2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a continuation of its second generation, showcased a mature design that had remained largely unchanged since its last major overhaul in 2008. Despite its age, the Sequoia maintained a classic exterior with a modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, giving it a substantial presence. Its dimensions were impressive, standing 77 inches tall, 79.9 inches wide, and 205.1 inches long, with a 122-inch wheelbase. The interior, however, felt dated compared to modern SUVs, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen that seemed out of place in an era of larger digital displays. Nevertheless, the Sequoia's interior was built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity, making it a reliable choice for families.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, although not significantly updated since its 2018 redesign, offered a more contemporary and luxurious experience. The Navigator Reserve model featured a triple-black exterior with a Monochromatic Package, adding black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. Inside, the Navigator boasted a sophisticated cabin with real wood trim and chrome accents, complemented by ambient lighting. The Navigator's interior was upscale, with quality materials, though some chrome plastic switchgear detracted from the overall luxury feel. Despite its size, the Navigator provided excellent outward visibility and impressive grip, though its nearly three-ton weight challenged the brakes on mountain roads.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offering a reliable and durable powertrain. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. However, its weight, ranging from 5,730 to 6,000 pounds, resulted in less-than-stellar fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway/15 mpg combined for RWD models. Despite its heft, the Sequoia provided a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its robust body-on-frame construction and four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain, the Navigator offered a more powerful and efficient performance, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg combined. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension, with Road Preview technology, aimed to provide a comfortable ride, though the Reserve trim's 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires resulted in a less agreeable experience over smaller bumps. The Excite driving mode improved handling on winding roads but negatively impacted fuel efficiency. Despite its size, the Navigator felt smaller on mountain roads, with excellent visibility and grip, though its weight challenged the brakes during descents.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering roomy seating across all three rows. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and available heated and ventilated front seats. The Sequoia provided ample storage, with a spacious center console, glove compartment, and door pockets. Its cargo area offered 18.9 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expandable to 66.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 120.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with spacious seating in all three rows and an available extended body style for increased cargo capacity. Power-deploying running boards facilitated entry and exit, while the 30-way Perfect Position front seats offered heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The Navigator's storage solutions included a large tray under the center console and smaller compartments for third-row passengers. The extended-length Navigator L model provided significantly more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen. However, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, WiFi connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Sequoia Limited added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, while a premium audio package included 14 JBL speakers. Despite its technological shortcomings, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator boasted a more advanced technology suite, with a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an available widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Alexa Built-in. The Navigator's digital assistant excelled in voice recognition, while the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided exceptional sound quality. The Lincoln Way smartphone app and Phone As A Key technology allowed for digital key access, though the wireless smartphone charger caused overheating issues.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also featured a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a full complement of airbags.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with a robust array of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) through the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages. Notable features included Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. However, BlueCruise struggled with certain driving conditions and required driver intervention. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.