2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, setting itself apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers gave it unique front and rear styling, along with the Lincoln Embrace lighting system that welcomed owners with sequential illumination. The Navigator featured a distinctive lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, fender vents, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its upscale appearance. The Monochromatic Package added a custom touch with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels, available on the Reserve trim. Inside, the Navigator boasted a Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and high-quality materials, creating a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica received a mid-generation refresh that gave it a more muscular aesthetic with new LED headlights and a hexagonal grille. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp with the Chrysler wing badge. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package with darkened features. Inside, the Pacifica balanced practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim, which included quilted leather seats, suede pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard housed a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the interior was designed for comfort and sophistication, making it a premium choice among minivans.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Ford Expedition's most powerful version. A 10-speed automatic transmission sent power to the rear wheels, with an option for four-wheel drive. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite, tailoring 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, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, though fuel economy was a concern, averaging 16.4 mpg. Despite its size, the Navigator's body motion control was excellent, providing a hint of athleticism on open roads.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, and a hybrid version with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The Pacifica introduced all-wheel drive (AWD) for the first time in 16 years, automatically activating when needed. The hybrid model had an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, with AWD slightly reducing these figures.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered ample space for passengers to stretch out. The test vehicle featured 30-way Perfect Position front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and a heated steering wheel. The second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs, with a large center console available. The third row provided exceptional legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with the standard model offering 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 103.3 cubic feet in total. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements significantly.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and a sense of togetherness. The front seats had a padded center console lid, and there was ample storage space, including an under-stack area. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seats. The second and third rows provided plenty of legroom, and the Pacifica's cargo area was spacious, with best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters in the Pinnacle trim.

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, and Lincoln Connect services. The system included "Phone As A Key" technology, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience. 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 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was modern, responsive, and customizable. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it lacked a head-up display. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. The Pacifica offered a six-speaker sound system, with upgrades to a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard on the Reserve trim. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its rollover resistance rating was three stars with rear-wheel drive. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered 97 standard safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not yet rated the model.