2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design, with its blunt and bulbous nose giving it an aggressive appearance. Over time, however, this look became more familiar and less striking. The SUV's styling included black windshield pillars that created a floating roof effect, and swollen haunches that attempted to balance the design. Despite the availability of 20-inch wheels on higher trims, the overall design felt overwhelmed by cartoonishly-flared quarter panels. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid offered a two-tone interior with soft leather in Limited and Platinum trims. The dashboard featured an asymmetrical design dominated by a 12.3-inch touchscreen, though reflections were an issue on sunny days. The mix of illumination colors in the gauges added to a busy appearance at night.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator underwent subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end received a restyle, featuring an Audi-esque grille that some felt lacked the previous model's elegance. Despite this, the Navigator's updates were largely successful. Inside, it continued to impress with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern design. The new Constellation display theme added a celestial touch to the instrumentation and infotainment screens. The Navigator also introduced a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen with the Sync 4 system, enhancing its technological appeal. The interior remained luxurious, with features like heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, ensuring comfort for all passengers.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving. This change resulted in a total output of 243 horsepower, with front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive optional. While the improved fuel efficiency was notable, the driving experience suffered. The Highlander Hybrid's power was adequate but not exciting, with the engine sounding strained during acceleration. The steering felt lifeless, and the ride was characterized by unwanted body movement. However, the regenerative brakes performed well, and the SUV offered a quiet and comfortable ride on smooth roads.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator retained its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering a robust 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain allowed for impressive towing capabilities, ranging from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. The Navigator's adaptive-damping suspension, equipped with Road Preview, provided a smooth ride by anticipating road imperfections. The new electronic brake booster improved brake response, addressing previous concerns. During testing, the Navigator handled various terrains with ease, including snow and mud, thanks to its four-wheel drive and 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The SUV achieved an average of 18.6 mpg in combined driving, slightly exceeding EPA expectations.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating for the driver and front passenger, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight but felt narrow for three adults. The third-row seat was less comfortable, with limited legroom and headroom. Storage space was adequate, though not as generous as previous models. Cargo capacity ranged from 16 cubic feet behind the third row to a maximum of 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator excelled in comfort, featuring 30-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain’s chairs also offered heating, ventilation, and massage, enhancing passenger comfort. The third-row seat provided ample space, benefiting from the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator boasted generous storage and cargo space, with up to 103.3 cubic feet available. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more capacity, making it ideal for larger families.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with a comprehensive infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with an 11-speaker JBL audio system. While the system was user-friendly, the sound quality varied depending on music type. Additional features included Driver Easy Speak and a video rearview mirror for improved visibility.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering a modern and intuitive interface. The system supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with user profiles to save settings. The voice recognition system showed improvement, though it occasionally struggled with specific commands. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system, enhanced with Amazon Fire TV, provided access to popular streaming services. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included advanced driver-assist technologies. While effective, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance had some inconsistencies. The Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was expected to achieve a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new safety features, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, and Active Park Assist 2.0. ActiveGlide, a semi-autonomous driving technology, allowed for hands-free driving on approved highways. While effective, it required driver attention. The Navigator's safety systems represented progress toward fully autonomous driving, though driver vigilance remained essential.