2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its traditional Jeep styling cues, such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. Its balanced appearance made it versatile enough to fit in both rugged outdoor settings and upscale environments, appealing to a diverse range of buyers. The Grand Cherokee's pricing started at an MSRP of $46,245 for the Laredo model and went up to $71,045 for the Summit, with high-performance versions like the SRT and Trackhawk reaching even higher price points. The Limited X variant, painted in Slate Blue Pearl, featured a sport-themed design with a ventilated hood and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom look. However, the interior materials, especially in models priced over $60,000, were a letdown, with an overuse of hard plastics detracting from the overall luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design elements, including chrome accents and the Lincoln Embrace lighting system. Sharing a platform with the Ford Expedition, the Navigator differentiated itself with unique front and rear styling, a lattice-type grille, and full-width taillights. The interior, especially with the Luxury Package, offered 30-way Perfect Position front seats and a dashboard with mid-century modern styling cues. The Navigator's digital instrumentation and 10-inch infotainment touchscreen set it apart from its Ford counterpart. The panoramic glass roof and high-quality materials added to the luxurious feel, making the Navigator a convincing flagship SUV.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing satisfying acceleration and a fuel consumption rating of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, the 6.4-litre Hemi V8 in the SRT with 475 hp, and the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the Trackhawk with 707 hp. The Grand Cherokee offered four different 4WD systems, with the Trailhawk model being the most off-road capable. However, its driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements and average steering and brakes.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a single engine choice, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive were standard, with multiple drive modes available. The Navigator's towing capacity reached 3,764 kilograms, aided by the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system. While acceleration was strong, the engine lacked the V8 rumble some might desire. The Navigator averaged 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres in testing, slightly above the official rating. Despite its size, the Navigator's adaptive damping suspension and body motion control provided a hint of athleticism, though it was best suited for open roads.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and cargo space of 1,028 litres behind the backseat, expanding to 1,934 litres with the seats folded. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but lacked ventilation. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate comfort with air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks on the front seatbacks.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample space and comfort. The Luxury Package's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with power-adjustable pedals and steering wheel. The second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs, with triple-zone climate control and heated rear seats. The third row provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were impressive, with the standard model offering up to 2,928 litres and the longer Navigator L providing up to 3,407 litres.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, and smartphone integration. While the system was user-friendly, the ride quality sometimes made it difficult to select virtual buttons. The Off-Road Pages app provided useful information for off-roading, and the optional Alpine audio system offered good sound quality.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was less impressive, with slow loading times. However, it included Bluetooth, smartphone integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling listening experience, and additional technologies included a surround-view camera and head-up display.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems, with features like blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, its crash-test ratings were unimpressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and poor ratings from the IIHS.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came standard with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection, including features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated with refinement, and its safety was supported by a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.