2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, thanks to its distinctive design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. The Navigator featured unique front and rear styling, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that illuminated the vehicle to welcome its owner. The lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights were signature design elements. Inside, the Navigator offered a luxurious experience with its 30-way Perfect Position front seats, mid-century modern dashboard, and high-quality materials, making it a convincing flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Audi Q5 presented a sharp and modern appearance, embodying the Audi design language while maintaining its unique character. The Q5 featured an expressive front with LED headlights and a prominent Singleframe grille. Its body styling was marked by crisp character lines and a protective greenhouse, complemented by bold taillights. Inside, the Q5 was equally classy, with a clean and modern design. The interior boasted high-quality materials, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and a well-organized layout, providing a sophisticated and tech-savvy environment.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Ford Expedition's most powerful version. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, with multiple drive modes to tailor the driving experience. The Navigator excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 3,764 kilograms, aided by the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system. Despite its size, the Navigator offered strong acceleration and excellent body motion control, though fuel efficiency was a concern, averaging 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 362 horsepower and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup allowed for impressive acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, and offered excellent fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. The Q5 PHEV featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, with multiple driving modes for optimal efficiency. Its handling was sporty yet comfortable, with minimal body roll and powerful braking.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample room for passengers across all three rows. The optional Luxury Package provided 30-way adjustable front seats, while the second row could be configured with captain's chairs and a centre console. The Navigator excelled in cargo space, with up to 3,407 litres available in the long-wheelbase version. Its interior was designed for comfort, with triple-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV provided a well-packaged interior, with its battery pack located under the luggage compartment floor to preserve cargo space. It offered 710 litres of space behind the second row, expanding to 1,503 litres with the seats folded. The Q5's second row provided reasonable legroom and headroom, accommodating two adults comfortably. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, with available ventilation. The interior featured smart storage solutions and a clean, functional design.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, with slow loading times. However, it offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided excellent sound quality, and additional technologies included a surround-view camera and head-up display.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi's latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch instrument cluster. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. The Q5's interior lighting was customizable, enhancing the cabin's futuristic feel.

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-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not tested it.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV shared many safety features with its gasoline counterpart, which received top ratings from the IIHS, except for headlights. The Q5 included six airbags, electronic stability control, and available driver-assistance features like Audi Pre Sense front and adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA awarded the gasoline model five stars, with PHEV ratings expected to match.