2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out as a luxurious flagship SUV, distinguished by its unique design elements that set it apart from its Ford Expedition roots. Designers incorporated exclusive front and rear styling, a lattice-type grille with an illuminated Lincoln star, and full-width taillights, all contributing to its upscale appearance. The Navigator's monochromatic package added a custom touch with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator offered a Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a panoramic glass roof, and high-quality materials, creating a convincingly luxurious environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid presented a more rugged yet practical design. Despite its fully-loaded status, it maintained a modest appearance, lacking the larger wheels found on non-hybrid versions. The interior was stylish and functional, with a mix of quality materials and some hard plastics. The RAV4 Hybrid offered decent rear-seat legroom and a practical cargo area, making it a versatile choice for everyday use. While it lacked the luxury of the Navigator, it provided a comfortable and efficient driving experience.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine outperformed the Ford Expedition's most powerful version by 50 horsepower and 30 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission managed power delivery, with options for rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The Navigator excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 8,700 pounds for RWD and 8,300 pounds for 4WD, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Despite its size, the Navigator offered strong acceleration and a subtle engine note, though fuel economy was a concern, averaging 16.4 mpg. The SUV's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, though impact harshness was noticeable with 22-inch wheels.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with front and rear electric motors, producing 219 horsepower. This setup offered standard AWD and several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. The RAV4 Hybrid's instant electric-motor torque made it feel lively, though the engine's sound was less pleasant. It achieved impressive fuel efficiency, averaging 39.7 mpg. The CVT operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid's suspension design and Active Cornering Assist system contributed to favorable driving dynamics, though the tires limited grip. It handled well on various road conditions, offering a comfortable ride.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator provided ample interior space, with a climb-up entry aided by available power running boards. The test vehicle featured 30-way Perfect Position front seats, adjustable pedals, and a heated steering wheel. Second-row options included a bench or captain's chairs, with triple-zone climate control and heated rear seats. The third-row seat offered exceptional comfort, with class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was generous, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 103.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The longer Navigator L offered even more cargo capacity.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front cushions, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom was decent, with good foot space and reclining backrests. The dashboard layout was intuitive, with oversized climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment. Storage options included dashboard shelves and rear-seat amenities. The cargo area provided 37.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with rear seats folded, though the subwoofer and all-weather mat affected usability.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive feature, with slow loading times. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system delivered a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display, though the test vehicle lacked the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured a choice of infotainment systems, with the test vehicle equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. It offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The dynamic voice recognition technology was impressive, though it couldn't adjust climate settings. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered camera-based technology, including a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, while the lane-keeping assistance was subtle yet effective. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though its RWD version had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering assist. The system was generally effective, though lane-centering assistance was occasionally resistant to steering inputs. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights, with only the adaptive front headlights on the Limited trim receiving a "Good" rating.