2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that differentiated it from the Ford Expedition, its platform sibling. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system, lattice-type grille insert, and illuminated star logo added to its distinctive look. The Navigator also offered a new Reserve Monochromatic Package with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels, available in White, Ceramic Pearl, and Infinite Black. Inside, the Navigator boasted mid-century modern styling cues, a panoramic glass roof, and high-quality materials, making it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC60 showcased a sleek, elegant design with short front and rear overhangs and an upright grille featuring Volvo’s iron mark logo. The Thor’s hammer LED daytime running lights added a unique Swedish touch. The interior was defined by clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene aura, with a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen at the center. The XC60’s cabin was harmonious and rewarding, making it a very nice place to spend time.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds for RWD and 8,300 pounds for 4WD. The Navigator’s acceleration was strong, though fuel economy was a concern, averaging 16.4 mpg on the testing loop. The SUV’s adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, though impact harshness was an issue with 22-inch wheels. The Navigator felt huge around town but was more maneuverable thanks to a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the T5 model’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 model, a plug-in hybrid, combined a gasoline engine with an electric motor for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, while the T8 Polestar Engineered variant increased output to 415 hp. The XC60’s AWD system and torque vectoring provided a solid and secure driving experience, with a serene cabin and smooth suspension. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV and 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, passengers enjoyed ample space and comfort. The test vehicle’s 30-way Perfect Position front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and heated steering wheel provided exceptional comfort. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two captain’s chairs, with a large center console available. The third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were also class-leading, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet maximum. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system that excelled in sub-freezing temperatures. The cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, with secure storage in the second row. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet behind the first row. Each model was rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator’s Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, with slow content loading. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. The system’s voice recognition worked reasonably well, though it required specific command pathways. The test vehicle’s 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 optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system was not included.

The 2021 Volvo XC60’s Sensus infotainment system used a tablet-style touchpad interface, which could be intuitive for frequent iPad users but had a learning curve. The system featured smartphone integration, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system on the test vehicle was exceptional. Volvo’s On Call app added vehicle-specific functionality, including maintenance reminders and remote locking.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Adaptive cruise control was standard on Reserve trim. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and more. Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, was available, integrating adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. The XC60 was governed to a top speed of 112 mph for safety.