2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Toyota 4Runner

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was a testament to utilitarian design, with its tall slab sides, high beltline, and short overhangs. Its near-vertical front fascia and flared wheel wells were crafted to accommodate off-road tires, while the short overhangs allowed it to tackle steep pitches and sharp declines. Despite its rugged appearance, the 4Runner's hood scoop was one of its few non-functional elements. The vehicle's lineup in Canada was based on the SR5 trim, with packages like TRD Off-Road, Venture, TRD Pro, Limited, and the Nightshade special edition. Our test model, the Limited package, aimed at comfort rather than capability, featured leather upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen. However, the 4Runner's utilitarian DNA was evident, with plenty of plastic and a seating position designed for trails rather than highways.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator exuded elegance and understatement, a feat for a three-ton truck. Its styling was defined by simple rectilinear shapes, with a body-colour grille, windows, and headlights featuring double sweeping LED running lights. The Pristine White example we tested, with its white-painted grille and black wheels, was a standout. Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven colour palettes and a taste for finer details, such as the layered wood trim and floating centre console. The Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, making the Navigator's interior feel luxurious and spacious. While the Navigator's materials and panel gaps were top-notch, it was the overall refinement and power that truly set it apart.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4-litre V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed for a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds). However, the engine was not designed for efficiency, with fuel consumption estimated at 14.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 12.5 on the highway, and 13.8 combined. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with its body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like Toyota's crawl control and Multi-Terrain Select. On-road, the 4Runner exhibited significant body roll and vague steering, making it feel like a blast from the past.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was equipped with a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, the Navigator felt sprightly and powerful. Its towing capacity was an impressive 3,765 kilograms (8,300 pounds). Fuel efficiency was estimated at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined. While the Navigator's adaptive dampers were standard, its suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors. Despite this, the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and a relatively tidy turning radius of 5.6 metres. Inside, the dashboard featured large, chunky knobs for HVAC and stereo controls, with an 8-inch touchscreen. The 4Runner's tall front seat position provided a commanding view, but climbing in and out could be tiring without power-retractable running boards. The optional third row of seats was best for short and occasional use, lacking legroom and comfort.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted ample interior space, with seating for up to eight passengers. Its boxy shape contributed to generous cargo space, with 546 litres behind the third row, 1,627 behind the second, and 2,925 in total. The Navigator Reserve featured heated rear second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility. However, parking was challenging due to its size, despite the 360-degree cameras.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While the system was intuitive, the onboard navigation was less efficient than smartphone apps. The 4Runner also offered Bluetooth connectivity, a single USB port, and subscription services like Sirius XM satellite radio. Despite these updates, the 4Runner lagged behind competitors in terms of technology.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system felt outdated compared to competitors. While it offered Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio, it lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system was good but not exceptional. However, the Navigator featured wireless device charging, a rear entertainment system with Roku media streaming, and beautiful animations for drive mode changes.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. It also had eight standard airbags. The NHTSA awarded it four out of five stars overall, with three stars in the rollover test. The IIHS gave it a Good rating in most crash tests, except for a Marginal score in the small overlap front: driver-side test.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance. It featured automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams as standard. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as competitors.