2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had a complete redesign in 2019, moving away from its previous soft-roader styling to a tougher, more angular look. Its front fascia, reminiscent of the Toyota 4Runner, featured stacked, trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille, giving it a mean and mechanical appearance. Dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills suggested that the RAV4 Hybrid was not just a fuel-efficient grocery-getter but also a capable off-road adventure machine. The interior was simple and functional, with tasteful shiny trim. While leather upholstery was unavailable, the base fabric seats were comfortable, and the interior materials were of good quality, though not as luxurious as some competitors.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was a luxurious behemoth that shared its basic structure with the Ford Expedition but felt entirely unique. Its design theme was elegance and understatement, with simple rectilinear shapes defining the grille, windows, and lights. The Monochromatic Package added body-color elements and black wheels, while the illuminated Lincoln logo added a touch of class. Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes and high-quality materials. The Slate Gray interior of the test model featured layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, making the Navigator one of the most comfortable large SUVs on the market.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, delivering a total of 219 horsepower. Its most impressive feature was its combined EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon, which was consistently achievable in real-world driving. The hybrid system provided plenty of instantaneous electric power, making the RAV4 Hybrid quicker to accelerate than the non-hybrid model. The vehicle's regenerative braking was smooth, and the electric motor assist was nearly seamless. The RAV4 Hybrid could tow up to 1,750 pounds and featured standard trailer sway control. Its light steering and soft suspension made it easy to drive, though it was less sporty than some small SUVs.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, producing 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt sprightly despite its size. Its 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, which matched the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the supple ride quality of some competitors. The steering and brakes were looser and less precise than those of the Cadillac Escalade, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured excellent ergonomics, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (an 8-inch screen was optional) positioned prominently atop the center dashboard. The climate controls were simple and well thought out, and the center console had ample storage space. The RAV4 Hybrid's cabin could be quieter, but it was comfortable for long trips. The rear seat offered impressive legroom, and the cargo compartment was spacious, with 37.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity and 98.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, matching the non-hybrid model.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered immense interior space, capable of comfortably seating six adults. 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 a total of eight passengers. The Navigator's boxy shape provided excellent cargo space, 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 rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, a convenient feature for loading and unloading. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with numerous settings for optimal support. However, the second-row seats lacked some of the advanced features found in competitors.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced Android Auto for the first time, joining Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM Radio as standard features. These technologies provided excellent infotainment options, surpassing Toyota's proprietary Entune software. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered WiFi Connect with a 3-month trial, though it lacked USB-C ports. Additional USB-A charging ports were available in higher trims. The vehicle featured Predictive Efficient Drive, which optimized battery usage based on driver inputs and navigation data. Drivers could select different drive modes, including Eco, Sport, and Trail, to suit their preferences.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer competitors, and its infotainment system lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The software was intuitive and shared its interface with Ford vehicles, though it was a bit slow. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app, with remote app functions included for five years. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming and various connection options. Drive mode animations added a touch of elegance to the instrument panel.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign assist. It also included a 1-year trial of Safety Connect. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in the frontal crash test, five in the side crash test, and four in the rollover test. The IIHS had not tested the RAV4 Hybrid, but the standard RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick designation. The RAV4 Hybrid had two safety recalls in 2020.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance (four stars for 4WD models, three stars for RWD models). The IIHS had not rated the Navigator in its current generation. The Navigator offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row, a rare safety feature. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, though the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.