Lincoln Navigator vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, a full-size luxury SUV, continued to impress with its imposing presence and upscale design. Despite the anticipation of an electric version, the current model remained largely unchanged from its 2022 refresh. The Navigator Reserve, the sole trim available in Canada, featured a monochromatic package with black 22-inch wheels and body-colour trim, giving it a sleek, modern look. Inside, the cabin exuded luxury with its all-black interior accented by real wood trim and chrome details. However, some elements, like the chrome plastic switchgear, fell short of conveying the premium feel expected in a vehicle of this calibre.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid presented a more utilitarian design, with minimal changes for the year. The new Cypress Green paint added a fresh touch, but the overall styling was considered overdone, with exaggerated forms and a busy interior. The cabin featured large elements like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and oversized climate controls, which some found visually overwhelming. Despite the Highlander's reputation for reliability, the interior quality was questioned, with controls and materials feeling less premium than expected. However, the Highlander Hybrid was praised for its quiet ride, making it a practical choice for families prioritizing comfort over style.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD, it offered a powerful driving experience. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 15.0 L/100 km during testing. The Navigator featured five drive modes, including an Excite mode that enhanced performance but reduced fuel efficiency. Despite its size, the Navigator handled mountain roads with surprising agility, though its weight challenged the brakes. In urban settings, its large dimensions proved cumbersome, particularly in tight spaces.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing 243 horsepower. While it excelled in fuel efficiency, averaging 8.2 L/100 km, its performance was less thrilling. The Highlander Hybrid struggled with high-speed acceleration and towing, and its brakes faded during mountain driving. It offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with AWD and a Trail mode for light off-road use. The Highlander Hybrid was designed for efficiency and comfort, with a compliant ride and quiet highway performance, but lacked the engaging driving dynamics of the Navigator.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across three rows and a generous cargo area. The test vehicle featured 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, ensuring comfort for long journeys. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, which accommodated adults comfortably. Storage was ample, with various compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator L model offered even more cargo space, making it ideal for families needing extra room for luggage.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, while accommodating up to eight passengers, was best suited for seven due to its standard second-row captain's chairs. The third row was cramped and challenging to access, making it suitable only for occasional use. The interior featured three-zone climate control and heated seats, with the Platinum package adding ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Storage solutions included a dashboard shelf and centre console, though some designs were unnecessarily complex. Cargo space was adequate, with 453 litres behind the third row and up to 2,387 litres with the second row folded.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator offered a suite of digital displays, including a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sync 4 system provided wireless smartphone integration, navigation, and a voice recognition assistant. The test vehicle featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System, delivering exceptional sound quality. Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment was available but underutilized by passengers. The Navigator's technology was user-friendly, though the wireless charger tended to overheat devices.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, with upper trims receiving a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system supported wireless smartphone integration and over-the-air updates. The Drive Connect service plan offered advanced features like a cloud-based navigation system and voice recognition. The test vehicle included a JBL sound system, which provided decent audio quality. While the technology was generally easy to use, some controls were not intuitive, and the graphics could benefit from improved contrast.

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 like Evasive Steering Assist and Intersection Assist enhanced safety, while BlueCruise offered hands-free driving on designated highways. However, BlueCruise struggled with certain driving conditions, requiring driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering a comprehensive suite of ADAS features. These included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The ADAS performed well in most conditions, though it occasionally struggled with lane markings. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, reinforcing its reputation for safety.