2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a model that looked back to a classic aesthetic while incorporating modern styling details to differentiate its trim levels. The exterior was characterized by a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a prominent grille—classic SUV attributes. Although generic in overall design, this approach appealed to buyers seeking a clean and handsome style, standing out against rivals like the Toyota Highlander and Hyundai Palisade. The Traverse's conservative styling meant trim-specific aesthetics became more pronounced. For instance, the RS model showcased blacked-out trim whereas the High Country trim gleamed with chrome. Other optional appearance packages such as Redline, Sport, and Midnight were available for added customization.

Underneath the familiar body, the Traverse shared its platform with more upscale siblings like the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6. Despite this, it aimed for a more modest market, compared to these premium-oriented relatives and the larger, body-on-frame Chevy Tahoe. Inside, the Traverse carried over its exterior's restrained styling with noteworthy features like the Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof. Materials quality in the RS trim, while generally acceptable, didn't quite match its $50,000 price tag, a common trait among many midsize three-row crossovers.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator had a presence that distinctly separated it from its Ford Expedition roots, sharing only its side glass and general rear seat shape with the Expedition. The Navigator felt like a true luxury vehicle, evident even to those accustomed to high-end brands like Mercedes and Range Rover. The elegant and understated design boasted simple rectilinear shapes for its grille, windows, and headlights, with additional elegance added by its chrome accents and standout elements like the illuminating Lincoln logo and power running boards. A particularly striking example was the Pristine White Navigator Reserve with black wheels, making it a striking figure against snowy backdrops.

Inside, the Navigator's impressiveness continued with seven color palettes, including the sophisticated Slate Gray of the test model. The Navigator’s interior featured premium details like wood trim layered behind a 10-inch touchscreen, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel—all designed with a blend of modernity and subtle luxury. High-quality materials and tight panel gaps were hallmarks, particularly in the Black Label trims that pushed the boundaries with more textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats were customizable to an extraordinary degree, offering 30 different adjustment options for ultimate comfort. Few large SUVs matched the Navigator’s luxurious feel, though the Range Rover, albeit smaller, could offer a more sumptuous experience but at a significantly higher cost.

In terms of performance, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was equipped with a singular engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Though not overwhelmingly powerful off the line, the V6 provided adequate force when needed, particularly for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic transmission generally performed well, though occasional rough shifts were noted.

The Traverse excelled in highway comfort, offering a serene cabin experience thanks to standard active noise cancellation and a smooth, bump-absorbing suspension. Precise steering added to its solid feel. However, the Traverse’s agility lagged behind some competitors on twisty roads, partly due to its manual AWD system. While the Traverse featured a sophisticated torque vectoring system capable of sending significant torque to individual wheels, this capability wasn’t always perceptible during practical driving. The Traverse did offer off-road and tow/haul drive modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which was average for the segment.

Conversely, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator sported a more powerful engine, the same 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 found in the Ford Raptor, producing an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This substantial power allowed the Navigator to feel surprisingly nimble for its size, complemented by a thrilling engine sound. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered fast responses and smoother transitions between RWD and 4WD compared to its GM rivals. Towing capacity was a hefty 8,300 pounds for the 4WD models and 8,700 pounds with RWD.

Fuel economy was predictably poor, averaging in the teens, aligning with the EPA’s 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator featured adaptive dampers but lagged behind the Cadillac Escalade in terms of ride quality due to its lack of magnetic shocks and air springs, leading to a harsher ride on rough surfaces. The steering and brakes, while functional, lacked the precision and control of the Escalade. Nevertheless, the Navigator's immense power and highway comfort, aided by paddle shifters for sporty responsiveness, made it a strong contender in terms of overall refinement and performance.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered flexibility with seating for seven or eight, determined by the choice of a second-row bench or captain’s chairs. It provided commendable headroom and legroom across all three rows but didn’t lead the segment. Heated front seats came standard on the RS trim, with ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats as options on higher trims.

A significant advantage of the Traverse was its cargo space. It offered 23 cubic feet with all rows up, expanding to 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a substantial 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats down. Despite its ample dimensions, the Traverse had limited interior storage options, a common trait among midsize three-row crossovers, which often prioritize style over practicality. Features like the power liftgate were standard from the LT Cloth trim upwards, with gesture-activated liftgate available on Premier and High Country trims. The power 60/40 split-folding third row enhanced its utility.

In comparison, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator felt like a spacious small bedroom on wheels, easily accommodating six adults with ample room for arms, heads, and legs. Technically a seven-passenger SUV, its third-row middle seat was best suited for children. Standard manual captain’s chairs in the second row added to comfort, with an optional bench for up to eight passengers. The cargo capacity was substantial: 19 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57 cubic feet when the third row was folded, and a massive 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L expanded these figures even further.

The Navigator’s practical features included rear glass that opened separately from the tailgate and folding third-row seats operated by power controls. Second-row seats could be heated and came with optional climate and stereo controls integrated into a rear console, though competitors offered more climate zones and additional features for third-row passengers.

The Navigator’s front seats were exceptionally comfortable, offering a multitude of adjustments and massage functions. High driving position and large windows facilitated good visibility, though parking was challenging due to its sheer size.

Technologically, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. Although competitors like Ford and Toyota boasted larger screens, the Traverse’s user-friendly 8-inch screen with large icons and analog controls for volume and climate proved popular for its simplicity. A rearview camera mirror and optional HD surround-view camera system significantly improved visibility and parking ease. Chevy’s provision of two USB ports for each row came standard across trims, with wireless phone charging available only on higher trims.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen, although outdated against the latest luxury standards, offered a clear and intuitive interface, sharing its foundational software with Ford but distinct to Lincoln. Despite its relatively slower response, voice recognition was quick and precise. The Navigator featured onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the capability for smartphone-as-key functionality. Rear entertainment systems included Roku media streaming and multiple connectivity options. However, the absence of wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and fuzzy 360-degree cameras left it feeling less advanced compared to rivals like the Cadillac Escalade.

Safety-wise, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse earned top “Good” scores from the IIHS in all crash tests and the “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention. However, it received less favorable “Acceptable” and “Poor” headlight ratings based on trim level and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. NHTSA awarded the Traverse a five-star overall rating, including four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side-impact tests. However, its standard driver-assist technology lagged behind competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was crash-tested by NHTSA, achieving five stars overall and in most tests, but only received four stars for 4WD rollover resistance and three stars for RWD. IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. Despite this, it offered robust safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams as standard. Optional inflatable rear seat belts added a rare layer of safety, though knee airbags were not offered. Adaptive cruise control, while available, did not match the autonomous lane-keeping capabilities of some competitors.