2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, first introduced in 2015, was based on the same platform as the Jeep Compass. While the Compass drew design inspiration from the Grand Cherokee, the Renegade clearly took cues from the iconic Wrangler SUV. It featured a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. The Renegade received a subtle refresh in 2019, and for 2021, those design changes continued, with some previously optional features becoming standard.

Inside, the Renegade boasted a modern, functional cabin design. The upright center stack, reminiscent of the Wrangler, placed controls within easy reach. The Renegade offered various trims and special editions, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk. Each trim provided a unique set of features, from the adventure-minded Upland with beefed-up skid plates to the luxury-focused Limited with leather upholstery and heated front seats.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, unlike its predecessors, stood out as a unique luxury SUV, distinct from the Ford Expedition despite sharing some underpinnings. The Navigator's design emphasized elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a three-ton truck riding on 22-inch wheels. Simple rectilinear shapes defined its grille, windows, headlights, and taillight assembly, with tasteful chrome accents adding a touch of class. The Pristine White example with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests across Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes, including the Slate Gray of the test truck, showcasing a taste for finer details. The wood trim layered behind the 10-inch touchscreen, the push-button gear selector blending into the center stack, and the floating center console with chromed switches all contributed to a muted and modern aesthetic. The materials were of high quality, and panel gaps were tight, with Black Label trims offering even more luxurious textures and softer leather.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with two engine options. The base engine was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded engine was a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder unit, delivering 177 horsepower and an impressive 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).

While neither engine was particularly spirited, the turbocharged engine provided added motivation with its extra torque and more refined performance. The automatic transmission sometimes struggled with smooth shifts, but the Renegade's solid ride quality and maneuverability in tight spaces made it a great city car. The Trailhawk trim, with its off-road suspension and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, was particularly capable on trails, earning Jeep's "Trail Rated" designation.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a single, powerful engine: a twin-turbo V6 from the Ford Raptor. With 3.5 liters of displacement, this engine produced 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, making the Navigator feel sprightly despite its size. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), the Navigator responded quickly and smoothly. Its 4WD system was particularly adept at switching between RWD and 4WD High.

Fuel economy was a weak point, with an average in the teens, fitting the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, though not as refined as the Cadillac Escalade's magnetic shocks and air springs. The steering and brakes were looser and softer compared to the Escalade, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. These specs were above average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Renegade's tall, boxy design provided ample headroom in both rows, with great legroom in the front seats and adequate space for adults in the rear. The Renegade also featured helpful storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold completely forward for added space.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, with its tall boxy design, provided ample space for six adults. It was technically a seven-passenger SUV, 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 provided even more space, with 34, 73, and 120 cubic feet, respectively. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for loading and unloading.

The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The second row had an optional console with integrated climate and stereo controls, though it lacked side window shades. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with separate thigh extensions, bolsters, and massage programs. The large windows and high driving position provided excellent visibility, though parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen available on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both touchscreens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, featuring a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and a helpful dock with icons for major functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on both screens, and a Kenwood premium audio system was available.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to the advanced displays in competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The Navigator's infotainment system was intuitive, sharing its basic interface with Ford but with a unique Lincoln skin. It lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. Rear entertainment included Roku media streaming and various connections.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made several previously optional safety features standard across the lineup. These included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and front and rear parking sensors were available as options. Despite these features, the Renegade received only four out of five stars in crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row, a rare safety feature. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional.