2020 Nissan Murano vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that differentiated it from the Ford Expedition, its platform mate. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system, lattice-type grille insert, and illuminated star logo added to its premium appeal. The Navigator also offered a new Reserve Monochromatic Package with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels, available in White, Ceramic Pearl, and Infinite Black. Inside, the test vehicle boasted Dark Slate leather with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a mid-century modern dashboard, and a panoramic glass roof, creating a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Murano retained the face of the last generation of Nissan products, with updates in 2019 that included a refreshed grille, redesigned LED headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. Despite these updates, the Murano's design was not particularly modern. The Murano was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with midrange and higher trims receiving more standard features. The interior, especially in the Platinum grade, featured premium materials but had dated housings, particularly in the center stack and console. The Murano's design was more about comfort and usability than cutting-edge style.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided strong acceleration and a subtle yet aggressive engine note. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds for RWD and 8,300 pounds for 4WD. The SUV averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. Despite its size, the Navigator's adaptive damping suspension and body motion control lent it a hint of athleticism, though it was best suited for open roads and smooth pavement.

The 2020 Nissan Murano came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. While not the quickest off the line, the Murano performed well on the highway. The CVT contributed to a quieter cabin, aligning with Nissan's goal of "library level" sound. The Murano achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Available in FWD and AWD, the Murano handled well but exhibited body lean. Its four-wheel independent suspension helped absorb bumps, providing a comfortable ride. The Murano's towing capacity was rated at 1,500 pounds, making it less capable in this regard compared to the Navigator.

Entering the 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, but once inside, passengers enjoyed ample space and comfort. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and heated steering wheel ensured a customizable driving experience. The second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs, with the latter option including a large center console. The third-row seats provided exceptional legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was 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. The longer Navigator L offered even more space.

The 2020 Nissan Murano featured Zero Gravity seats, providing exceptional comfort for long drives. The Murano offered more headroom than the Lexus RX but less front legroom. It excelled in shoulder room, particularly in the second row. The Murano had 32.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row upright and 67.0 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. While it had less cargo space than the Rogue, the Murano's low cargo floor and easy-to-fold rear seats made it practical for daily use. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control and keyless entry, with available options like leather seating, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic moonroof.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, taking time to load content. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The voice recognition system worked reasonably well but was not as advanced as some competitors. The test vehicle included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, a surround-view camera system, and a head-up display. The optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system was not included in the test vehicle.

The 2020 Nissan Murano lagged behind competitors in tech but offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, four USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a six-speaker audio system. The updated touchscreen was user-friendly and attractive. Rear passengers had access to two USB ports for charging. Upgrades included an 11-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, and navigation. Murano Platinum buyers received NissanConnect Services, offering features like automatic collision notification, emergency call, and remote functionalities. An Amazon Alexa skill was also available.

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

The 2020 Nissan Murano included Safety Shield 360 as standard on SV, SL, and Platinum trims, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Murano lacked advanced driver-assist technology like Nissan's ProPilot Assist. The IIHS awarded the Murano "good" ratings in most categories and a "superior" mark for front crash prevention. The NHTSA gave the Murano five-star ratings overall, except for a four-star rollover rating.