2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out as a luxurious flagship SUV, distinguished by its unique design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. The exterior featured a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its upscale 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 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, enhancing the overall luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, giving it a more muscular and imposing presence. The squared-off nose featured a deeper V-Motion grille, flanked by narrow LED headlamps and functional air vents. Despite its boxier proportions, the Rogue achieved a respectable drag coefficient of 0.33. The exterior colour palette was simplified, with two-tone options available on the Platinum grade. Inside, the Rogue offered a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system, adding functional storage space. The second-row doors opened wider for improved access, and the interior featured standard heated front seats and a range of upgrades across trims, including leatherette upholstery and a panoramic sunroof.

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 were standard, with multiple drive modes to tailor the driving experience. The Navigator boasted a maximum towing capacity of 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, with an average of 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. The Navigator excelled on open roads, offering excellent body motion control, though its size was a challenge in urban settings.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine improved performance and fuel efficiency over the previous generation. The Rogue's curb weight ranged from 1,536 to 1,653 kilograms, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a smoother driving experience. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the Rogue achieving 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 7.0 on the highway in front-wheel drive configuration. All-wheel drive was available, enhancing the Rogue's versatility. The new design improved handling, with better torsional rigidity and stability control systems, resulting in a planted and stable road feel.

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. The Navigator's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with features like triple-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue focused on functional updates across all trims. The cabin was quieter, and a new shift-by-wire system added storage space. The second-row doors opened wider, improving access, and headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats and a range of upgrades, such as a panoramic sunroof and leatherette upholstery. The Platinum grade offered a redesigned cargo system with 1,028 litres of space with seats upright and 2,064 litres with them folded. The Rogue's interior was practical and well-equipped, with thoughtful design changes enhancing usability.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was a weak point, 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 an immersive experience, and additional technologies included a surround-view camera and head-up display.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The SV grade added a Wi-Fi hotspot and additional USB ports. The Platinum grade upgraded to a 9-inch screen with wireless phone charging and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The Bose 10-speaker audio system was a highlight, though the digital instrument cluster's graphics were hard to read.

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

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, with forward emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model introduced ProPILOT Assist for highway driving assistance. The Rogue earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with improvements made to later models.