2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 presented a bold and aggressive exterior design, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Its chunky build and sharp edges gave it a futuristic and robust appearance, with taillights reminiscent of Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus. The side-profile styling and rear design were consistent with this theme, although the character line breaking up the rear C-pillar was not universally appealing. The RAV4 offered a variety of colour options, including two-tone schemes that added a contrasting roof, which worked well with the design, unlike the monotone options that seemed cluttered.

Inside, the RAV4's cabin was surprisingly simple and elegant, contrasting with its busy exterior. The floating touchscreen housed many features, while the rest of the controls were neatly packaged into a central "pod" extending from the dash to the cupholders. The Canadian trims included LE, XLE, Trail, and Limited, with varying drivetrain options and features. The XLE trim, recommended by CarGurus, added several enhancements like alloy wheels, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and a power moonroof, making it a well-rounded choice for buyers.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that differentiated it from the Ford Expedition, on which it was based. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system welcomed owners with sequential illumination, while the lattice-type grille and illuminated star logo added to its distinctiveness. The Navigator's design included Lincoln-specific elements like fender vents and full-width taillights, with black roof pillars creating a wraparound glass appearance.

In Canada, the Navigator was available in the Reserve trim, with standard four-wheel drive and a choice between standard and long-wheelbase body styles. The interior, equipped with the Luxury Package, featured 30-way Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The dashboard boasted mid-century modern styling, digital instrumentation, and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen. The panoramic glass roof and high-quality materials enhanced the luxurious feel, making the Navigator a convincing flagship SUV.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with power directed to either the front wheels or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The AWD system came in two variants: a base offering for lower trims and a more advanced torque-vectoring AWD for the Trail and Limited trims. The XLE test model had the base AWD setup, providing various drive modes for different terrains. The engine performed well on highways but lacked low-end power, making it feel sluggish in stop-and-go traffic. The ride quality was generally good, though the steering felt twitchy, and there was noticeable body roll.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, and Slippery, tailoring the powertrain to different driving conditions. With a maximum towing capacity of 3,764 kilograms, the Navigator excelled in towing capabilities, aided by the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system. The engine provided strong acceleration, though it lacked the V8 rumble. Fuel efficiency was a concern, with an average consumption of 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension offered excellent body motion control, though impact harshness was noticeable on imperfect roads.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4's cabin was designed for practicality and comfort, with a clean and upscale look. It offered ample cargo space, with 1,064 litres behind the rear seats and 1,976 litres with the seats folded. The centre stack pod housed climate controls, a large tray, drive-mode controls, and a shifter. The RAV4 provided plenty of storage options, including a deep centre console bin and a tray in the passenger dash. The rear armrest featured cupholders, adding to the vehicle's functionality.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it offered exceptional comfort and space. The Luxury Package included 30-way Perfect Position front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and a heated steering wheel. The second row could be configured with a bench or captain's chairs, with the latter offering a centre console with audio controls. The third-row seat provided ample legroom and thigh support, unmatched by competitors. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with the standard model offering 592 litres behind the third row and up to 2,928 litres with seats folded. The longer Navigator L increased these measurements significantly.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 LE came with a 7-inch touchscreen running Entune 3.0, offering Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The XLE trim added multiple USB ports, while the Trail and Limited trims featured larger infotainment screens and optional JBL audio. The system's layout was user-friendly, with hard dials for major functions and real dials for volume and tuning.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was less impressive, with slow loading times. However, it offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The voice recognition system worked reasonably well, though not as naturally as some competitors. The Reserve's Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, providing a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 came with standard safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a backup camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 added forward-collision warning, emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated with refinement, and the lane-keeping assistance system was subtle yet effective. The SUV received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.