2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, setting itself apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers gave it unique front and rear styling, along with the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that welcomed owners with sequential illumination. The Navigator featured a distinctive lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its upscale appearance. Inside, the Navigator offered a leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, digital instrumentation, and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, creating a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave aimed to recapture Buick's past glory with its impressive size and styling. The Enclave was the largest of Buick's SUVs, offering a spacious and quiet cabin thanks to QuietTuning technology. The Avenir trim added a unique grille, brightwork, and 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium look. Inside, the Enclave featured a minimalist design with soft leather seats, a wood-and-leather steering wheel, and a stylish centre console. While the Enclave's wood accents weren't genuine, its overall design exuded a sense of luxury.

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. A 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive were standard, with multiple drive modes to tailor the powertrain to various driving conditions. The Navigator's towing capacity reached 3,764 kilograms, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist for easier trailer maneuvering. Despite its size, the Navigator offered strong acceleration and excellent body motion control, though fuel efficiency was a concern, averaging 14.3 L/100 km.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on the Essence trim, while all-wheel drive was available on higher trims. The Enclave's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms. The V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and the Enclave's premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping ensured a comfortable ride. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with an average of 11.1 L/100 km on the testing loop.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious interior with ample room for passengers and cargo. The optional Luxury Package included 30-way Perfect Position front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and a heated steering wheel. Second-row seating options included a bench or captain's chairs, with heated rear seats and triple-zone climate control. The Navigator's third-row seat provided exceptional legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was class-leading, with up to 3,407 litres in the long-wheelbase Navigator L.

The 2021 Buick Enclave boasted a roomy interior for up to seven passengers, with QuietTuning technology ensuring a serene cabin. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat offered commendable comfort, and cargo space was generous, with up to 2,764 litres available. The Enclave's large rear doors and captain's chairs facilitated easy access to the third row.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was a weak point, with slow loading times. However, it offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, providing a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with quick response times and a user-friendly interface. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The Avenir trim offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10-speaker Bose sound system. The Enclave also featured a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what's behind the vehicle.

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 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims, with the Driver Confidence Plus Package available on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.