2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers gave it unique front and rear styling, along with the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Navigator featured a distinctive lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights. The black roof pillars provided a wraparound glass appearance, enhancing its premium 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 Land Rover Range Rover exuded a timeless elegance, drawing from its rugged past while embracing modern luxury. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a Byron Blue exterior with silver 21-inch wheels, maintaining hallmark design cues like blacked-out pillars and clean styling. Inside, the Range Rover offered an Ivory-color interior with a mid-century modern ambiance. Despite its age, the design remained appealing, and the cabin felt luxurious with quality materials. However, the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was less intuitive, requiring patience to master. Overall, the Range Rover combined classic design with modern luxury, though it demanded a more measured approach to its technology.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 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, 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 fuel economy averaged 16.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 18 mpg estimate. Despite its size, the Navigator's body motion control was excellent, providing a hint of athleticism.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission worked seamlessly with the electric motor. Standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case ensured off-road capability. The Terrain Response 2 system provided multiple traction modes for various conditions. The Range Rover's adaptive air suspension delivered a smooth ride, though side-to-side wallow was noticeable on uneven roads. The SUV's steering was slow in response, requiring a more relaxed driving style. Fuel economy averaged 18.5 mpg, close to the EPA's 20 mpg estimate. The Range Rover excelled in providing a quiet and comfortable ride, though it was best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.

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 were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the ideal settings took time. The second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs, with the latter providing a large center console. The third row provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was generous, 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 increased these measurements significantly.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, though the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability. Despite this, the back seat offered quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. Luggage volume was restricted to 25 cubic feet, with a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet. The Range Rover's cargo area included a suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, with slow loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. 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, though the test vehicle lacked the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured fully digital instrumentation and infotainment with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, requiring setup to personal preferences. The dual 10-inch touchscreens were distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover's technology included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for assistance with features.

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, and adaptive cruise control. 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 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.