2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The SUV's newly creased and kinked body gave it a more commanding appearance than its predecessor. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with leather, wood, and metallic finishes, especially in the upscale Capstone trim. The interior was dominated by a large 14-inch infotainment system, and while it looked luxurious, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $79,335 for the TRD Off-road and reaching $95,335 for the Capstone. The TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, though the Sequoia's ground clearance and approach angles were less capable than the previous model.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator maintained its luxurious appeal without significant updates since its 2018 redesign. The Navigator Reserve, the sole trim available in Canada, featured standard 4WD and a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim. The interior was all black with real wood trim and chrome accents, and ambient lighting added character at night. The Navigator's cabin was upscale, though some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the luxury feel. The test vehicle included a Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, though it went unused by passengers. The Navigator's Canadian MSRP reached $131,614, including destination charges and federal luxury tax.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a hybrid powertrain featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms, and it achieved a fuel economy rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. The SUV offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. However, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. It had a fuel economy rating of 13.2 L/100 km in combined driving but averaged 15.0 L/100 km during testing. The Navigator offered five driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an optional Hill Climb mode. The adaptive damping suspension included Road Preview, but the ride quality was inconsistent. Excite mode improved handling but reduced fuel efficiency. The Navigator's steering was slow, and its size posed challenges in urban environments.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering comfortable front seats with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. However, the panoramic glass 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 325 litres behind the third row and 2,460 litres with all seats folded. The hybrid powertrain's battery pack reduced overall utility compared to the previous model.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator prioritized functionality with roomy seats in all three rows and an available extended body style for increased cargo space. The test vehicle featured 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, though they required frequent adjustments. Storage space was generous, and the Navigator L model offered significantly more cargo capacity. The Navigator's interior was luxurious, with quality leather and ample storage options.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the display suffered from glare. The system allowed for user accounts and included an Intelligent Assistant for voice commands. However, some features, like Bluetooth pairing, had issues during testing. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator offered a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 system included Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a navigation system with voice recognition. The digital assistant performed well, and the Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided excellent sound quality. The Navigator also featured Lincoln Play touchscreens for rear-seat passengers, though they were not used during testing.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Tundra, on which the Sequoia is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with the Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Unique features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. BlueCruise had limitations, struggling with curves and construction zones, and lacked a lane-change assist function. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.