2021 Buick Envision vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

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 Monochromatic Package added a custom touch with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels, available on the Reserve trim. Inside, the Navigator offered a spacious and luxurious cabin with high-quality materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic glass roof, making it a true flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Envision underwent a redesign, presenting a more planted and sculpted appearance. It was lower and wider than its predecessor, with a design that was more refined than the Cadillac XT4 but not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision offered three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim introducing premium exterior elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch pearl nickel wheels. Inside, the Envision featured a driver-centric design with a protruding center stack, though it was criticized for its use of piano black plastic, which attracted dust. Despite its stylish appearance, the Envision's interior changes did not significantly enhance functionality.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust 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 rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite, tailoring the driving experience to various conditions. It boasted a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist for easier trailer maneuvering. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, though its fuel economy averaged 16.4 mpg during testing. Despite its size, the Navigator handled well on open roads, though it felt large in urban settings.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the engine was less powerful than the previous model, Buick reduced the vehicle's weight by 200 to 300 pounds, improving fuel efficiency. The Envision offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy for the front-wheel-drive model was rated at 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, while all-wheel-drive versions achieved slightly lower figures. The Envision's driving experience was comfortable but lacked the sporty dynamics of some competitors. The turbo engine was competent for daily driving, though engine and road noise were noticeable.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator provided ample interior space, with a climb-up entry aided by available power running boards. The test vehicle featured 30-way Perfect Position front seats, offering exceptional comfort, though adjustments took time. The second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs, with the latter option including a center console with audio controls. The third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support, ensuring comfort for passengers. Cargo space was generous, 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 cargo capacity.

The 2021 Buick Envision, despite its redesign, did not improve interior functionality. It had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row compared to its predecessor, with rear-seat passengers losing two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. Cargo capacity was reduced, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded. The Envision's driver-centric cockpit limited front passenger access to controls, and forward visibility was challenging for shorter drivers. However, the Envision offered standard features like heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, providing a comfortable ride.

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 "Phone As A Key" feature allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided an excellent listening experience, and additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The Navigator lacked the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and displayed necessary functionalities. The driver information display was available in 8.0-inch and 4.2-inch sizes. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone climate control, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, and wireless device charging. The Envision's tech offerings were functional but not groundbreaking.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard on the Reserve trim. The Navigator 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 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS due to its new generation and body structure changes. Standard safety features included forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on the Avenir trim. The Envision lacked GM's Super Cruise and lane-centering technology.