2020 Mazda CX-30 vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 had a design meeting where the decision to use thick gray plastic cladding on its lower perimeter was made, which was later deemed a mistake. Reducing this cladding by half would have significantly improved its styling. As it stood, the excessive cladding made the 18-inch wheels look small and gave the impression that the CX-30 was perpetually on a hydraulic lift. Despite this, the interior design was praised for its luxurious feel above the midpoint of the cabin, although hard plastic was prevalent below that level. The CX-30's pricing started at $21,900, with various trims and options pushing the price up to $32,120 for a fully loaded model.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a significant departure from its Ford Expedition roots, offering a unique and luxurious experience. The Navigator's design emphasized elegance and understatement, despite its massive size and 22-inch wheels. The exterior featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and tasteful chrome accents. The interior was equally impressive, with seven color palettes and high-quality materials. The Navigator's seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, making it a standout in its class. The test vehicle, priced at $92,000, showcased the Navigator's ability to compete with luxury brands like Mercedes and Range Rover.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 was powered by a smooth and refined 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 186 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 186 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Despite its competitive power figures, the CX-30's weight of 3,408 pounds and lack of a turbocharged engine option affected its performance. The 6-speed sport automatic transmission, equipped with paddle shifters in the Premium trim, made the most of the available power. The CX-30 offered 8 inches of ground clearance and an optional AWD system with off-road traction assist. While it felt slower and less agile compared to the Mazda3, it ranked high among small SUVs for driving dynamics. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 23.9 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered impressive acceleration and responsiveness. Its 4WD system was smooth and capable, with a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, its fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, and the suspension felt less refined compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Despite these drawbacks, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a comfortable and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 offered ease of entry and exit due to its higher ground clearance. Inside, the cabin was upscale and elegant, with soft padding on the center console and door armrests. The driving position was excellent, and the gauges were large and easy to read. Cloth seating was standard, with simulated leather in Select and Preferred trims, and genuine leather in Premium trim. The rear seat was cramped, and cargo space was limited to 20.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 45.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, making it less spacious than many competitors.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator provided ample space for passengers and cargo, with a boxy design that maximized interior room. It could accommodate up to eight passengers, with power-folding third-row seats and manually-reclining second-row captain's chairs. Cargo space was generous, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with numerous settings and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking was challenging due to its size.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 featured an 8.8-inch static display for its infotainment system, which was not a touchscreen to improve driver focus. However, the controls were not always intuitive, making it difficult to use while driving. Standard features included Bluetooth, HD Radio, and Mazda Connected Services with a free 3-year trial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available in Select trim and higher, while the Premium trim offered a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer competitors, and its instrument panel lacked advanced features like full-screen maps. The infotainment system was intuitive but slow, with no wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The Navigator offered 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app, with remote app functions included for five years. Rear entertainment included Roku media streaming and various connections, while drive mode animations added a touch of elegance.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 excelled in safety, with a comprehensive list of standard advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and impressive crash-test ratings. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Select trim added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, while Premium trim offered adaptive front lights. The CX-30 received a 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with Premium trim.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for 4WD models and three stars for RWD models in rollover resistance. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.