2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Land Rover Defender carried forward the legacy of its predecessors, which dated back to the original Land Rover Series I from 1948. The Defender's design evolved over the decades, maintaining its distinctive look with round headlamps, a box-shaped cabin, and a flat windshield. The new Defender echoed this classic vibe while incorporating modern elements like half-round LED headlights and a structural-looking grille. The interior featured exposed structure themes, with a dash held between horizontal beams and beefy controls, blending ruggedness with luxury.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, while sharing its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition, distinguished itself with a unique design and luxurious feel. The Navigator's exterior featured simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and 22-inch wheels. Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, and a floating center console. The materials were high-quality, and the Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, making the Navigator's interior one of the most comfortable and refined in its class.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On-road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter in 5.8 seconds. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a powerful twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, made the Navigator feel sprightly despite its size. The Navigator's 4WD system was smooth and responsive, and it had a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, its fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the superior control and precision of some competitors.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender rode on a unibody platform shared with the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Discovery, making extensive use of aluminum for weight reduction and strength. Its independent multi-link air suspension enhanced both on-road and off-road performance. The Defender offered flexible seating options, including a jump seat between the front seats and a third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space was generous, with 34-34.6 cubic feet behind the second row in the 110 and 15.6 cubic feet in the 90. The 110 model had a maximum cargo capacity of 78.8 cubic feet.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a spacious interior, capable of accommodating six adults comfortably. It offered a seven-passenger configuration, with an optional bench seat for a total of eight passengers. Cargo space was ample, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more storage, with 34, 73, and 120 cubic feet, respectively. The Navigator's front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked some advanced features found in competitors.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender featured Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. Its infotainment system, Pivi Pro, included a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with multiple camera views for off-roading. The audio system could be upgraded to a Meridian sound system with up to 700 watts of amplification. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's technology felt slightly outdated compared to some competitors. Its 10-inch touchscreen, while functional, lacked the advanced features of newer systems. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app, but it couldn't wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connection options. The Navigator's software was intuitive, but it lacked the advanced capabilities of some rivals.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features. These included a perimeter alarm, front airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, ensuring its robustness in various conditions.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance. IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator offered standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.