2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

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 illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Navigator featured a distinctive lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights. Its black roof pillars created a wraparound glass appearance, enhancing its premium look. Inside, the Navigator offered a mid-century modern styled dashboard, digital instrumentation, and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen. The interior was bathed in natural light from a panoramic glass roof, and high-quality materials were used throughout, making it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 combined elements from the Nissan Armada with Infiniti's distinct styling. While it shared the basic body shell with the Armada, the QX80's front-end design was all Infiniti, giving it an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights added to its appeal. Inside, the QX80's design closely resembled the Armada, with wood trim and semi-aniline leather upholstery adding a touch of luxury. However, the interior still felt more Nissan than Infiniti, with some features like a foot-operated parking brake detracting from its high-end aspirations. Despite this, the QX80 maintained a properly luxurious feel, though it lacked the exclusivity some buyers might seek.

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 various drive modes like Conserve, Normal, and Excite to tailor the driving experience. The Navigator's towing capacity reached 3,764 kilograms, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist for easier trailer maneuvering. While acceleration was strong, the engine's sound lacked the V8 rumble some might prefer. Fuel efficiency was a concern, averaging 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres. Despite its size, the Navigator's body motion control was excellent, though it felt best on open roads with smooth pavement. Around town, features like a tight turning radius and parking assist helped with maneuverability.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured a 5.6-litre V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. While not as powerful as some competitors, the engine was responsive, making highway overtaking stress-free. The ride was comfortable, thanks to independent suspension and Hydraulic Body Motion Control on ProACTIVE models. However, body roll was noticeable in corners, and the steering, though precise, promoted a relaxed driving style. The QX80 excelled in towing and off-road capability, with a 4WD drivetrain and a maximum towing capacity of 3,855 kilograms. Despite its size, the QX80's off-road prowess was limited by its wheel-and-tire combinations and lack of advanced off-road aids.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample space for passengers. The optional Luxury Package included 30-way Perfect Position front seats, though finding the ideal settings took time. The second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs, with the latter providing additional features like a centre console with audio controls. The third row was spacious, offering class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was also impressive, with the standard model providing up to 2,928 litres and the long-wheelbase version offering up to 3,407 litres.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an eight-seat option available. Front seats offered 10-way and eight-way adjustability, though thigh support was lacking. Passenger space was competitive, but not class-leading, with the third row accommodating adults comfortably. Cargo space was less than competitors, with a maximum of 2,694 litres. Standard features included a power liftgate and power-folding third row, but storage space in the centre console was limited, and front-door cupholders were not well-designed.

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 use as a vehicle key. 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 INFINITI QX80 featured the InTouch dual-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 17-speaker Bose audio system. The system's user interface was complicated, with small screens and confusing controls. However, helpful tech like the Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor made driving easier. The mirror provided a streaming-video display, eliminating blind spots, while the camera system offered multiple views.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came 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 adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, and the lane-keeping assistance was effective. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The ProACTIVE grade included additional features like Backup Collision Intervention. While these features were common, Infiniti made many of them standard.