2021 Toyota Venza vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Toyota Venza was a sleek and sophisticated SUV that drew comparisons to Lexus models, thanks to its elegant design and elongated profile. Critics noted its resemblance to the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept, which was showcased at the 2018 North American International Auto Show. The Venza was available in three trim levels—LE, XLE, and Limited—and offered a choice of seven paint colours. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, a wireless charging pad, and an 8-inch infotainment touch screen. The Venza Limited trim added luxurious touches like a digital rearview mirror and a Star Gaze panoramic roof.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator exuded elegance and understatement, despite its imposing size. It shared some design elements with the Ford Expedition but stood out with its unique styling. The Navigator's Pristine White exterior, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo made it a standout during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven colour palettes and high-quality materials. The Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, providing exceptional comfort. The Navigator's interior was spacious, accommodating up to eight passengers, and offered ample cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack. This combination delivered a total of 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. While not the most powerful in its class, the Venza offered smooth acceleration and confident handling. Its fuel efficiency was a standout feature, achieving an impressive 5.9 L/100 km in the city and 6.4 L/100 km on the highway. Toyota backed its hybrid powertrain with a 10-year/240,000-kilometre warranty, providing peace of mind to buyers.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, boasted a powerful twin-turbo V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, provided the Navigator with impressive acceleration and a thrilling driving experience. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD, the Navigator offered excellent towing capacity of 3,765 kilograms. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with a combined rating of 13.8 L/100 km. Despite some shortcomings in ride comfort and handling compared to competitors, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement and power.

The 2021 Toyota Venza offered a practical and well-appointed interior, with premium materials and a unique design. The centre stack featured capacitive buttons for climate and infotainment controls, while the deep centre console housed various convenience features. The Venza provided comfortable seating for five adults, with ample headroom and shoulder room. However, its cargo space was limited compared to competitors, offering 816 litres with the rear seats folded. Despite this, the Venza's cargo space was sufficient for daily driving needs.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, provided a spacious and luxurious interior. It could accommodate up to eight passengers, with power-folding third-row seats and optional captain's chairs in the second row. The Navigator's boxy shape contributed to its generous cargo space, with 546 litres behind the third row and up to 2,925 litres in total. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, offering numerous adjustments and massage functions. While parking the Navigator could be challenging due to its size, its large windows and high driving position provided excellent visibility.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured an 8-inch infotainment system in the base LE trim, while the XLE and Limited trims offered a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Entune infotainment system, though not the best in the industry, provided essential features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Venza also came with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system in higher trims. Toyota's connected services, including Safety Connect and Remote Connect, added convenience and peace of mind for owners.

In contrast, 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 and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided good sound quality, but not exceptional. Despite these limitations, the Navigator's software was intuitive, and voice recognition was fast and accurate. The rear entertainment system included Roku media streaming, adding entertainment options for passengers.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. This included a pre-collision warning system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Venza received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a reliable choice for safety-conscious buyers.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator also offered a range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control was optional, and the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS had not rated it at the time.