-row seating, with captain's chairs and a center console available. The third-row seat was spacious, offering class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was generous, with up to 103.3 cubic feet in the standard model and 120.2 cubic feet in the Navigator L.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, comfortably seating six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The center console offered ample storage, and the Enclave's third-row seat was accessible and comfortable. Cargo space was commendable, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its weakest link, with slow loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless charging. The system's voice recognition was adequate, and the 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling experience. Additional features included a surround-view camera and a head-up display, though the test vehicle lacked the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times and a user-friendly interface. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and a WiFi hotspot. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror, but lacked integration with digital assistants and had short trial periods for connected services.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was standard on the Reserve trim. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its RWD version had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control was available only with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave lacked advanced features like lane-centering assistance and rear automatic braking. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight rating prevented a Top Safety Pick award.