2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, last redesigned in 2018 and updated in 2022, continued to impress with its imposing presence and luxurious features. It maintained its position as Lincoln’s largest SUV, offering a single trim level in Canada, the Navigator Reserve, with standard four-wheel drive. Our test model, a triple-black Navigator Reserve, featured the Monochromatic Package, adding black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim. Despite its sleek appearance, keeping the Infinite Black exterior clean proved challenging. Inside, the all-black cabin, accented with real wood and chrome, exuded luxury, though some chrome plastic elements fell short of expectations.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser embraced its iconic heritage with a boxy design and distinctive features reminiscent of past models. Available in two trims and packages in Canada, it showcased a heritage grille and LED lighting, blending classic inspiration with modern standards. The First Edition trim added off-road gear like a roof rack and skid plate. Inside, the Land Cruiser offered a comfortable cabin with SofTex or leather seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The emphasis on comfort was evident, with cushy seats and padded consoles enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD, it offered five drive modes, including Conserve and Excite. Despite its adaptive damping suspension, the Navigator’s ride was inconsistent, struggling over bumps and dips. Excite mode improved handling but impacted fuel efficiency, with the SUV averaging 15.0 L/100 km during testing. The Navigator’s size posed challenges in urban settings, with its weight affecting braking performance.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery, and a 48-hp electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD. The Multi-Terrain Select system operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo, enhancing off-road capability. The Land Cruiser’s off-road prowess was evident, with features like a disconnecting stabilizer bar and CRAWL control, allowing it to tackle challenging terrains with ease.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across three rows and a generous cargo area. Power-deploying running boards and 30-way adjustable front seats with massage functions added to its luxury appeal. While the seats were comfortable, their numerous adjustments could be overwhelming. The Navigator L model provided even more cargo space, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, with its two-row seating, offered ample headroom and legroom. The centre console housed controls for off-road features, while the cargo area, equipped with a rubber mat, provided 1,063 litres of space. A 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports added convenience. The Premium Package included a centre console cool box, enhancing practicality.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The digital assistant excelled in voice recognition, while the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System delivered impressive sound. However, the wireless charger overheated devices, and the rear-seat Lincoln Play system went unused by passengers.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser’s Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard above the base trim, proved invaluable off-road. The 12.3-inch touchscreen offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for connectivity. Higher trims featured a 14-speaker JBL sound system, head-up display, and digital rear-view mirror, enhancing the infotainment experience.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with the Co-Pilot360 suite, including automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system, struggled with certain conditions, requiring driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, though unrated by IIHS and NHTSA, inspired confidence with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. This suite included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added lane-change assist and traffic jam assist, enhancing safety features.