2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, maintaining traditional styling features like a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille. The details made the difference, with softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights. The Inscription trim level, with extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, giving it a car-based crossover feel.

Inside, the XC90 embraced “Swedish minimalism” with thoughtfully arranged, nice-looking materials. The matte-finish wood trim had a natural appearance, and the wool upholstery option was unique. The Orrefors crystal shifter in the test car added a high-end touch, though it seemed out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, distinguished itself from its Ford Expedition roots with a unique design and luxurious feel. The Navigator's elegance and understatement were evident despite its three-ton size, with simple rectilinear shapes defining the grille, windows, headlights, and taillights. Chrome accents and a light show when unlocking or locking the remote added to its classy appearance. The Pristine White example with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests.

Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes and finer details like layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were high-quality, and panel gaps were tight. The Black Label trims offered even more textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats, with 30-way adjustments, provided exceptional comfort. The Navigator's interior was spacious and luxurious, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all built around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8.

Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled to provide the flexibility of six-cylinder or V8 engines in competitor SUVs. The XC90 Recharge's electric power was limited, and the gasoline engine often had to assist even at low speeds. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only practical at low speeds with gentle acceleration. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and provided a quiet cabin. The XC90 had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, with the base FWD T5 rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a single, powerful engine: a twin-turbo V6 from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt sprightly and responsive. The 4WD system was smooth and efficient, and the Navigator had an impressive towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models.

Fuel economy was a downside, with the Navigator averaging in the teens, matching the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors. The steering and brakes lacked the precision and control found in the Cadillac Escalade. However, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser. Paddle shifters added a touch of sportiness with quick reaction times and rev-matched downshifts.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, enhancing the spacious feel. Standard four-zone climate control could be augmented with a filtration system.

Up front, the Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but a power-adjustable steering wheel was not available. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin and few storage options on the console. Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model was near the bottom of the segment, with 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample space, with a tall boxy shape that could house six adults comfortably. It was technically a seven-passenger SUV, but the third row's middle seat was best suited for children. The second row featured manually-reclining and tilting captain's chairs, with an optional bench for a total of eight passengers. 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 offered even more storage space. 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 second row could be equipped with an optional console with integrated climate and stereo controls. However, German competitors offered more advanced features like five-zone climate control and heated third-row seats. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with separate left and right thigh extensions, thigh bolsters, torso bolsters, an upper backrest tilt, a four-way headrest, three-way lumbar, and two massage programs. The large windows and high driving position provided excellent visibility, though parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. The XC90 came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports were standard, with a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display available.

The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation through menus. The lack of analog controls was not an issue, as the touchscreen worked well and complemented the minimalist interior design. However, the text and typeface used in the menus could be difficult to read while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback for drivers with newer phones.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer competitors. The instrument panel lacked advanced features like full-screen maps and different designs, and the cameras were low-resolution. The infotainment system could not wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional.

Despite these limitations, the Navigator's software was intuitive and easy to use, with a unique Lincoln interface. Voice recognition was fast and accurate, but there were no onboard apps or wireless software updates through the vehicle's modem. 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. Lincoln's remote app functions were included for five years, with SiriusXM traffic data for six years. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various USB, HDMI, and wireless connections. Drive mode animations on the instrument panel added a touch of elegance.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models. It earned top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle testing, with an “Advanced” rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian testing. Headlights and LATCH child-seat anchors received “Acceptable” ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all 2021 XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover testing.

The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles. However, it struggled with highway curves and was not meant to replace an attentive human driver.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator did not offer knee airbags, but optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row were a rare safety feature intended to reduce chest injuries.

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 and lane-tracking capabilities were not as advanced as competitors.