2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, distinguished by its unique design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers went to great lengths to give the Navigator a distinct identity, featuring exclusive front and rear styling, a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, and full-width taillights. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system added a touch of sophistication, welcoming owners with sequential illumination. The Navigator offered a range of trims, including the standard, Reserve, and Black Label, with options for standard or long-wheelbase models and rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, boasted a luxurious Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and high-quality materials throughout, making it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a more conventional design, appealing to those who preferred a small crossover with a straightforward aesthetic. The Tucson's upright layout provided a commanding view of the road, while its modern and attractive dashboard seamlessly integrated tech features. The Tucson was available in several trims, including SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate, each offering a range of features. The base SE trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while higher trims added amenities like LED headlights, power-adjustable seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Tucson's interior was comfortable and supportive, with ample front-seat headroom and legroom, making it a practical choice for daily driving.

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 transferred power to the rear wheels, with an option for four-wheel drive. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, tailoring the powertrain to various driving situations. With a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds for rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds for four-wheel drive, 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 was a concern, averaging 16.4 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson featured two engine options: a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, and a more powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at higher speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance around town. The Tucson offered a comfortable and refined ride, striking a balance between softness and athleticism. With the base engine, the Tucson could tow up to 1,500 pounds, while the 2.4-liter engine increased towing capacity to 2,000 pounds.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, akin to ascending a short flight of stairs, but once inside, it offered ample space for passengers to stretch out in comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the optional Luxury Package, provided exceptional comfort, though finding the ideal settings took time. The Navigator's 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 seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support, ensuring comfort for passengers. Cargo volumes were impressive, 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 measurements significantly.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it offered adequate space for weekend trips or larger items. The Tucson's front seats provided solid headroom and legroom, ensuring comfort even on long journeys. The rear seats, though less spacious, were accommodating for adults. The Tucson featured numerous cubbies and compartments for storage, enhancing its practicality for everyday use.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive technology feature, with slow content loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, part of the Reserve's Luxury Package, delivered a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display, though the test vehicle lacked the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging, enhancing the Tucson's tech offerings.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a blind-spot warning system. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard on the Reserve trim. 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 IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS.