2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, setting itself apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers incorporated unique front and rear styling elements, including the Lincoln Embrace lighting system, which sequentially illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille insert, an illuminated Lincoln star, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its distinct appearance. Inside, the Navigator offered a leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a dashboard with mid-century modern styling cues, and a panoramic glass roof, creating a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander was designed to stand out among midsize SUVs with its bold styling. It featured wide headlights, a long hood, and a trapezoidal grille, while the side profile boasted a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car. The rear taillights, inspired by Lexus models, added to its upscale appearance. Inside, the Highlander Limited trim offered near-flawless fit and finish, with tan leather seats and dark brown trim. The interior was designed for comfort and convenience, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the Ford Expedition's most powerful version. A 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive were standard, with multiple Lincoln Drive Modes to tailor the powertrain to various driving conditions. The Navigator's towing capacity reached 3,764 kilograms, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Despite its size, the Navigator offered strong acceleration and excellent body motion control, though fuel efficiency was a concern, averaging 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. While not designed for high performance, the Highlander provided smooth and predictable operation, making it suitable for family use. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, enhancing driving excitement without compromising comfort. The Highlander compared well with competitors in terms of power, though it wasn't as powerful as the Ford Explorer ST.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator offered ample interior space, with the need to climb into the SUV akin to ascending stairs. The optional 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, and the third row provided exceptional legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with the standard model offering up to 2,928 litres and the longer Navigator L providing up to 3,407 litres.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander prioritized comfort and convenience, featuring shelves ahead of the front seats for storage and a wireless charging pad in the centre console. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that moved to optimize space. The third row accommodated adults with some compromise. Cargo space was adequate, with 453 litres behind the third row, 1,150 litres with the third row folded, and 2,245 litres with both rows down. The Highlander excelled in practicality, though it couldn't match the cargo capacity of minivans.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, with slow loading times. However, it offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience, and additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch screen available on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard. The JBL audio system, available from the Limited grade, offered good sound quality. Navigation was available from the Limited grade, though it struggled with points of interest. The 12.3-inch screen was visually appealing but limited in functionality for certain apps.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated with refinement, and the lane-keeping assistance system was effective. The SUV received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not tested it.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. The suite also included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring. The Highlander received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.