2020 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received updates in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with a hollow "thud" when closing the front doors, indicating a lack of refinement in fit and finish. The instrument panel appeared to be from an earlier era, though its simplicity made it user-friendly. The Sienna offered various trims, including CE, LE, SE, and XLE, each with distinct features. The base CE trim was well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The LE trim added conveniences like sliding dual power side doors and heated front seats, while the SE trim featured a power liftgate and leather upholstery. The XLE Limited trim boasted premium leather seats, a JBL audio system, and a rear-seat entertainment system. For those prioritizing style, the Nightshade Edition added dark accents and wheels.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, sharing a platform with the Ford Expedition but featuring unique styling elements. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system welcomed owners with sequential illumination, while the lattice-type grille and illuminated star logo added elegance. The Navigator Reserve trim, available in standard and long-wheelbase versions, came with four-wheel drive in Canada. Inside, the Luxury Package offered 30-way Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The dashboard featured digital instrumentation and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen. A panoramic glass roof and high-quality materials enhanced the interior's luxurious feel. The Navigator's design and features made it a convincing flagship SUV.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, providing strong acceleration. The Sienna's powertrain was front-wheel drive by default, with all-wheel drive available on most trims, making it the only minivan in its class to offer AWD in 2020. The AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration. Fuel efficiency for the FWD Sienna was 12.6 L/100 km in the city and 9.1 on the highway, while AWD versions returned 13.4 L/100 km city and 9.6 highway. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive were standard. Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the powertrain to various driving conditions, including Conserve, Normal, and Excite. The Navigator's towing capacity reached 3,764 kg, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Acceleration was strong, though the engine lacked the V8 rumble. Fuel efficiency averaged 14.3 L/100 km. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, though impact harshness was noticeable on imperfect roads. Around town, the Navigator felt large, but features like a tight turning radius and parking assist improved manoeuvrability.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 4,247 litres, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those with mobility needs.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required a climb to enter, but once inside, it provided ample room for passengers. The Luxury Package's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the right settings took time. The second row offered a choice between a bench or captain's chairs, with a large centre console available. The third-row seat provided excellent legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with the standard model offering 592 litres behind the third row and up to 2,928 litres in total. The longer Navigator L increased these figures significantly.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a long-awaited addition. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL 10-speaker audio system. The Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system for communicating with rear passengers.

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 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 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), including lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Sienna earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured Lincoln Co-Pilot360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, and the lane-keeping assistance was effective. It received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA.