2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Subaru Outback

Subaru had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in 2020. The sixth-gen Outback featured Subaru’s Global Platform, enhancing structural rigidity by 70%. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly similar to the 2019 model, had 90% new parts. Higher trims offered a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent. Exterior changes were subtle, mainly noticeable in the head- and taillights, while the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim. The innovative DriverFocus tech, using facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness, was a standout feature.

The Outback came in seven trims, starting at $26,645 for the 2.5i, which included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The Limited trim, priced at $33,445, added features like blind-spot monitoring and a power liftgate. The Touring trim, at $37,345, offered ventilated front seats and a sunroof. The new Onyx Edition XT, starting at $34,895, included the turbo engine and off-road enhancements. The Limited XT and Touring XT trims followed, with prices up to $39,695.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator, sharing a platform with the Ford Expedition, distinguished itself with unique front and rear styling, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille, illuminated star logo, and full-width taillights. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added custom looks with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Available in standard and long-wheelbase versions, the Navigator offered rear-wheel or four-wheel drive options.

The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, priced at $92,385, included the Luxury and Reserve Monochromatic packages. The interior boasted 30-way Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions, a mid-century modern-styled dashboard, and a panoramic glass roof. The 10-inch infotainment touchscreen and piano-key transmission controls set it apart from the Expedition. High-quality materials and ample natural light added to the luxurious feel.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over 2019, and improved fuel efficiency at 26 mpg city and 33 highway. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims produced 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a CVT, tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system provided consistent power delivery and enhanced safety, especially in adverse conditions. The Outback’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance and upgraded X-Mode in the Onyx XT made it capable off-road, though not on par with a Jeep.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, outperforming the Ford Expedition. A 10-speed automatic transmission managed power distribution, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the powertrain to various driving conditions, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb with the towing package. The Navigator’s towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The SUV averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. Despite its size, the Navigator’s adaptive damping suspension and body motion control provided a hint of athleticism, though it excelled on open roads with smooth pavement.

The 2020 Subaru Outback, a station wagon, offered 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The increased width between the rear wheels contributed to a 1-cu-ft increase in passenger volume and a 2.4-cu-ft increase in overall volume. The interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers. Subaru’s design prioritized visibility, though the rear quarters had a notable blind spot.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered exceptional comfort and space. The test vehicle’s 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the Luxury Package, provided heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The second row could be configured with a bench or captain’s chairs, with the latter offering a large center console and audio controls. The third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were impressive, with the standard-length model offering 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet in total. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing and easy to navigate. However, the system suffered from significant lag, affecting functions like map navigation, app switching, and even volume control. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator’s Sync 3 infotainment system was slow to load content, but a new Sync 4 platform was on the horizon. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The voice recognition system required specific command pathways, and 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 2020 Subaru Outback’s safety suite was impressive, with standard AWD and features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, the DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Subaru’s EyeSight system, while standard, could be obstructed by weather conditions, causing it to turn off unexpectedly.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, and the lane-keeping assistance was effective. 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.