2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting nicely with the rest of the Volvo lineup. It featured “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille, with gasoline models offering a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge was distinguished by a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also had a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a slightly different rear bumper, and a model-exclusive color—Sage Green Metallic. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents melding together seamlessly.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, in contrast, was a large, elegant SUV that shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but felt unique. It featured simple rectilinear shapes defining the grille, windows, headlights, and taillight assembly, with splashes of chrome for a classy look. The Pristine White example with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking. Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes and high-quality materials. The wood trim, push-button gear selector, floating center console, and minimalist digital instrument panel added to its modern feel. The Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, making the interior one of the most comfortable in its class.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The electric Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring one electric motor for each axle, providing AWD and a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. The Recharge had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity, and could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The T5 and T4 models took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on winter-ravaged roads, and was capable of one-pedal driving. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt sprightly despite its size. It offered both RWD and 4WD options, with a towing capacity of 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 less refined ride compared to competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. The steering and brakes felt looser, but the Navigator excelled in low-end thrust and highway refinement. Paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness with quick reaction times and rev-matched downshifts.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, it had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited in size. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, including a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped for a phone, with a wireless charging pad optional and a single USB-C port standard. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had ample space, accommodating six adults comfortably. It was technically a seven-passenger SUV, but the third row's middle seat was best suited for children. 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, a convenient feature for packed cargo areas. The Navigator Reserve had heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with features like separate thigh extensions, torso bolsters, and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking was challenging due to its size.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, with Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps built-in. It also supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The standard setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge had OTA update capability for both the infotainment system and other vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to simply shift out of park with the key fob on their person.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer competitors. The instrument panel couldn't show full-screen maps or different designs, and the cameras were low-resolution. The infotainment system couldn't wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. 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 connection options. Drive mode animations were a nice touch, and the simplicity of the system was a relief compared to more complex competitors.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, a driver-alertness monitor, run-off road mitigation, oncoming lane mitigation, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model had Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. 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 less advanced than competitors.