2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Honda CR-V

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 distinctive appearance. 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. 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.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V had a more generic design, similar to other compact crossovers. While it featured a few unique details like the grille opening and some chromed plastic elements, it was not a vehicle chosen for its exterior looks. The CR-V was available in eight colors, but most were shades of gray, black, or white, with only a few vibrant options like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic. Inside, the CR-V offered black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with wood panels and chrome accents on higher trims. The seats had a modern, angular design, but overall, the CR-V's styling was less distinctive compared to competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a powerful 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, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb (with the towing package). The Navigator's towing capacity was impressive, with a maximum of 8,700 pounds for rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds for 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, but its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 16.4 mpg on the testing loop. The SUV's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, but impact harshness was an issue with the 22-inch wheels.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, was not designed for high performance. It featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with a 0-60 mph time of about 7.8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth, steady acceleration but lacked engagement. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension consisted of a MacPherson strut setup in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offering decent handling and ride quality. While the CR-V's performance was adequate for everyday driving, it did not stand out in terms of acceleration or driving engagement compared to competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, passengers enjoyed ample space and comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and heated steering wheel provided exceptional comfort. 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. The third-row seats were spacious, providing excellent legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was 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. The longer Navigator L offered even more cargo space.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, slightly more than the Toyota RAV4. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V provided 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured different tailgate options, from manual to power-operated and hands-free versions. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim. Overall, the CR-V's interior was functional and spacious, but it lacked the luxury and comfort of the Navigator.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, with slow content loading. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed the smartphone to function as the vehicle key. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display, but the test vehicle lacked the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were abundant, with USB ports in the front and second rows, and the Touring trim included a wireless phone charger. The CR-V's technology was functional and user-friendly, but it lacked the advanced features of the Navigator.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but 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 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. However, it did not receive the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in the headlight evaluation and updated side crash test. The CR-V's LATCH child safety seat anchoring system received an "Acceptable" rating. Honda's approach to safety was commendable, making the Honda Sensing system standard on all trims. This suite included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the EX trim onwards.