2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Buick Envision had undergone a significant redesign after two consecutive years of facelifts. This two-row compact crossover, positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, was sold in China and North America. The 2021 model was lower and wider than its predecessor, boasting a more planted appearance with premium crossover styling. It featured three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut in the Envision lineup. The Avenir grade added several upgraded exterior elements, including a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific pearl nickel wheels. The interior of the Avenir models was enhanced with unique trim patterns, leather-appointed seating, and a head-up display (HUD).

The Envision came standard with LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, along with a welcome lighting animation. It rode on 18- or 20-inch wheels, depending on the trim level, all wrapped in standard all-season tires. The cabin featured a driver-centric design with a protruding center stack housing the infotainment screen and climate controls, angled toward the driver. While the design choices were stylish, the abundance of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust, detracting from the premium feel.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, in contrast, was a luxurious full-size SUV that shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition. However, it distinguished itself with unique design elements and a high level of refinement. The Navigator's theme was elegance and understatement, featuring simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and a few splashes of chrome. The Pristine White example with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking. The Navigator also put on a light show when locked or unlocked, with gentle fades and spotlights on the powered running boards.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes and a taste for finer details. The wood trim, push-button gear selector, floating center console, and minimalist digital instrument panel all contributed to a modern and muted aesthetic. Materials were of high quality, and panel gaps were tight. The Black Label trims offered even more luxurious textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats were highly adjustable, with 30 different ways to customize comfort. Overall, the Navigator's interior was spacious, refined, and well-appointed, making it a strong contender in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.5-liter base engine. This new engine produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, a downgrade from the 252 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque of the 2020 model. Despite shedding 200 to 300 pounds, the Envision's performance was more about comfortable cruising than sporty driving. The front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available. Fuel efficiency improved, with the FWD model achieving 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. AWD models fared slightly worse with 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. However, engine and road noise permeated the cabin, detracting from the premium feel.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) options. The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, and the Navigator's towing capacity was substantial, at 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. Fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens, with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined (16 city, 20 highway). The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a comfortable ride, though not as refined as the Cadillac Escalade's magnetic shocks and air springs. Despite some shortcomings in handling and ride quality, the Navigator's powerful engine and plush cabin made it a compelling choice for highway driving.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign did not translate into improved cabin space. Despite a longer wheelbase, the Envision had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. Cargo capacity also decreased, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger's access to climate controls and the infotainment screen. However, the Envision offered standard heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel. Forward visibility was a challenge, especially for shorter drivers.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, in contrast, offered ample space for passengers and cargo. It could comfortably accommodate six adults, with an optional bench seat increasing capacity to eight. The boxy design provided generous cargo space, 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 rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for loading and unloading. The Navigator's front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with a high driving position providing excellent visibility. However, parking the large SUV could be challenging, even with the 360-degree cameras.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and displayed necessary functionalities clearly. The driver could use an available 8.0-inch driver information display for quicker access to information. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. Available features included navigation, driver massage, HD Radio, a surround-view camera, a HUD, a rearview camera mirror, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer systems. While it lacked the advanced features of the Cadillac Escalade's infotainment system, the Navigator's software was intuitive and easy to use. It included onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. The rear entertainment system offered Roku media streaming and various connections. The Navigator's drive modes played beautiful animations on the instrument panel, and the voice recognition was fast and accurate.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included a following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). 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, though the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.