2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, distinguished by its chrome accents and unique styling elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition counterpart. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system added a touch of sophistication, welcoming owners with sequential illumination. The Navigator's design featured a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its luxurious appearance. Inside, the Navigator offered a mid-century modern aesthetic with high-quality materials, a panoramic glass roof, and advanced digital instrumentation, making it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, adopting a more muscular aesthetic with new LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. While it retained some of its original sophistication, the Pacifica's design leaned towards practicality and family-friendly features. The S Appearance Package added darkened features and black accents, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Pacifica offered a spacious and premium cabin, especially in the Pinnacle trim, with quilted Nappa leather seats, a flat dashboard, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Pacifica balanced practicality and luxury, making it a solid choice for families seeking a premium minivan.

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 a smooth and powerful driving experience. With multiple Lincoln Drive Modes, the Navigator could adapt to various driving conditions, offering modes like Conserve, Normal, Excite, and Slippery. Its towing capacity reached 3,764 kilograms, aided by the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system. However, fuel efficiency was a concern, with an average of 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-litre V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, and a hybrid version with a combined 260 horsepower. The hybrid model featured a dual-motor electrically variable transmission and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, providing an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres. The Pacifica's AWD system, available for the first time in 16 years, activated on-demand, enhancing traction in various conditions. The hybrid model achieved impressive fuel efficiency, using 2.9 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. The traditional V6 Pacifica had a combined fuel consumption of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres, while the AWD version consumed 12.0 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with optional 30-way Perfect Position front seats providing exceptional comfort. The second row could be configured with a bench or captain's chairs, and the third row offered ample legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was class-leading, with the standard model providing 592 litres behind the third row and up to 2,928 litres with seats folded. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements significantly, making it ideal for families needing extra space.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering a spacious cabin with practical features. The front seats provided ample space, and the centre console offered storage options. The Pacifica's Stow 'n Go seats allowed for easy configuration changes, and the cargo area offered best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres. The Pacifica's interior was well-suited for transporting children and adults, with plenty of legroom in the second and third rows. The minivan's design prioritized functionality and convenience, making it a top choice for families.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured the Sync 3 infotainment system, which, while functional, was not the most impressive aspect of the SUV. It offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system's voice recognition worked reasonably well, but it lacked the natural feel of more advanced systems. The Reserve's 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 Chrysler Pacifica boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable experience. It was graphically appealing, responsive, and easy to use. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with navigation that rerouted quickly. The Pacifica's second-row entertainment system offered games and ports for personal entertainment. The Pinnacle model featured FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with advanced features. The Harman Kardon sound system provided a high-quality listening experience, enhancing the minivan's appeal.

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 the lane-keeping assistance system was effective. The SUV received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, highlighting its safety credentials.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 standard or available safety features, with many included in the Touring-L grade. These features included automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, underscoring its commitment to safety.