2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a design that fit well within Ford's SUV lineup, sharing a family resemblance with models like the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. Its exterior was sporty with raked belt lines and distinctive visages, though it could be hard to distinguish from the Edge at a quick glance. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, it featured three rows of seats as standard, with the base model offering cloth upholstery and a clean dashboard dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen. The XLT trim, the most popular, added better equipment and finishes, while higher trims like the Limited and ST offered leather upholstery and more advanced features.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, stood out with its elegance and understatement, despite its massive size and 22-inch wheels. It shared some design elements with the Ford Expedition but felt unique with its rectilinear shapes, body-color grille, and full-width taillight assembly. The interior was luxurious, with seven color palettes and high-quality materials. The Navigator's Perfect Position seats could adjust in 30 different ways, offering unparalleled comfort. The Black Label trims took luxury even further with more textures and softer leather. The Navigator's design and materials made it feel like a high-end vehicle, worthy of its $92,000 MSRP.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, offered a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed the Kia Telluride's V6 but had to compensate for the Explorer's heavier weight. All trims featured a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Limited Hybrid trim increased power to 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims boasted a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The sport-oriented ST trim offered the most engaging driving experience with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a single, powerful engine: a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, made the Navigator feel surprisingly agile for its size. The Navigator offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) options, with towing capacities of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. Fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, and the suspension felt less refined compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. However, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a comfortable highway cruiser.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base trim, with captain's chairs in the second row for other trims, reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, which was competitive but not class-leading. With the third row deployed, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, with its boxy design, provided ample space for six adults. It technically seated seven, but 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 increased these figures to 34, 73, and 120 cubic feet, respectively. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, adding convenience. The Navigator's front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, while the second row offered optional heated seats and a three-zone climate system.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims added a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, HD radio, and an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen with up to 14 speakers. The Explorer also provided multiple USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer competitors. Its infotainment system was intuitive but lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The Navigator offered 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as an ignition key. Rear entertainment included Roku media streaming and various connection options. The Navigator's technology was user-friendly but felt dated compared to rivals.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. It came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

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. It lacked knee airbags but offered optional inflatable rear seat belts. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional but less advanced than competitors.