2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia presented a bold and commanding presence with its redesigned exterior, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring upscale materials like leather, wood, and metallic finishes, especially in the Capstone trim. The interior was dominated by a large 14-inch infotainment system, although some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia offered various trims, including the TRD Off-road and Capstone, with prices starting at $79,335 and reaching $95,335. While the TRD Pro trim was recommended for off-roading, the Sequoia's ground clearance and angles suggested less capability than its predecessor.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end received an Audi-esque grille, which some felt diminished its elegance. Inside, the Navigator dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln's Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen was a significant upgrade, offering ample display space. The Navigator continued to impress with its adaptive-damping suspension and electronic brake booster, enhancing ride comfort and braking response. The SUV's towing capacity and performance compared favourably to its competitors, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain, delivering 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed for a maximum towing capacity of 4,137 kilograms, surpassing the previous model's capabilities. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. Despite its power, the Sequoia's ride quality varied depending on the driving mode, with Sport mode being the preferred choice for mountain driving. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It offered a towing capacity between 3,674 and 3,765 kilograms, depending on the configuration. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, featuring Road Preview, enhanced ride comfort by preparing for road imperfections. The SUV handled various driving conditions with ease, including snow and mud, thanks to its four-wheel drive and ground clearance. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.2 L/100 km, with the Navigator averaging 12.6 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a comfortable cabin with features like soft leather upholstery, a JBL audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. However, the panoramic moonroof reduced second-row headroom, and the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,460 litres with seats folded. The hybrid powertrain's impact on cargo capacity was notable, reducing overall utility compared to previous models.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator provided exceptional comfort with its 30-way power-adjustable front seats and available massaging rear captain's chairs. The third-row seat offered ample space and comfort, thanks to the independent rear suspension. Cargo capacity was generous, with 546 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,925 litres with seats folded. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more space, making it ideal for larger families and cargo needs.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though glare on the display was an issue. The system allowed for user accounts and included an Intelligent Assistant for navigation. However, some connectivity issues were noted during testing. The Capstone trim offered a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering improved functionality and ease of use. The system supported Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with voice recognition capabilities. The upgraded Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to streaming services. The optional 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality, enhancing the overall entertainment experience.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared high ratings with the Tundra.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. The surround-view camera system was standard, enhancing safety during parking and manoeuvring. ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways, though driver attention was still required. The system performed well within its limits, but complete trust in the technology was not yet achieved.