2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, distinguished by its unique design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its sophisticated appearance. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system added a welcoming touch, while the black roof pillars created a wraparound glass effect. Inside, the Navigator offered a luxurious experience with its mid-century modern dashboard, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic glass roof. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the Luxury Package, provided exceptional comfort with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance rugged styling with family-friendly functionality. Despite a 2019 refresh and the introduction of the Black Edition, the Pilot's exterior design remained polarizing. The Black Edition featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents, adding a touch of sportiness. Inside, the Pilot offered a practical and spacious cabin with quality materials, though it resembled a minivan from the front seat. The Pilot's design prioritized functionality, with ample storage solutions and a comfortable ride, but its exterior design and third-row comfort left room for improvement.

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. A 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive ensured smooth power delivery, while Lincoln Drive Modes allowed drivers to tailor the powertrain to various driving conditions. The Navigator's towing capacity reached 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 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, the Pilot offered a smooth and refined driving experience. Intelligent Traction Management provided driving modes for different conditions, while fuel-saving technologies like variable-cylinder management contributed to an average fuel consumption of 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres. The Pilot's suspension delivered a comfortable ride with unexpectedly athletic handling, though its off-road capabilities were limited by modest ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious and luxurious interior, with ample room for passengers to stretch out. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the Luxury Package, provided exceptional comfort, though finding the ideal settings required some time. The Navigator's second-row seats could be configured with a bench or captain's chairs, and the third-row seats offered class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was generous, with the standard model providing up to 2,928 litres and the long-wheelbase Navigator L offering up to 3,407 litres.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, with seating for up to eight people. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, though the front passenger seat had limited adjustment options. Second-row captain's chairs were available, offering comfort and easy access to the third row. While third-row comfort was average, the Pilot excelled in storage solutions, with numerous compartments and a large centre console. Cargo space was competitive, with up to 3,092 litres available when the third-row seats were folded.

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

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered built-in navigation, wireless phone charging, and a premium audio system. The Touring trim added a rear-seat entertainment system and Cabin Talk feature. While the system was adequate, it lacked a tuning knob and required specific voice commands for operation.

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 Honda Pilot featured Honda Sensing, a package of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Touring trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot received favourable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.