2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its blunt and bulbous nose, which gave it an aggressive appearance. Over time, however, this design became more familiar and less striking. The SUV's styling included black windshield pillars that created a floating roof effect, and swollen haunches that attempted to balance the overall look. Despite the presence of 20-inch alloy wheels, the exaggerated quarter panels seemed to overwhelm the design. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid offered a two-tone interior with soft leather for the Limited and Platinum trims, but the dashboard's asymmetrical design and glossy black detailing could suffer from reflections. The controls were logically arranged, though the mix of illumination colours at night gave the gauges a busy appearance.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end received a restyled grille reminiscent of an Audi, which some felt diminished its elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's interior continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The introduction of Lincoln's Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme added a touch of sophistication. The Navigator also featured a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen display, enhancing its technological appeal. The SUV's adaptive-damping suspension, equipped with Road Preview, improved ride comfort by preparing for road imperfections in advance.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, resulting in improved fuel efficiency. It achieved a combined rating of 6.7 L/100 km, with a total output of 243 horsepower. While this represented progress in terms of efficiency, the driving experience was less engaging. The hybrid system used an "E-CVT" to mimic an automatic transmission, but the engine sounded strained during acceleration or hill climbs. The steering felt lifeless, and the SUV's handling was compromised by its weight, leading to unwanted body movement. However, the regenerative brakes operated smoothly, and the Highlander Hybrid excelled in providing a quiet and comfortable ride on flat terrain.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering a robust 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain allowed for impressive towing capacity, ranging from 3,674 to 3,765 kilograms, depending on configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, equipped with Road Preview, enhanced ride comfort by anticipating road imperfections. The SUV's electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response. During testing, the Navigator handled various road conditions with ease, including snow and mud, thanks to its four-wheel drive and ample ground clearance. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 L/100 km in combined driving, with the test vehicle achieving 12.6 L/100 km.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered comfortable accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with power-adjustable seats and leather upholstery. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight, but the narrow interior made it challenging for three adults to sit comfortably. The third-row seat lacked comfort and support, with limited legroom and headroom. Cargo space was generous, with 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,387 litres with the seats folded. However, storage options were less accommodating than the previous generation, and the placement of the wireless smartphone charger hindered access to the storage area.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to provide exceptional comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats, offering heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The second-row captain's chairs were equally comfortable, featuring heating, ventilation, and massaging capabilities. The third-row seat remained spacious and supportive, benefiting from the Navigator's independent rear suspension design. Cargo space was abundant, with 546 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,925 litres with the seats folded. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more cargo capacity, making it ideal for larger families and their belongings.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with a range of standard features, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons for easy access. However, the JBL sound system's performance varied depending on music genres. The Highlander also offered Driver Easy Speak technology and a video rearview mirror for improved visibility.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received a significant upgrade with the introduction of the Sync 4 infotainment system and a 13.2-inch touchscreen display. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, and allowed users to customize settings through user profiles. The voice recognition system showed improvement, though it occasionally struggled with specific commands. The Navigator's rear-seat entertainment system, enhanced with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to popular streaming services. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered an exceptional listening experience.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure with steering assist. The system added intersection support and emergency steering assistance for 2021. While effective, the adaptive cruise control occasionally applied inconsistent braking, and the lane-centring assistance system felt overly sensitive. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced several new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system became standard. Active Park Assist 2.0 allowed the Navigator to handle parking tasks autonomously, while ActiveGlide offered semi-autonomous, hands-free driving on approved highways. The system performed well within its operational limits, but drivers needed to remain attentive. ActiveGlide represented a step toward fully autonomous driving, though it required human oversight.