2021 Chevrolet Suburban 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, on which it was based. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system sequentially illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner, while the lattice-type grille insert and illuminated star logo added a touch of elegance. The Navigator also offered a new Reserve Monochromatic Package with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels, available in White, Ceramic Pearl, and Infinite Black paint colors. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, was priced at $92,385, including destination charges.

Inside, the Navigator impressed 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 overall look and feel of the Navigator made it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban had a polarizing front-end design, with small headlights and large, busy grilles that borrowed from the Camaro's design language. Despite this, the interior remained familiar and functional, with controls in their expected places. The test model, a range-topping High Country, featured a High Country Deluxe package with adaptive air suspension, power-retractable running boards, a panoramic sunroof, and driver assistance features. However, the High Country's interior, while featuring woodgrain and leather, lacked the soft-touch materials found in true luxury SUVs, and had an abundance of hard plastic.

The Suburban's interior provided a commanding view of the road and ample head- and legroom, especially in the second-row captain's chairs. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, with the main difference being the button shifter design. The power-sliding center console was a complex feature that seemed unnecessary. Despite these quirks, the Suburban's sheer volume of passenger and cargo space was impressive.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive as standard and four-wheel drive as an option. 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. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist system made towing easier by allowing the driver to steer the trailer using a dashboard knob.

The Navigator's acceleration was strong, and the engine note was subtle yet aggressive. However, fuel economy was a concern, with an average of 16.4 mpg on the testing loop and an EPA rating of 18 mpg in combined driving. The SUV's adaptive damping suspension struggled with impact harshness over imperfect pavement, especially in Excite mode, but body motion control was excellent. The Navigator felt huge around town, but a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views helped with maneuverability.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a standard 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a newly available 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive as standard and four-wheel drive as an option. The diesel engine provided great pickup and V8-level torque, making it suitable for both city and highway driving.

The Suburban's truck-based underpinnings were evident in its handling, with excellent brakes providing confidence-inspiring stopping power. The independent rear suspension improved ride compliance, but the Suburban still exhibited body roll and truck-like tendencies, such as chatter over bumps and susceptibility to crosswinds. Despite these issues, the Suburban offered a smooth ride over most driving surfaces.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, passengers enjoyed ample room and comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the right settings took time. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two captain's chairs, with the latter option including a large center console. Triple-zone climate control ensured comfort across all three rows, and the third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support.

Cargo space in the Navigator was also 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 upcoming 2021 Cadillac Escalade was expected to match the Navigator in terms of passenger comfort and cargo space.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban boasted massive cargo space, with 144.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. Even with the second-row seats in use, it provided 93.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed a commanding view of the road and ample head- and legroom, especially in the second-row captain's chairs. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, with the main difference being the button shifter design.

The Suburban's power-sliding center console was a complex feature that seemed unnecessary, but the sheer volume of passenger and cargo space made up for it. The Suburban's interior was functional and spacious, making it a practical choice for families and road trips.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, taking time to load content. 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, though it required specific command pathways.

The test vehicle's 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience, with Stereo being the preferred listening profile. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system was not included in the test vehicle.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available navigation system and rear entertainment system with large touchscreens added convenience. The head-up display provided large, easy-to-read graphics.

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, blind-spot warning with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic warning, 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 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. The Teen Driver system allowed owners to set speed and volume limitations for younger drivers. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, front parking sensors, and a surround-view monitor camera system. Unique options included the rear-view camera mirror and the Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated for alerts.