2021 Toyota Sienna vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its luxurious design, featuring chrome and brightwork that differentiated it from the Ford Expedition, on which it was based. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system sequentially illuminated the SUV to welcome its owner, adding a touch of sophistication. The Navigator's lattice-type grille insert, illuminated star logo, and full-width taillights were distinctive design elements. The black roof pillars gave the glass a wraparound appearance, enhancing its sleek look. The Reserve Monochromatic Package, available in White, Ceramic Pearl, and Infinite Black, added body-color grille and side mirror enhancements, along with 22-inch black-painted wheels.

Inside, the Navigator's Dark Slate leather interior, part of the Luxury Package, featured 30-way Perfect Position front seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The dashboard had mid-century modern styling cues, and the wide, two-tiered storage console provided ample space. Digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and piano-key transmission controls set the Navigator apart from the Expedition. The panoramic glass roof and high-quality materials added to the luxurious feel, making the Navigator a convincingly luxurious flagship SUV.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid aimed to change the perception of minivans with its SUV-like appearance. The wide grille and LED headlamp arrays gave it a sleek look, while the sculpted sliding side doors and assertive stance added to its appeal. Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches filled the arches, enhancing its overall look. The fit and finish of the exterior were superb, reflecting Toyota's quality standards.

Inside, the Sienna emphasized width with horizontal lines, creating a comfortable and spacious feel. The seating position was higher than a sedan's, providing a pleasant ride. The dashboard was simple and uncluttered, with controls clustered on the upper part of the center stack. The center console housed the gear selector lever, cup holders, and a large storage compartment beneath the center armrest. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and high-quality materials added to the overall comfort. The second and third rows were comfortable for adults, with the second row sliding fore and aft for maximum utility and comfort.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, outperforming the Ford Expedition. A 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels, with an option for four-wheel drive. Multiple Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the powertrain to specific driving situations, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb with the towing package. The Navigator's maximum towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist.

Acceleration from the twin-turbo V6 was strong, with a subtle yet aggressive engine note. However, fuel economy was a downside, averaging 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension struggled with impact harshness over imperfect pavement, especially in Excite mode. Despite its size, the Navigator's body motion control was excellent, lending it a hint of athleticism. Around town, the Navigator felt huge, but a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views improved maneuverability.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid, Toyota's first hybrid minivan, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing 243 horsepower. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trim levels. The Sienna used an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which delivered power smoothly but blunted throttle response. Four selectable drive modes—Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport—offered varying levels of performance.

Handling was significantly improved over the outgoing Sienna, thanks to new TNGA front suspension and steering and independent rear trailing arm suspension. Body roll was minimal, and the Sienna Hybrid provided a comfortable and easy ride. The big news was its EPA fuel economy ratings: 36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined for front-wheel drive models, and 35/36/35 mpg combined for all-wheel drive models.

Entering the 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, but once inside, passengers found plenty of room to stretch out. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the Luxury Package, were exceptionally comfortable, though it took time to find the perfect settings. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two captain's chairs, with the latter option including a large center console with audio controls. Triple-zone climate control ensured comfort across all three rows, and the test vehicle had heated rear seat cushions.

The Navigator's 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 a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet in the standard-length model. The longer Navigator L offered even more space, with 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid excelled in convenience functions, with a standard third-row 60/40-split bench that stored away easily. The second row slid up to 25 inches, making it easy to access the third row. The cabin featured 16 cupholders (15 with the spare tire option), storage cubbies, and bottle holders in all four side doors. The Sienna could carry a full four-by-eight sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, and its cargo measurements were 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101.0 cubic feet behind the first row.

The Sienna's 288-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack was cleverly tucked under the front seats, preserving cargo space. Both side sliding doors and the rear tailgate were power-operated and responded to kick motions, a family-friendly feature appreciated by parents with small kids.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was its least impressive technology, taking time to load content. However, it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, 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 required specific command pathways.

The Reserve's Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system with three listening profiles—Stereo, Audience, and On Stage. 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, which featured dual 10-inch displays, wireless headphones, Slingbox access, Roku media streaming, and Apple and Android compatibility.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid packed in a ton of standard and available technology features. A nine-inch touchscreen was standard, providing access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. Standard connectivity included a year's trial of Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a ten-year trial of Service Connect, and a three-month trial of AT&T WiFi Connect.

Audio and multimedia systems varied by trim level, from a six-speaker stereo on LE to a Premium Audio + JBL package on Limited and Platinum with 12 speakers and surround sound. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, featuring an 11.6-inch 1080p display, remote, and wireless headphones. The driver enjoyed several tech features, including a color multi-information display, a 10-inch color Head-Up Display on Platinum models, and a digital rearview mirror on Limited and Platinum models. Remote keyless entry with push-button start was standard, upgraded to Smart Key System on XLE and above.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), 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, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard on Reserve trim.

The Navigator's adaptive cruise control operated with refinement, and the lane-keeping assistance system was subtle yet effective. The lane-departure warning system produced a vibration in the steering wheel, but it was hard to detect at normal sensitivity. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though the rear-wheel-drive model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. The Star Safety System, with enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology, was also standard.

The Sienna featured 10 airbags and LATCH connectors, with five locations for eight-passenger vans and four for seven-passenger models. A rear-seat reminder system was standard, as was a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and an inflator kit. The spare tire location was changed for safety and convenience. The 2021 Sienna had not yet been crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2020 model received "Good" ratings from IIHS in several categories and a Five-Star Overall Rating from NHTSA.