2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that distinguished it from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers crafted unique front and rear styling elements, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Navigator's lattice-type grille, illuminated star logo, and full-width taillights were signature design elements, while the black roof pillars created a wraparound glass appearance. 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 dashboard with mid-century modern styling, and a panoramic glass roof, all contributing to its luxurious flagship status.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a familiar look with its boxy, upright shape. The styling was practical, appealing to SUV shoppers who preferred a clean and unpretentious design. The Forester Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its appearance. The interior was functional, with a no-nonsense mix of materials designed for durability. The Sport trim added orange accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and heated features. The Forester's design focused on practicality and ruggedness, aligning with Subaru's brand identity.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a powerful twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Ford Expedition's most potent version. A 10-speed automatic transmission managed power delivery, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the driving experience, and the Navigator boasted a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with RWD. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist simplified trailer maneuvering. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, though fuel economy averaged 16.4 mpg. Despite its size, the Navigator offered excellent body motion control, though it was best suited for open roads.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity. The Forester's towing capacity was 1,500 pounds, with Trailer Stability Assist standard. While power was adequate, the engine lacked thrust for highway merging. The suspension was softly tuned, resulting in poor body control and a bouncy ride. Standard AWD and X-Mode enhanced off-road capability, with Dual X-Mode available on Sport models. The Forester's ground clearance was 8.7 inches, suitable for light off-roading.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample space and comfort. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with power-adjustable pedals and steering wheel. The second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs, with a large center console available. The third row provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was generous, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 103.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The longer Navigator L offered even more space.

The 2021 Subaru Forester provided above-average headroom and legroom, thanks to its tall roofline. The cabin felt roomy with excellent visibility, though sunlight could raise cabin temperature. Cargo space was generous, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The Forester lacked a sliding second-row bench but offered a power liftgate on higher trims. Interior storage was practical, though the phone cubby was small, and wireless charging was unavailable. The Forester's controls were user-friendly, though the steering wheel had numerous buttons.

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 charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The Revel Ultima audio system provided excellent sound quality. Additional features included a surround-view camera and head-up display, though the rear-seat entertainment system was optional.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, and navigation. The system was user-friendly, though slow to boot. Additional displays showed secondary information, though the setup felt complex. The Forester's technology was practical and straightforward.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was standard on Reserve trim. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its RWD rollover resistance was rated three stars.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star NHTSA rating. Standard EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Forester also offered a driver-monitoring system and optional features like blind-spot monitoring. EyeSight's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering were adequate, though the latter felt jerky.