2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that distinguished it from its Ford Expedition counterpart. Designers crafted unique front and rear styling elements, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Navigator's lattice-type grille, illuminated star logo, and full-width taillights were distinctive design hallmarks. Inside, the Navigator offered a mid-century modern styled dashboard, digital instrumentation, and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, all contributing to its luxurious feel. The panoramic glass roof and high-quality materials further enhanced the interior's opulence.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth-generation compact crossover lineup, presented a familiar and fun design. Its curvy, car-like lines and resemblance to Honda's sedan lineup gave it a modern family transportation appeal. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with low-quality plastics. Despite this, the CR-V maintained a practical and functional design, with a focus on providing a comfortable and spacious environment for passengers.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering an impressive 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. The Navigator's 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive system provided smooth power delivery, with multiple drive modes to tailor the driving experience. Its towing capacity reached 3,764 kilograms, aided by the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system. Despite its size, the Navigator offered a hint of athleticism, though fuel efficiency was a concern, averaging 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CR-V's powertrain was well-matched, offering a quick and responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode. Its car-like demeanor translated to excellent road manners, with nimble handling and minimal body roll. The CR-V's lightweight design contributed to its fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres and AWD models at 8.1, making it one of the most efficient in its class.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with the optional Luxury Package providing 30-way Perfect Position front seats. The second row could be configured with a bench or captain's chairs, and the third row provided ample legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with the standard model offering up to 2,928 litres and the longer Navigator L providing up to 3,407 litres. The Navigator's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with features like triple-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and practicality, with a roomy cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan. Its excellent seating position and low cowl provided good visibility, while clever storage solutions, like the deep centre console and two-position load floor, enhanced functionality. The CR-V offered up to 1,110 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and its door pockets provided additional storage. The CR-V's interior was designed for everyday usability, making it easy to accommodate passengers and cargo.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was a weak point, with slow loading times. However, it offered features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone integration for vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience, and additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but navigation was only available in higher trims. The CR-V offered ample USB ports and a wireless phone charger in the Touring and Black Edition trims, providing convenience for device charging.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, and its lane-keeping assistance was effective. The SUV earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not tested it.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured the Honda Sensing suite of safety features as standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with LED headlights improving nighttime visibility in higher trims. A safety recall affected a small number of CR-Vs for a rear subframe issue.