2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E 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, lattice-type grille insert, and illuminated star logo added to its distinctiveness. 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. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, showcased a Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a panoramic glass roof, all contributing to its luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E aimed to evoke the traditional Mustang coupe and convertible through its exterior styling, despite being an electric SUV. It featured thin headlights, a long hood, and a nonfunctional oval grille, with taillights that mimicked the original Mustang's. The interior was dominated by a massive infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist design, similar to Tesla's electric cars. The Mach-E's interior materials were of decent quality, but some buyers might have been disappointed by the lack of a leather-upholstery option, even in the top trim levels.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, averaging 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. Despite its size, the Navigator's body motion control was excellent, though it felt huge around town. Features like a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views helped with maneuverability.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, designed to live up to the Mustang name, offered various powertrain configurations. The base RWD Select model produced 266 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The most potent AWD GT Performance Edition packed 480 hp and 634 lb-ft, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The test car, with a lower-level AWD powertrain, delivered 346 hp, 428 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. The Mach-E handled corners well, with responsive steering and a planted feel, though the ride quality suffered due to the taut suspension and 19-inch wheels. It featured three drive modes—Engage, Whisper, and Unbridled—and offered one-pedal driving and well-tuned friction brakes.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample space and comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and heated steering wheel ensured a comfortable driving position. The second row could be configured with a bench or captain's chairs, with optional center console and heated rear seats. The third-row seat provided excellent legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with the standard-length model offering up to 103.3 cubic feet and the longer Navigator L providing up to 120.2 cubic feet.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, marketed as an SUV, had a packaging more akin to a station wagon or hatchback. The driving position was low, and the low roofline didn't create a spacious feeling, even with a panoramic glass roof. Compared to the Tesla Model Y, the Mach-E fell short on interior space, offering less headroom and legroom. The Mach-E provided 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row in place and 59.7 cubic feet with it folded, along with a 4.7-cubic-foot front trunk. The interior featured a decent-sized storage bin, a large area beneath the touchscreen for smartphones, and USB ports for both rows.

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, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed the smartphone to act as the vehicle key. The voice recognition system worked reasonably well, though it wasn't as advanced as some competitors. The test vehicle included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, a surround-view camera system, and a head-up display, but lacked the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured the new Sync 4 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and OTA updates. The main touchscreen measured 15.5 inches, while the instrument cluster was 10.2 inches. Standard features included SiriusXM 360L and a six-speaker audio system, with higher trims getting a nine-speaker B&O sound system. The touchscreen's size was its most notable feature, but the text-heavy design made it less user-friendly. The bottom of the screen replaced analog controls with touchscreen icons and sliders, which were less convenient to use.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, 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 NHTSA, though the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS hadn't tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E's crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS weren't available at launch. Standard driver-assist features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, reverse sensing system, reverse automatic braking, adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, traffic-sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. Higher trims included a 360-degree camera system. The Mach-E was also set to receive Active Drive Assist, enabling hands-free driving on designated highways, with a driver-facing camera to monitor for distraction. This feature would be available via OTA update for $600.