2020 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, with its practical and utilitarian design, resembled a larger Subaru Forester. It featured gray plastic cladding for protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares for visual strength. The robust roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels added to its appeal across most trim levels. The Ascent's interior, especially in the Touring trim, was stylish with quality materials and thoughtful details, offering a sense of value for money. CarGurus recommended the Ascent Premium with additional packages for a similar look to the Touring trim but at a lower price point.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its chrome and brightwork, differentiating it from the Ford Expedition on which it was based. The Navigator featured unique front and rear styling, the Lincoln Embrace lighting system, and a lattice-type grille with an illuminated star. The Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom look with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator offered a luxurious experience with mid-century modern styling cues, digital instrumentation, and high-quality materials, making it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It featured a CVT and AWD, providing good acceleration but falling short on fuel efficiency, averaging 18.9 mpg compared to the EPA's 22 mpg estimate. The Ascent's handling was not particularly sporty, with numb steering and a suspension that struggled on uneven surfaces. However, it excelled in off-road conditions with its AWD system, X-Mode, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivered 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered multiple drive modes for various conditions. The Navigator's towing capacity reached up to 8,700 pounds with RWD. While acceleration was strong, fuel economy was a concern, averaging 16.4 mpg. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, making it best suited for open roads with smooth pavement.

The Subaru Ascent offered comfort with its soft leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The interior was spacious, with significant track travel for the front seats, making it appealing to tall individuals. The Ascent provided a choice between a second-row bench or captain's chairs, with the latter offering additional comfort features. Cargo space was generous, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 86 cubic feet with seats folded.

The Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter but offered ample space for passengers to stretch out. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, and the second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs. The Navigator's third-row seat provided unmatched legroom and thigh support among competitors. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with up to 103.3 cubic feet in the standard model and 120.2 cubic feet in the Navigator L.

The Subaru Ascent featured a Starlink infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Touring trim added a high-resolution screen and navigation. While the system was user-friendly, the voice-control system was outdated, and the navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle's location. The Ascent offered a unique PIN Code Vehicle Access system for active lifestyles.

The Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was less impressive, with slow loading times. However, it included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and "Phone As A Key" technology. The 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 test vehicle lacked the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The Subaru Ascent received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) like EyeSight, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Ascent also featured a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services.

The Lincoln Navigator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 ADAS, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated with refinement, and the SUV received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. However, the RWD version had a three-star rollover resistance rating.