2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Acura RDX closely resembled its 2019 predecessor, which was a positive aspect. The RDX stood out in its segment with a beamy, imposing grille and rakish headlights, moving away from the "beak" grille of the past decade. One notable feature was the large logo set within the grille, which, despite its size, worked well within the overall design. The upper character line swooped from the windshield to the rear hatch, intersected by another line from the rear side windows, creating a spoiler-like appearance. Inside, the RDX featured sharp, precise styling with eye-catching red leather upholstery, contributing to a strong red-and-black interior aesthetic. Standard features included synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. The RDX offered three packages: Technology, A-Spec, and Advance, each adding various upgrades and features.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, in contrast, shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but distinguished itself with unique design elements. The Navigator Reserve, priced at $92,000, exuded elegance and understatement despite its three-ton weight and 22-inch wheels. Rectilinear shapes defined the grille, windows, headlights, and taillights, with chrome accents adding a touch of class. The Pristine White model with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking during winter tests. The interior impressed with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, a push-button gear selector, and a floating center console. Materials were high-quality, and panel gaps were tight, with Black Label trims offering even more luxurious textures and softer leather. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 ways, added to the Navigator's comfort and refinement.

The 2020 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided solid acceleration, making the RDX quick off the line and capable of overtaking on the highway. The 10-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD), managed power efficiently. The Integrated Dynamics System offered Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus drive modes, adjusting throttle response, shift patterns, steering feel, and power delivery. Fuel economy for the A-Spec model with SH-AWD was EPA-estimated at 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. The RDX excelled in both acceleration and handling, offering a comfortable yet performance-oriented driving experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, made the Navigator feel surprisingly agile for its size. The 4WD system was smooth and efficient, with a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. Fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens, with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined (16 city, 20 highway). The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, though not as refined as the Cadillac Escalade's magnetic shocks and air springs. Despite some shortcomings in steering and brake feel, the Navigator's powerful engine and plush cabin made it a comfortable highway cruiser.

The 2020 Acura RDX offered a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats, ample head- and legroom, and a well-designed second row. The front row featured large water bottle holders and a pass-through cargo tray with a USB port. The second row had a fold-down center console with cup holders and in-door cup holders. Cargo space was generous, with 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The cargo area was easily accessible, with a helpful cubby and a hidden cargo area under the load floor.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator provided ample space for six adults, with a tall boxy design that maximized interior room. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children, while the second row featured manually-reclining captain's chairs or an optional bench for up to eight passengers. Cargo space was substantial, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, adding convenience. The Navigator Reserve included heated rear seats and a three-zone climate system, though it lacked some features offered by German competitors. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility and a high driving position.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a major letdown. The True Touchpad Interface, similar to Lexus's Remote Touch trackpad, was cumbersome and unintuitive. The touchpad's design required constant attention to ensure correct selections, detracting from the user experience. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, a 9-speaker audio system, and satellite radio. The Technology Package added more USB ports, navigation, and the ELS premium audio system. The A-Spec model featured the ELS Studio 3D premium sound system with 16 speakers, while the Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer systems like the Cadillac Escalade's multi-piece, curved LEDs. The Navigator's infotainment system lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. However, the software was intuitive, with a unique Lincoln interface, fast voice recognition, and clear navigation. The Navigator included onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as an ignition key. Rear entertainment options included Roku media streaming and various connections. Drive mode animations added a touch of elegance to the instrument panel.

The 2020 Acura RDX came standard with a comprehensive set of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, LATCH child-seat mounting systems, a tire pressure monitoring system, hill-start assist, and a rear-view camera. Driver-assistance features included lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, road-departure mitigation, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. The Technology Package added front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear-view camera washer nozzle. The 2019 RDX, mechanically identical to the 2020 model, received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator lacked knee airbags but offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, though the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.