2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out as a luxurious flagship SUV, distinguished by its chrome accents and unique design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition counterpart. Designers went the extra mile to give the Navigator a distinct identity with different front and rear styling, a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, and full-width taillights. The Navigator's exterior lighting system, known as the Lincoln Embrace, sequentially illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom look with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels, available in select paint colors. 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 experience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, on the other hand, captured a modern retro feel reminiscent of the Land Rover lineup. It featured a short front overhang for a better approach angle and tall fender wells designed for trail driving. The Bronco Sport's design echoed its larger sibling, the Bronco, with bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate. The interior was tastefully rugged, with an uncluttered design and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The Bronco Sport offered a range of wheel options, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks model. The interior trim varied from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, catering to different preferences.

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 transferred power to the rear wheels, with an option for four-wheel drive. The Navigator offered multiple Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, and Slippery, tailoring the powertrain to specific driving 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. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, though its fuel economy averaged 16.4 mpg. Despite its size, the Navigator's body motion control was excellent, providing a hint of athleticism on open roads.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque for Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims, and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque for Badlands and First Edition models. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance. On-road, it displayed good manners, with the 2.0-liter engine better suited to its character.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample room for passengers to stretch out in comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the Luxury Package, provided exceptional comfort, though finding the right settings took time. The Navigator offered a choice between a three-person bench or captain's chairs in the second row, with heated rear seat cushions. The third-row seat provided excellent legroom and thigh support, unmatched by competitors. Cargo volumes were 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 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with clever features, such as cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive technology, taking time to load content. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience, with additional technologies like a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured the latest infotainment systems, including an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and FordConnect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. A Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera were available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered multiple G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base model.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. 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 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and road-sign recognition. All models had AWD and a terrain management system with traction control and electronic stability control.