2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite efforts to enhance its rugged appearance with a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in five trims in Canada, with AWD as standard. The Black Edition, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, was priced at $58,806, including destination charges. While the interior boasted quality materials, the design felt reminiscent of a minivan, which, along with its exterior, did not favourably impact its appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator exuded elegance and understatement, a challenging feat for a large SUV. Sharing its basic structure with the Ford Expedition, the Navigator distinguished itself with unique styling elements and a luxurious interior. The Pristine White model tested featured a monochromatic package with a body-colour grille and black wheels. The interior impressed with seven colour palettes and high-quality materials, including the Perfect Position seats with 30-way adjustability. The Navigator's design and build quality justified its $97,000 MSRP, offering a refined experience that rivalled luxury brands.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring AWD, provided a smooth and responsive driving experience. The Pilot's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.0 L/100 km combined, with the test vehicle achieving 10.9 L/100 km. The suspension offered a comfortable ride and agile handling, though off-road capability was limited by its ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD, made the Navigator feel agile despite its size. The towing capacity was substantial at 3,765 kg. However, fuel efficiency was poor, averaging in the double digits, aligning with the estimated 13.8 L/100 km combined rating. While the Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, it lacked the refinement of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench. The Black Edition featured comfortable heated and ventilated front seats, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, providing comfort and easy access to the third row. Cargo space was generous, with 524 litres behind the third row and up to 3,092 litres with seats folded. Storage solutions were abundant, enhancing practicality.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a spacious interior, accommodating up to seven passengers comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs were standard, with an optional bench for eight-passenger seating. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 546 litres behind the third row and up to 2,925 litres total. The Navigator L variant offered even more space. The front seats were highly adjustable and luxurious, providing excellent visibility. However, parking was challenging due to its size, despite the 360-degree cameras.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered navigation, wireless charging, and a premium audio system. The system was functional but lacked advanced features and required specific voice commands. The Touring trim added a rear-seat entertainment system with various connectivity options, though kids might prefer using their own devices with the Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system felt outdated compared to competitors. While it included Bluetooth and SiriusXM, it lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system was good but not exceptional. The software was intuitive, sharing its interface with Ford, but lacked onboard apps and wireless updates. The Navigator offered wireless charging and smartphone ignition, with a rear entertainment system featuring Roku streaming and various connections.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring. While effective, the system was not the most refined. The Pilot received favourable crash-test ratings, with five stars from NHTSA and high marks from IIHS, except for an "acceptable" score in small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance. IIHS had not rated it. The Navigator offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist, with optional inflatable rear seat belts. Adaptive cruise control was available but lacked advanced lane-tracking capabilities.