2021 Lexus NX Hybrid vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome accents and unique styling elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system added a welcoming touch, while the lattice-type grille and illuminated star logo enhanced its distinctive appearance. The Navigator offered various trims and packages, including the Reserve Monochromatic Package, which provided a custom look with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator exuded luxury with Dark Slate leather, 30-way Perfect Position front seats, and a panoramic glass roof, creating a sophisticated and comfortable environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid presented a sharp, streamlined profile with a scowling face, maintaining a familiar yet distinct look. Despite its sporty F Sport styling, the NX Hybrid's design had not evolved significantly over the years. The interior featured a stepped center console and Black Line-specific seats with blue contrast stitching, offering comfort and support. However, the use of plastic switchgear and trim detracted from its luxury appeal. The NX Hybrid aimed for a sportier feel, with a high dashboard and door sides, but the material quality felt more akin to a mainstream brand.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine outperformed the Ford Expedition's most powerful version by 50 horsepower and 30 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission managed power delivery, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite, and boasted a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with RWD. Despite its size, the Navigator demonstrated excellent body motion control, though fuel economy averaged 16.4 mpg.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a total of 194 horsepower. Standard all-wheel drive provided traction, but the NX Hybrid's performance was more focused on efficiency than excitement, with a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds. The sport-tuned suspension improved handling, but the steering felt numb, and the drivetrain struggled with transitions between electric and gasoline power. Drive modes like Eco and Sport offered minimal impact on performance, emphasizing the NX Hybrid's focus on fuel efficiency rather than speed.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, with 30-way adjustable front seats and a choice between a bench or captain's chairs in the second row. The third row provided exceptional legroom and comfort, unmatched by competitors. Cargo capacity was class-leading, with up to 103.3 cubic feet in the standard model and 120.2 cubic feet in the Navigator L. The Navigator's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with features like triple-zone climate control and a wide storage console.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid, however, had limited interior space, with the least front headroom in its segment and cramped rear seats. The front seats offered good support, but rear legroom was lacking. The sloping roofline and thick pillars reduced rear visibility, though exterior mirrors helped compensate. Cargo space was limited, with 16.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53.7 cubic feet with them folded. The NX Hybrid's interior aimed for a sporty feel, but the design and space constraints might not appeal to those seeking a traditional SUV experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was a weak point, with slow loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system included "Phone As A Key" technology and a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system. Additional features included a surround-view camera and head-up display, though the optional rear-seat entertainment system was not included in the test vehicle.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system was also a drawback, with an 8-inch display and a challenging Remote Touch Interface touchpad. While it supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, the system felt outdated, with difficult-to-read menus. The base audio system was underwhelming, and the lack of a touchscreen made operation cumbersome. Despite these issues, analog controls for climate and audio were appreciated.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The NX Hybrid offered a comprehensive safety package, though it lacked a 360-degree camera system.