2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design elements, setting it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers added unique front and rear styling, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that sequentially illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille insert mimicking the Lincoln star logo, an illuminated star in the center, and fender vents with simulated exposed front door hinges. Full-width taillights and black roof pillars (except for those framing the windshield) gave the Navigator a wraparound glass appearance. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom look with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements, combined with 22-inch black-painted wheels. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, extra-cost paint, and both the Luxury and Reserve Monochromatic option packages, was priced at $92,385, including the $1,295 destination charge. Inside, the Dark Slate leather interior featured Lincoln’s 30-way Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The dashboard had mid-century modern styling cues, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and piano-key transmission controls. A panoramic glass roof and high-quality materials added to the luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained its decade-old body shell with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t get any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level. The GX’s tough, aggressive look was distinctive, but the interior didn’t meet modern luxury SUV standards. The wood trim felt like molded plastic, and there was plenty of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather on the Luxury trim level. The upright dashboard and high center console left little legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle made it feel like driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited due to the tall hood. The center-console storage bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders were small. The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, but accessing the third row was difficult, and it was best reserved for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet with the second and third-row seats folded.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator offered multiple Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb with the optional towing package. The maximum towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive. Pro Trailer Backup Assist made towing easier by allowing the driver to steer the trailer using a dashboard knob. The Navigator’s acceleration was strong, with a subtle engine note. However, fuel economy was a concern, averaging 16.4 mpg on the testing loop. The Navigator’s body motion control was excellent, lending a hint of athleticism despite its size. Around town, the Navigator felt huge, but a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views helped with maneuverability.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX’s V8 engine had plenty of grunt when moving away from a stop, but its 5,130 pounds made higher speeds challenging. Merging and overtaking required careful planning, and stopping the SUV needed advanced planning. The GX’s ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, low range for crawling, and driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera system, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles. The maximum towing capacity was 6,500 pounds, with stability control including a trailer-sway control function.

Entering the 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, but once inside, passengers found plenty of room to stretch out. The test vehicle’s 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with power-adjustable pedals and a heated steering wheel. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two-passenger captain’s chairs, with a large center console available. Triple-zone climate control ensured comfort across all three rows, and the test vehicle had heated rear seat cushions. The third-row seat provided ample legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second-row seat, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet. The longer Navigator L offered even more cargo space.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics showed its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console leaving little legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and tall seating position felt like driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited. The center-console storage bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders were small. The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, but accessing the third row was difficult, and it was best reserved for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet with the second and third-row seats folded.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator’s Sync 3 infotainment system was the least impressive piece of technology, taking time to load content. However, it provided Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, 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 but wasn’t fully natural. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system produced a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The test vehicle didn’t have the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity as standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility weren’t available. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. The touchscreen’s graphics looked like they were from the 1990s, and the system didn’t offer much in the way of functions. However, Lexus included analog controls for nearly everything, providing a refreshing antidote to screen-centric approaches.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, a blind-spot warning system with trailer coverage, a rear cross-traffic warning system, and automatic high-beam headlights. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard on the Reserve trim. The Navigator’s adaptive cruise control operated with refinement, and the lane-keeping assistance system was subtle yet effective. The Navigator had a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the rollover resistance rating was just three stars with rear-wheel drive. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hadn’t tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 hadn’t been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. The GX 460 came with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle of driver aids, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. However, the GX 460 missed out on some safety features available in other Lexus models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist automated lane centering.