2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, despite its age, retained a rugged charm that appealed to those seeking a durable and utilitarian SUV. Its design, largely unchanged over the years, featured a two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches, offering balanced proportions and timeless styling. While not conventionally attractive, the 4Runner's design was functional, with a focus on utility rather than aesthetics. The interior, characterized by hard plastics and an old-school dashboard with large knobs and buttons, emphasized simplicity and durability, making it easy to clean and maintain.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and a restyled front end. While the new grille design was reminiscent of an Audi, it did not enhance the Navigator's elegance. However, the interior continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a touch of sophistication, while the new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display brought the Navigator up to date with its competitors. The Navigator's interior was a blend of luxury and technology, offering a comfortable and modern driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It excelled off-road, thanks to features like A-Trac, a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt slow and clunky, with heavy steering and brakes. Its truck-like driving characteristics were part of its charm, but fuel consumption was high, averaging 14.0 L/100 km during testing.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivered 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview provided a smooth ride, even on imperfect pavement. With a towing capacity of up to 3,765 kilograms, the Navigator was a capable performer. Fuel consumption was reasonable for its size, averaging 12.6 L/100 km during testing.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner offered a comfortable interior with supportive front and rear seats, ample legroom, and good visibility. The cargo space was generous, with up to 2,540 litres available with the rear seats folded down. However, the high ground clearance could pose a challenge for shorter passengers without running boards.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in comfort, with 30-way power-adjustable front seats and available massaging, heated, and ventilated rear captain's chairs. The third-row seat was spacious and comfortable, thanks to the independent rear suspension. Cargo space was abundant, with up to 2,925 litres available with the second-row seats collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more room for passengers and cargo.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's technology was basic, with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. While the system was functional, it lacked the sophistication of more modern setups. The Trail grade did not offer advanced features, but the infotainment system was easy to use, even with gloves.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering a modern and user-friendly experience. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with voice recognition and over-the-air update capabilities. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision from the IIHS.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous driving technology. A surround-view camera system was also standard. ActiveGlide allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways, but drivers needed to remain attentive. The Navigator's safety features represented a step towards fully autonomous driving, but human oversight was still necessary.