2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo featured a distinctive design with shiny black 18-inch wheels, a black grille, black side mirror housings, and matte black body cladding. This gave the vehicle a unique, almost floating appearance, as if it were cresting a hill at speed. The CX-30 stood out from its Mazda3 hatchback roots, offering a higher ground clearance and a more SUV-like stance. Inside, the cabin mirrored the Mazda3 with quality materials, complementary tones, and stitched chocolate brown surfaces, providing an upscale vibe. The Premium Plus trim added chrome accents and a frameless rearview mirror, with options for black or Griege leatherette upholstery, and black or white leather in higher trims. Prices ranged from $31,000 to $35,745, including destination charges.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. It shared some design elements with the Ford Expedition but distinguished itself with unique features like a body-color grille, 22-inch wheels, and a full-width taillight assembly. The Pristine White model with a white-painted grille and black wheels was particularly striking. Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were top-notch, and the Perfect Position seats offered 30-way adjustability, making the Navigator feel luxurious and refined. The Black Label trims added even more textures and softer leather, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo came equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the fuel octane. Torque ranged from 310 to 320 lb-ft, providing effortless acceleration. The six-speed automatic transmission, standard i-Activ AWD, and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology contributed to a smooth driving experience. However, the CX-30's fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 24.1 mpg with a 305-mile driving range. The vehicle's added height and weight made it less agile than the Mazda3, but its 2.5 inches of extra ground clearance and Off-Road mode compensated for this when driving off-road.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered quick acceleration and a smooth driving experience. The 4WD system was seamless, and the towing capacity was impressive at 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, the Navigator's fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, and the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors. Despite these drawbacks, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful vehicle on the highway.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo offered exceptional comfort for the driver with eight-way power adjustment and heated front seats. The cabin's organic shapes and minimalism contributed to a sense of spaciousness, though the rear seats were cramped for adults. Storage space was generous, but the location of the wireless smartphone charger in the center console storage bin was inconvenient. The CX-30 provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, with its boxy shape, provided ample space for six adults and their belongings. The third row's middle seat was best suited for children, and the second-row captain's chairs could be replaced with a bench for eight-passenger capacity. 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 front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with large windows and a high driving position enhancing visibility. However, parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via physical controls and voice commands. While the system required acclimation, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium trims included SiriusXM, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Active Driving Display projected useful data onto the windshield, enhancing safety.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to competitors, and the instrument panel lacked advanced features. However, the software was intuitive, and voice recognition was fast and accurate. The Navigator offered 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app. Rear entertainment included Roku streaming and various connections. Drive mode animations added a touch of elegance.

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with a full suite of i-ActiveSense ADAS. Premium trims added adaptive front lighting, parking sensors, rear automatic braking, a surround-view camera, and Traffic Jam Assist. The mobile 9-1-1 system provided additional safety.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for rollover resistance. It offered standard automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator lacked advanced self-steering capabilities.