2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid marked a return to its adventurous roots with a design that echoed Toyota's classic trucks. The front resembled the 4Runner with its big flat slab of trapezoids and flexing surfaces, while the hood had a milder angle compared to previous models. The fenders and wheel wells featured hard creases, and the side glass reclaimed the original RAV4's large greenhouse. The XSE trim, exclusive to the Hybrid, boasted glossy black trim on the roof, A-pillars, mirrors, fender flares, and 18-inch wheels, giving it a sporty and upscale look. Inside, the cabin quality was several grades higher, with padded dash and door trim, blue stitching, and large, easy-to-use knobs and buttons.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious and distinctive design. Sharing a basic platform with the Ford Expedition, the Navigator featured unique front and rear styling elements and the Lincoln Embrace lighting system. The lattice-type grille insert mimicked the Lincoln star logo, and the illuminated star in the center added a touch of elegance. The Reserve Monochromatic Package introduced a custom look with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements, combined with 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator's Dark Slate leather interior, 30-way Perfect Position front seats, and mid-century modern styling cues created a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 1.6-kilowatt battery to produce 219 horsepower. This setup provided a surge of torque missing from the regular model, making the Hybrid faster and better handling. The older nickel-metal hydride batteries, while heavier and larger, proved reliable and maintained a consistent state of charge. The RAV4 Hybrid drove effortlessly around town, with a quiet and seamless operation. The CVT didn't strain the engine at high revs, but the standard AWD was sometimes slow to counter wheelspin. The braking system felt squishy, but the stable handling and connected steering made up for it. The XSE version's sport-tuned dampers and springs improved ride quality without compromising comfort. Fuel efficiency was impressive, averaging 36 mpg over 400 miles, with an EPA rating of 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb with the optional towing package. The maximum towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist system made towing easier by allowing the driver to steer the trailer using a dashboard knob. Acceleration was strong, but the engine note lacked the V8 rumble. Fuel economy averaged 16.4 mpg, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, but impact harshness was an issue with 22-inch wheels. The SUV felt huge around town, but a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views improved maneuverability.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered excellent sightlines and generous cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 70 cubic feet with the seats folded. The second row provided ample legroom and manual reclining seats. The air conditioning was effective, quickly cooling the cabin even on hot days. The large knobs and switches improved ergonomics, although the controls for windows, locks, and mirrors weren't illuminated at night. The infotainment screen, climate controls, and steering-wheel controls were easy to use and read.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, but once inside, passengers enjoyed plenty of room. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with power-adjustable pedals and a heated steering wheel. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two captain's chairs, with an optional center console and audio controls. Triple-zone climate control ensured comfort across all three rows, and the test vehicle had heated rear seat cushions. The third-row seat provided ample legroom and thigh support, making it comfortable for most passengers. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet maximum. The longer Navigator L offered even more space, with 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid's infotainment interface was user-friendly, with clear menus and customizable home screens. The screen accepted swiping and pinching gestures, but the maps looked dated. Toyota's Entune 3.0 included apps like NPR, but required a smartphone connection. Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto was not. The JBL stereo was adequate. The lane-keep assist reacted too late, but Toyota offered standard stolen-vehicle alerts, automatic crash notifications, and SOS assistance for three years. The best technology was the seamless hybrid system.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was slow to load content, but a new Sync 4 platform was on the horizon. The system provided Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, 911 Assist, a Lincoln Way app, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed the smartphone to function as the vehicle key. The voice recognition system worked reasonably well, but wasn't as advanced as some competitors. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system offered a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The test vehicle did not have the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid earned a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with 4 stars for the driver's-side frontal crash test and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated the RAV4 (not the Hybrid) its top Good rating in all six crash tests and Superior for its collision-avoidance system. Low scores for the headlights prevented a Top Safety Pick award. Toyota Safety Sense included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, traffic-sign recognition, and auto high beams. Unique safety features included a front passenger seat cushion airbag and a driver's knee airbag. Rear emergency braking was optional.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, a blind-spot warning system with trailer coverage, a rear cross-traffic warning system, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated with refinement, and the lane-keeping assistance system was subtle yet effective. The SUV earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the RWD model had a 3-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.