2021 Nissan Rogue 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, all contributing to its upscale appearance. The Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom touch with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels, available in select trims. Inside, the Navigator offered a Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and high-quality materials, creating a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue adopted a more technical and rugged SUV appearance with dark gray plastic cladding and bold skid plates. Its modern aesthetic was enhanced by clean LED lighting, a prominent V-Motion grille, and aluminum wheels up to 19 inches. The Rogue offered four trims, with the Platinum trim featuring semi-aniline quilted leather for a genuinely upscale feel. The interior was light and bright, thanks to an Almond color leather interior and a panoramic sunroof. Nissan focused on quality with soft-touch surfaces and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, while the controls were logically arranged. Despite its 1980s-style climate control panel, the Rogue included modern tech like wireless Apple CarPlay.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust 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 managed power delivery, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite, tailoring the driving experience. It boasted a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Despite its strong acceleration, the Navigator averaged 16.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 18 mpg combined rating. The SUV's adaptive damping suspension struggled with impact harshness on rough roads, but its body motion control was commendable.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the engine felt underpowered for adventurous outings. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) performed well, mimicking a traditional automatic with programmed ratios. The Rogue offered all-wheel drive, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes for off-the-beaten-path adventures. Fuel economy was decent, with the tested Rogue SL achieving 27.5 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating. The Rogue's ride and handling were smooth and athletic, thanks to its robust architecture and advanced suspension systems. The new steering system significantly improved the driving experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample space for passengers to stretch out comfortably. The test vehicle featured 30-way Perfect Position front seats, adjustable pedals, and a heated steering wheel, ensuring a personalized driving experience. The second row could be configured with a bench or captain's chairs, with the latter offering a large center console. The third-row seat provided exceptional legroom and thigh support, unmatched by competitors. 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 capacity.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured improved Zero Gravity seats, providing comfort across all trims. The SL and Platinum trims offered leather upholstery, with the latter featuring premium leather. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available on higher trims. The Rogue's rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees, facilitating easy passenger loading. The back seat accommodated both children and adults comfortably, with LATCH anchors for child safety seats. Nissan focused on reducing interior noise, enhancing the driving experience. The Rogue's cargo space was generous, with up to 36.5 cubic feet available in higher trims, and a maximum of 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

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, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The voice recognition system was functional but not as advanced as some competitors. 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, though the test vehicle lacked the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose audio system. The Platinum trim also included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The system was user-friendly, with accurate voice recognition and good sound quality from the Bose components.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with trailer coverage. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard on the Reserve trim. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, and the lane-keeping assistance system was effective. The SUV received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the rollover resistance rating was three stars for rear-wheel drive models. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue prioritized safety with its comprehensive Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue included ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Platinum trim added an airbag between the driver and front passenger. ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance was standard on the SV trim, with an upgraded version available on higher trims. The Rogue's new architecture and increased use of high-strength steel aimed to enhance crash protection, though crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.