2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, setting itself apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers gave it unique front and rear styling, along with the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that welcomed owners with sequential illumination. The Navigator featured a distinctive lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights. Black roof pillars created a wraparound glass appearance, enhancing its upscale look. 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, making it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless design, blending rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its big wheels and flared fenders contributed to its balanced aesthetic, appealing to those seeking a versatile SUV. The Grand Cherokee lineup offered a range of trims, from the affordable Laredo to the plush Summit, and performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk. The Summit trim featured premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum, creating a luxurious cabin. However, the interior showed signs of aging with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits, indicating a need for a redesign.

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 drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite, tailoring the powertrain to various driving conditions. It had a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist system simplified trailer maneuvering. 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.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could tow up to 6,200 pounds. For more power, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 offered 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency, achieving 18.2 mpg on a mountainous loop. The Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced off-road capabilities. The Grand Cherokee was responsive and quiet on highways, though the V8 consumed more fuel in city driving. Its tight turning radius and effective brakes added to its maneuverability.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample space for passengers to stretch out. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats provided exceptional comfort, though finding the ideal settings took time. The second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs, with a large center console available. The third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured flat, firm seats with a heated steering wheel. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added luxury, though it wasn't essential. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. Cargo space measured 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 68.3 cubic feet. Folding the second-row seats was easy, and the power liftgate closing button was conveniently placed.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive technology, with slow loading times. 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 voice recognition system worked reasonably well, though it required specific command pathways. The Reserve's Luxury Package included 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.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav setup, offering a nearly flawless user experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa. SiriusXM provided satellite radio and various services. The voice recognition technology worked well, allowing control of many features through voice commands. The Summit trim had a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, delivering excellent sound quality. The Grand Cherokee was "tech lite," offering essential features without excessive digital complexity.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. 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 the rollover resistance rating was three stars with rear-wheel drive. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were a concern, particularly in IIHS testing. It received a "Marginal" rating for driver safety and a "Poor" rating for front passenger safety in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Grand Cherokee's headlights also rated "Poor" unless upgraded. However, the Summit trim included the ProTech II Package, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The ParkSense parking assistance system was useful in low-traffic environments.