2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that differentiated it from the Ford Expedition, its platform mate. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system, lattice-type grille insert, and illuminated star logo added to its premium appeal. The Navigator's design included unique fender vents, full-width taillights, and black roof pillars, giving it a wraparound glass appearance. The Reserve Monochromatic Package, available in select colors, further enhanced its custom look with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements, paired with 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator boasted a Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a dashboard with mid-century modern styling cues, and a panoramic glass roof, all contributing to its luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer aimed to evoke the sporty aesthetics of a Lamborghini Urus, with its wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, and aggressive front end. The Blazer's design borrowed elements from the Camaro, including a snarling face, chopped roof, and muscled body, making it a standout in the Chevy lineup. The Blazer offered various customization options, including different grille designs for each trim level and special packages like the Redline and Midnight/Sport editions. However, the interior fell short, with a low-rent feel, featureless seats, and downmarket materials that didn't match its price point. Despite its stylish exterior, the Blazer's cabin was dark and unsatisfying, lacking the quality and detail found in competitors like the Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy and Toyota Venza Limited.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a powerful twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Ford Expedition's most potent version. A 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels, with an optional four-wheel drive available. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb (with the towing package). It had a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive, aided by the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, though the engine note lacked the V8 rumble. 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 provided excellent body motion control, though impact harshness was noticeable with 22-inch wheels. Maneuverability in tight spaces was aided by a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engine options: a 2.5-liter inline-four with 193 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque, a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 227 hp and 258 lb-ft, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 hp and 270 lb-ft. The V6, available on the RS trim, provided the best performance, with a sport-tuned suspension, brakes, and steering. The RS trim also featured a mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle for improved handling. However, the transmission calibration had issues, with slow responses and a convoluted manual mode. The Blazer's fuel economy was average, with the AWD V6 achieving 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The AWD turbo inline-four was more efficient, at 22/27/24 mpg. Despite its sporty chassis, the Blazer's transmission issues detracted from the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample space and comfort for all passengers. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the optional Luxury Package, were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the right settings took time. The second row could be configured with a three-person bench or two captain's chairs, with the latter option including a large center console. The Navigator's third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was also impressive, 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 space.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four passengers. The low roof height was offset by seats mounted lower into the floor, making entry and exit easy. However, sightlines were poor due to the design, though large side-view mirrors and an optional rear-view mirror camera improved visibility. The Blazer's cargo space was similar to the Equinox, with 64 cubic feet with the rear seat folded and around 30 cubic feet when raised. The Blazer could tow up to 4,500 pounds with the trailering package, AWD, and V6 engine. Controls were user-friendly, with features like movable rings around the front air vents for temperature adjustment and a hands-free power tailgate. The infotainment system was fast and easy to use, with options for a power tilt/telescope steering wheel and rear heated seats on upper trims.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive technology, with slow content loading. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, 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 wasn't as advanced as some competitors. The Reserve's Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system with three listening profiles. 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 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The RS trim with the Driver Confidence II package added wireless phone charging, a rear camera washer, LED headlights, 360 cameras, adaptive cruise control, and the Safety Alert Seat. The "Plus" version of the infotainment system included navigation, 4G WiFi, onboard apps, and better voice recognition. Unique GM features included cloud account settings transfer, an app store, and the Marketplace app for contactless payments. Amazon Alexa compatibility was also included. For 2021, driver assists like forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams were standard on most trims.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite 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. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer earned an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for the front passenger in the frontal crash and four stars in the rollover test. The IIHS gave the Blazer top "Good" ratings in all crash tests but rated its headlights as "Marginal" and "Poor." A driver's knee airbag was standard, but the Blazer lacked GM's inboard side airbag and rear emergency braking. The enhanced forward emergency braking, available on top trims, used radar and a camera for improved accuracy.