2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out as a luxurious SUV, distinguished by its unique design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers crafted a distinct front and rear styling, complemented by the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that warmly greeted its owner. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its sophisticated 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 experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Trax maintained a more modest design, carrying over updates from the 2017 model year. The Trax offered a practical and straightforward appearance, with the LS trim featuring 16-inch painted aluminum wheels and cloth upholstery. The LT trim added more features like heated side mirrors, roof rails, and LED lighting. While the Trax lacked the opulence of the Navigator, it provided a functional and sensible design for city dwellers, with styling packages like the Redline Edition and Midnight Edition available for those seeking a bit more flair.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering an impressive 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 managed power delivery, with options for rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite, tailoring the driving experience to various conditions. With a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds for RWD and 8,300 pounds for 4WD, the Navigator excelled in towing capabilities, aided by the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system. Despite its size, the Navigator's acceleration was strong, though fuel economy averaged 16.4 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offering front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. While the Trax sufficed for city driving, it struggled to deliver power for highway speeds and passing maneuvers. The ride was firm, with a tight turning radius aiding maneuverability in tight spaces. However, the Trax's performance paled in comparison to rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30, which offered more comfortable and engaging driving experiences.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator provided ample interior space, with a design that required climbing into the SUV, aided by available power running boards. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats offered exceptional comfort, though finding the ideal settings took time. The Navigator accommodated passengers with a choice of second-row seating configurations and a spacious third row. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with the standard-length model offering 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 103.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The longer Navigator L increased these figures significantly.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom, though rear seat comfort was lacking for long journeys. The Trax featured multiple storage trays and low cupholder placement for convenience. Cargo space measured 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with seats folded. While these figures were mid-pack for the segment, the Trax lacked options for a power liftgate, limiting its practicality compared to the Navigator.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive technology feature, with slow loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Lincoln Connect services. The system included "Phone As A Key" technology, transforming smartphones into vehicle keys. The Reserve's Luxury Package added 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 Chevrolet Trax came equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, praised for its easy-to-use menus and vivid graphics. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and an available WiFi hotspot. The Trax's infotainment system was a highlight, offering a user-friendly experience with hard buttons and dials for added convenience.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated with refinement, and the lane-departure warning system was subtle yet effective. The SUV 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 Trax earned a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included airbags and a backup camera, with the LT Convenience Package adding blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection. However, the Trax lacked many advanced safety features found in competitors, such as forward-collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control.