2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a clever adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, designed to capture the growing market for crossovers with its rugged appearance, standard all-wheel drive, and elevated driving position. It shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Legacy and Outback, offering a refined driving experience. The Crosstrek stood out with its black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a higher ride height providing 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Its vibrant color options, such as Plasma Yellow Pearl, added to its appeal. Inside, the Crosstrek retained the Impreza's functional but plain interior, with some questionable design choices like the clashing color accents in the Sport trim. Despite these quirks, the Crosstrek offered practical features like water-repellant upholstery, making it a versatile choice for adventurous drivers.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator exuded elegance and sophistication, setting itself apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Its design featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and tasteful chrome accents, creating a classy appearance. The Pristine White model with black wheels and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven color palettes and attention to detail, such as the layered wood trim and floating center console. The materials were of high quality, and the Black Label trims elevated the luxury experience further. The Perfect Position seats offered unparalleled comfort with 30 adjustable settings, making long journeys a pleasure. While the Navigator's size posed challenges in handling, its overall refinement and power made it a compelling choice for those seeking a luxurious and spacious SUV.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrain options. The Sport and Limited trims featured a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with the 2.0-liter boxer-four, delivering 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The boxer engine's design, with cylinders parallel to the ground, contributed to a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling. However, the SUV-like stance somewhat negated this benefit. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trims, while a CVT was optional. The Sport and Limited trims were CVT-only, offering the larger engine. All trims came with standard AWD, featuring torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved traction on loose surfaces. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Crosstrek excelled on pavement, offering predictable handling and a comfortable ride. The new 2.5-liter engine provided adequate acceleration, though the CVT's droning was noticeable.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. Available in RWD or 4WD, the Navigator's 4WD system was smooth and responsive. It had a substantial towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, its fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, aligning with the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, though not as refined as competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. While the steering and brakes lacked precision, the Navigator's low-end thrust and plush cabin made it a comfortable highway cruiser. Paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. It provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded. While competitive in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals in cargo capacity. It featured a rear-seat reminder system, a handy cubby hole for phones, and decent-sized bottle holders. However, it lacked rear USB ports, limiting convenience for passengers. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but not as elevated as traditional SUVs, though visibility was excellent.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious interior, accommodating up to eight passengers. Its boxy shape maximized cargo space, 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, adding convenience. The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. While the second-row seats were removable for extra storage, they lacked electric reclining. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with numerous adjustments and massage functions. The Navigator's large windows and high driving position ensured excellent visibility, though parking was challenging due to its size.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured Subaru's Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi, SiriusXM, and a CD player. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim and optional on others. The system was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions. A secondary screen displayed additional information, though it seemed redundant.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer competitors. While lacking some advanced features, the infotainment system was intuitive and shared its interface with Ford models. It offered voice recognition, onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connectivity options. Drive mode animations added a touch of flair to the instrument panel, and the simplicity of the system was a welcome contrast to more complex setups.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in side crash tests. The IIHS awarded the 2020 model a "Top Safety Pick" rating, contingent on optional EyeSight features. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The system's cameras were well-protected but had limitations in certain conditions.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with slightly lower scores for rollover resistance. 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, though it didn't match the self-steering capabilities of some competitors.