2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the same vehicle introduced in 2015, with design updates from 2017 carrying over. The 2017 model was the first to include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and by 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving only the LS and LT trims. The LS trim featured 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT trim added heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. It also included upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, in contrast, shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but distinguished itself with unique design elements. The Navigator Reserve, priced at $92,000, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. It featured simple rectilinear shapes for the grille, windows, headlights, and taillights, with tasteful chrome accents. The Pristine White model with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking. The interior impressed with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. Materials were high-quality, and panel gaps were tight, with Black Label trims offering even more luxurious textures and softer leather.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and during passing maneuvers, making plenty of noise. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes and bumps, but its tight turning radius provided solid maneuverability in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and were more fun to drive.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, featured a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, was available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Navigator felt sprightly and sounded terrific, with a smooth 4WD system and impressive towing capacity (8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models). Fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, fitting the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the superior control and supple ride of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but poorly bolstered rear seats. The Trax featured multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. It provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat folded flat for larger items, but there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, in contrast, offered ample space for six adults, with a possible total of eight passengers with an optional bench. The boxy shape provided generous cargo space: 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, and the second-row seats were heated with a three-zone climate system. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with large windows and a high driving position for excellent visibility. However, parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and hard buttons and dials. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

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 lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The Navigator included onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. Rear entertainment options included Roku media streaming and various connections. Drive mode animations were a nice touch, and the system was simple compared to more complex competitors.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included airbags and a backup camera, with additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection available in the LT Convenience Package. However, it lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance in 4WD models and three stars in RWD models. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as competitors.