2021 Chevrolet Blazer vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, setting itself apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers crafted unique front and rear styling elements, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its distinct appearance. Inside, the Navigator offered a leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a dashboard with mid-century modern styling, and a panoramic glass roof, creating a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer impressed with its sporty and aggressive exterior, drawing comparisons to high-end models like the Lamborghini Urus. Its wedgy profile, slim-cut windows, and sawblade 20-inch wheels gave it a striking presence. The Blazer's design borrowed elements from the Camaro, with a snarling face and muscled body, making it a head-turner. However, the interior fell short, with a low-rent feel and unsupportive seats. Despite its stylish exterior, the Blazer's cabin materials and features did not match its over-$50,000 price tag, leaving it behind competitors in terms of interior quality.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a 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. While acceleration was strong, the engine lacked the V8 rumble some might desire. Fuel efficiency was a concern, averaging 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres. Despite its size, the Navigator offered excellent body motion control and maneuverability in tight spaces.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered two engine options in Canada, with the preferred choice being the 3.6-litre V6, producing 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a strong and agile performance, especially with the RS trim's sport-tuned suspension and mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle. However, the transmission calibration had issues, with slow responses and a convoluted manual mode. The Blazer's fuel consumption ratings were average, with the AWD V6 drivetrain achieving 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres combined. While the Blazer handled well, its transmission issues detracted from the overall driving experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with power running boards aiding entry. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats provided exceptional comfort, and the second-row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs. The third-row seat accommodated passengers comfortably, with class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were impressive, with the standard-length model offering up to 2,928 litres and the longer Navigator L providing up to 3,407 litres.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, as a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four passengers. Its low roof height was offset by seats mounted lower into the floor, making entry and exit easy. However, sightlines were poor due to the design, though large side-view mirrors and a rear-view mirror camera improved visibility. Cargo space was decent, with 1,818 litres available with the rear seat folded. The Blazer's towing capacity reached 2,041 kilograms with the right configuration. Controls were user-friendly, and the infotainment system was fast and easy to use.

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. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet Infotainment 3, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. The RS trim added wireless phone charging, LED headlights, and adaptive cruise control. The infotainment system included navigation, onboard apps, and the ability to pair two phones. Unique GM features allowed settings to be uploaded to a cloud account for transfer to other GM vehicles. The system's app store functioned like a smartphone, with easy downloads and updates.

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

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer included standard driver assist features like forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though its headlights received lower ratings. The Blazer lacked some advanced features like rear emergency braking and a semi-automated function for traffic.