2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent resembled a larger Subaru Forester, appealing in a practical and utilitarian manner typical of the brand's SUVs. It featured gray plastic cladding for 360-degree protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares for visual strength. Robust roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels on three of the four trim levels added to its functional design. The base model, starting at $31,995, came with 18-inch wheels and lacked dark-tinted privacy glass. Upgrading to the Premium trim at $34,395 offered better detailing and a superior infotainment system. The Limited trim at $39,345 added leather seats, while the top-tier Touring trim at $45,045 included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and special wood trim. The test vehicle, a Touring trim, was priced at $46,285 and featured a stylish interior with quality materials and thoughtful details.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but distinguished itself with unique design elements. Priced at $92,000, the Navigator Reserve exuded elegance and understatement despite its large size. It featured simple rectilinear shapes for the grille, windows, and headlights, with a few chrome accents for a classy look. The Pristine White test vehicle with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking. The interior impressed with seven color palettes, including the Slate Gray of the test truck, and featured layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were high-quality, and the panel gaps were tight, with Black Label trims offering even more luxurious textures and softer leather.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Despite its good acceleration, the Ascent's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not particularly engaging, with slow and numb steering and a suspension that struggled with undulating road surfaces. The CVT produced uneven power delivery, and the shifter felt cheap and clunky. However, the Ascent excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Navigator's performance was impressive, with quick acceleration and a smooth transition between RWD and 4WD. It had 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, consistent with the EPA estimate of 17 mpg combined. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors. The steering and brakes lacked the precision and control found in the Cadillac Escalade, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered a comfortable interior, especially in the Touring trim, with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable with a manual thigh support extension. The Ascent's dashboard featured a useful shelf and upscale ambient lighting, though the controls appeared dated. The second-row captain’s chairs were comfortable and offered sliding adjustments for legroom. The third-row seats provided acceptable space for short trips, with large side windows and overhead air-conditioning vents. The Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had a spacious interior, capable of accommodating six adults comfortably. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children. The Navigator offered 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more cargo space. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for loading and unloading. The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate control system. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with separate thigh extensions, bolsters, and massage programs. The large windows and high driving position provided excellent visibility, though parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with a Starlink infotainment system, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a CD player. Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim featured a high-resolution screen and navigation. The voice-control system was outdated and struggled with natural commands. The navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle's location. However, Bluetooth pairing and music streaming were easy, and the Harman Kardon speakers provided rich sound quality. The Ascent also offered a 180-degree front camera view and a 180-degree rear camera view, though it lacked a top-down 360-degree view camera and front parking sensors.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer systems. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a unique Lincoln interface, but it was slow to react. The Navigator lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The vehicle offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. Lincoln's remote app functions were included for five years, with SiriusXM traffic data for six years. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various USB, HDMI, and wireless connections. Drive mode animations were displayed on the instrument panel, and the overall simplicity of the system was a relief compared to more complex competitors.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on Subaru's latest global platform, designed for exceptional occupant protection. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Ascent featured Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited trim included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected helpful indicators onto the windshield, and a rear-seat reminder system was included. Starlink Safety Plus connected services were free for three years, with an optional Security Plus upgrade for six months.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not rated the Navigator. The Navigator offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row, a rare safety feature. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, though the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.