2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that differentiated it from the Ford Expedition, its platform mate. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system, lattice-type grille insert, and illuminated star logo added to its distinctive look. The Reserve Monochromatic Package, available in select colors, further enhanced its custom appearance with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements, and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator boasted mid-century modern styling cues, a panoramic glass roof, and high-quality materials, making it a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 took a sleek and smooth design approach, avoiding the deeply-creased hoods and chiseled grilles common in other models. The base CX-5 Sport featured automatic LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, and a rear roof spoiler. Higher trims like the Touring and Grand Touring added features such as leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control, and auto-leveling LED headlights. The top-tier Signature model offered premium touches like Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats and genuine wood trim, rivaling offerings from Buick, Infiniti, and Acura.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered multiple drive modes and a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, though fuel economy was a concern, averaging 16.4 mpg. Despite its size, the Navigator handled well on open roads, though it felt large around town. Features like a tight turning radius, parking assist, and numerous camera views helped with maneuverability.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. The base engine provided decent fuel economy, while the turbo engine delivered more spirited performance. The CX-5's sporty driving style was engaging, though its stiff suspension could be a drawback. Fuel economy for the turbo engine was slightly lower, with AWD models achieving 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, with the test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats providing exceptional comfort. The second row could be configured with either a bench or captain's chairs, and the third row offered class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was also impressive, with the standard-length model providing up to 103.3 cubic feet of volume, and the longer Navigator L offering up to 120.2 cubic feet.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5's interior design was functional and comfortable, though rear legroom was limited. The SUV featured straightforward climate controls and a larger shifter that took up passenger space. Cargo space was below average for the segment, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The CX-5's cargo capacity was outmatched by competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its weakest point, with slow loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging. 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, though the test vehicle lacked the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touch screen, though its operating system was not user-friendly. The lack of knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through favorites was a drawback, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The infotainment controls were not easily accessible for shorter drivers, and the system's design was not in keeping with the vehicle's high-class feel.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving 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 its rollover resistance rating was just three stars with rear-wheel drive. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered a long list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. Optional features included a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Mazda backed the CX-5 with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.