2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a model that had been around since 2000, continued its second generation into its 14th year without substantial changes. Its exterior design maintained a classic appeal with a modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, standing out in a market where SUVs were growing more aggressive in style. The Sequoia's dimensions were impressive, with a height of 1,956 mm, a width of 2,030 mm, and a length of 5,210 mm, riding on a 3,099 mm wheelbase. Despite its mature design, the interior felt dated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen that seemed out of place in a modern SUV. However, the Sequoia's interior was built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity, making it a reliable choice for families.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, although not significantly updated since its 2018 redesign, offered a more modern and luxurious experience. The Navigator Reserve model featured a triple-black exterior with a Monochromatic Package, adding black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim. Inside, the Navigator boasted a sophisticated cabin with ambient lighting and quality materials, though some chrome plastic elements fell short of conveying true luxury. The Navigator's interior was spacious and comfortable, with Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats offering heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Despite its size, the Navigator felt surprisingly manageable on mountain roads, thanks to its excellent outward visibility and impressive grip from its large wheels and wide tires.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential, and a two-speed transfer case in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a maximum towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. However, its weight of nearly 2,721.5 kilograms resulted in less-than-ideal fuel consumption ratings of 18.5 L/100 km in the city, 13.9 on the highway, and 16.4 combined. Despite its heft, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its robust body-on-frame construction and four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 13.2 L/100 km in combined driving, though it averaged 15.0 L/100 km during testing. The Navigator offered five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an optional Hill Climb mode. While the Navigator's ride quality was initially disappointing, switching to Excite mode improved the suspension's performance, though at the cost of fuel efficiency. The Navigator's size proved challenging in urban environments, but its excellent visibility and impressive grip made it a capable performer on mountain roads.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering roomy seating across all three rows with ample headroom and legroom. It featured three-zone climate control, a standard one-touch tilt/slide power moonroof, and heated front seats on all trim levels. The Sequoia's cargo space was generous, with 535 litres of luggage capacity behind the third-row seats, expanding to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and a massive 3,401 litres with both the second and third rows folded flat.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, providing spacious seating in all three rows and an available extended body style for even more cargo capacity. The Navigator's power-deploying running boards facilitated easy entry and exit, while the 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats ensured comfort for long journeys. The Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo space, with 971 litres behind the third-row seat, 2,075 litres behind the second row, and 3,403 litres behind the front seats. Storage space was abundant throughout the cabin, with various trays and compartments for passengers' convenience.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's technology was somewhat outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. However, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Sequoia Platinum and TRD Pro models added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system. While the Sequoia lacked modern powertrain advancements, it featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety technologies like a rear backup camera and front and rear parking sonar.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, in contrast, boasted a more advanced technology suite. It featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an available widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 infotainment system included Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Alexa Built-in. The Navigator's digital assistant excelled in voice recognition, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided an immersive audio experience. The Lincoln Way smartphone app and Phone As A Key technology allowed owners to unlock, start, and drive the Navigator using a digital key.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a full complement of airbags. However, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had released crash-test ratings for the Sequoia.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came with the Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. It also offered Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. While BlueCruise had its limitations, the Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.