2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out in the luxury SUV segment with its distinctive design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers incorporated unique front and rear styling, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Navigator 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 leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a dashboard with mid-century modern styling, and a panoramic glass roof, creating a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC40 embraced a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch. It shared familial styling cues with other Volvo models, such as the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The XC40 Recharge variant featured a blanked-off grille and model-specific alloy wheels, distinguishing it from gasoline models. Inside, the XC40 boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The interior design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents melding into a pleasing whole.

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 multiple drive modes like Conserve, Normal, and Excite. The Navigator had a maximum towing capacity of 3,764 kilograms and featured Pro Trailer Backup Assist for easier trailer maneuvering. Despite its strong acceleration, the Navigator's fuel efficiency averaged 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The SUV's adaptive damping suspension struggled with impact harshness on imperfect roads, but its body motion control was excellent.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The base T4 gasoline engine produced 187 horsepower, while the T5 delivered 248 hp. The Recharge model, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, boasted 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, with a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. The XC40 emphasized comfort over speed, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. The Recharge model offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample space for passengers to stretch out. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, and the second row could be configured with a bench or captain’s chairs. The third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were impressive, with the standard model offering up to 2,928 litres and the longer Navigator L providing up to 3,407 litres.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y. Clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin and large door bins, helped compensate for the lack of space. The centre console was designed to hold a phone securely, and a wireless charging pad was optional. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive technology, with slow loading times. It offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system included "Phone As A Key" technology, allowing smartphone use as a vehicle key. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience, and additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, with Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 9-inch touchscreen. Recharge models had OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The Recharge lacked a start button, requiring only a shift out of park to start.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS hadn't tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model included Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.