2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling elements from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, notably in its trapezoidal grille and upright fascia, giving it a rugged look that was popular among midsized SUVs. However, the design softened on the sides with a swooping character line over the rear wheel arch, which added unnecessary visual weight and made the vehicle appear somewhat bloated. The rear design echoed the trapezoidal grille, but the overall body felt disjointed compared to more cohesive designs from competitors like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid featured an unconventional yet less jarring interior with an asymmetrical dash and a metallic styling element that created a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned high on the dash for better visibility, but the Bronze Edition's light grey fabric upholstery attracted dirt and stains, raising durability concerns.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs, along with an updated Lincoln Embrace nighttime welcome illumination sequence. The front end received a restyle, featuring an Audi-esque grille with Lincoln's star and chrome detailing, which some felt reduced the vehicle's elegance and presence. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, highlighted by Lincoln's Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display offered ample display acreage, while the Navigator continued to impress with its adaptive-damping suspension and new electronic brake booster, enhancing ride quality and braking response.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive in Canada, utilizing a supplemental electric motor for the rear axle. The Highlander Hybrid could accelerate to 100 km/h in just over eight seconds, slightly slower than gasoline-only SUVs in its class. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as speed increased. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension effectively smoothing over road imperfections, and the cabin remained mostly free of wind and road noise on the highway.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering a robust 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada, the Navigator offered impressive towing capacity, ranging from 3,674 to 3,765 kilograms, depending on configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology identified road imperfections and adjusted damping forces accordingly. The Navigator's electronic brake booster improved pedal feel and response, while its four-wheel drive and ground clearance ensured confident performance in various conditions. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 12.6 L/100 km.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments for drivers of all sizes, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage options were plentiful, with trays, shelves, and large door pockets. The second-row seats provided generous head- and legroom, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs for added versatility. The third-row seat was less accommodating, suitable for occasional use by children or smaller adults. Cargo space behind the third row measured 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seatbacks folded, and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured exceptionally comfortable front seats with 30-way power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and available massaging functions. The second-row captain's chairs offered similar comfort, with the updated Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system enhancing the experience. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations, benefiting from the Navigator's independent rear suspension design. Storage and cargo space were generous, with the Navigator offering 546 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,627 litres with the seat folded, and 2,925 litres with the second row collapsed. The long-wheelbase Navigator L provided even more cargo capacity.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The system was responsive, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons for ease of use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging available on higher trims. Limited and Platinum trims included navigation and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced a new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen display, offering dual data panels for navigation and music details. Physical controls for volume, stereo tuning, and climate functions were easy to use, with matte-finish buttons for glare resistance. Sync 4 supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with user profiles for personalized settings. The voice recognition system was improved, though not perfect. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system featured Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered sensational sound quality.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for frontal collision and rollover protection. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+, with the highest "Good" scores across the board. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist systems required some fine-tuning for smoother operation.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system was also standard. Intersection Assist could automatically brake for unsafe movements, while Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking maneuvers. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed hands-free driving on approved highways, though driver attention was still required. The system performed well within its operational limits, but drivers needed to remain vigilant for unexpected situations.