2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling, characterized by circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could take on different looks, with options like painted or exposed fenders, soft top or hardtop, but it always maintained its unmistakable identity. Inside, the Wrangler was not designed for comfort; it had an upright seating position, limited legroom, and seats adjusted with somewhat awkward ripcords. However, for the right type of driver, these quirks added to its charm.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. The Navigator's design featured simple rectilinear shapes, a few splashes of chrome, and a body-color grille in the Monochromatic Package. The interior was equally impressive, with seven color palettes and high-quality materials. The Slate Gray interior of the test model showcased a taste for finer details, such as layered wood trim and a floating center console. The Navigator's Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, making it one of the most comfortable and luxurious interiors in its class.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's 4WD systems, such as Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, catered to various off-roading needs. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivered 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a single but powerful engine: a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The 4WD system was smooth and responsive, making the Navigator feel sprightly despite its size. Towing capacity was impressive, with 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, and the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample space, with seating for six adults and a possible total of eight passengers with an optional bench. Cargo space was generous, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for loading and unloading. The Navigator Reserve had heated rear second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, making visibility easy despite the vehicle's size.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screens had crisp graphics and intuitive layouts. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt outdated compared to competitors. The instrument panel couldn't show full-screen maps or different designs, and the cameras were low-resolution. However, the software was intuitive, with a unique Lincoln interface. 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. Drive mode animations were beautiful, and the simplicity of the Lincoln's tech was a relief compared to more complex systems.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came with a backup camera and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with four stars for rollover resistance in 4WD models and three stars in RWD models. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 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.