2019 Ford Edge vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2019 Ford Edge received a facelift that included a new grille, headlights, and lower front fascia, giving it a sportier appearance. The rear also saw updates with new taillights and a larger black panel replacing the red connector between the taillights. Despite these exterior changes, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, feeling dated and heavily reliant on plastics. The cabin featured a new rotary shifter and plenty of standard and available features across its SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design elements, including a lattice-type grille insert, illuminated star logo, and full-width taillights. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system added a welcoming touch. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package offered a custom look with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. The Navigator's interior was a blend of mid-century modern styling and high-quality materials, featuring 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and a wide, two-tiered storage console.

The 2019 Ford Edge offered a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine for non-ST trims, producing 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The ST trim featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, also mated to an 8-speed automatic but with standard all-wheel drive. The Edge ST provided impressive acceleration and cornering abilities, while non-ST trims offered a smoother ride. Fuel economy for the base engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the ST returned 19/26/21.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with a single engine option: a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available. The Navigator's multiple drive modes tailored the powertrain to various driving conditions. It had a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive. Fuel economy was 18 mpg combined, with the test vehicle averaging 16.4 mpg. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, though it felt large around town.

The 2019 Ford Edge's cabin, though dated, was practical with deep storage bins, USB ports, and available wireless charging. The ST trim featured bucket seats with pronounced side bolsters, but these seats were not ideal for taller drivers. The rear seats offered ample head- and legroom, and cargo space was generous with 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered exceptional comfort and space. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and heated steering wheel ensured a perfect driving position. The second row could be configured with a bench or captain's chairs, and the third row provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was also class-leading, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet in total for the standard-length model. The longer Navigator L offered even more space.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system featured a small 4.2-inch non-touchscreen with basic functionality, including a USB port, WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth. The SEL trim and above offered an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, providing a more user-friendly experience despite middling graphics.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was slow to load but included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The voice recognition system required specific command pathways. The Reserve's Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system with three listening profiles. 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 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full complement of airbags. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims could be upgraded with Co-Pilot360 Assist+, adding adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and lane-centering.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the rear-wheel-drive model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.