2020 Toyota 4Runner vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner had a timeless design characterized by tall slab sides, a high beltline, short overhangs, and a near-vertical front fascia. Its utilitarian attitude was reminiscent of an XJ Jeep Cherokee, with flared wheel wells designed to accommodate bulky off-road tires and short overhangs for tackling steep pitches and sharp declines. The hood scoop, a visual cue for the off-road-focused TRD trim, was one of the few non-functional elements. Small, angular headlights highlighted the front end, and the grille varied by trim, with body-color bars on most trims and blacked-out accents on the TRD Pro. The Limited trim featured bright chrome accents.

The 4Runner's trim lineup included SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, and Limited, with the Nightshade Special Edition and Venture Special Edition trims adding a stealth aesthetic and off-road enhancements. The Limited trim, aimed at comfort-focused shoppers, featured leather upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen. Despite the chrome and leather, the 4Runner Limited's utilitarian DNA was evident, with plenty of plastic and a seating position designed for off-roading rather than highway cruising.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator, sharing a platform with the Ford Expedition, distinguished itself with unique front and rear styling elements and the Lincoln Embrace exterior lighting system. The lattice-type grille insert mimicked the Lincoln star logo, and the illuminated star in the center added a touch of elegance. Fender vents, simulated exposed front door hinges, and full-width taillights were Lincoln-specific design hallmarks. Black roof pillars gave the Navigator's glass a wraparound appearance.

For 2020, the Reserve Monochromatic Package debuted, offering a custom look with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. The Navigator was available in standard and long-wheelbase Navigator L body styles, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, featured a Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a dashboard with mid-century modern styling cues, and a wide, two-tiered storage console. Digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and piano-key transmission controls set the Navigator apart from the Expedition. A panoramic glass roof and high-quality materials added to the luxurious feel.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4-liter V6 engine with 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This engine was designed for durability and off-road capability rather than fuel efficiency, with an EPA estimate of 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. The 4Runner's towing capacity was up to 5,000 pounds. The body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like Toyota's CRAWL control and Multi-Terrain Select made the 4Runner excel off-road. The Limited trim's full-time 4WD system was better suited for maintaining forward progress, while the part-time system in TRD models handled more challenging off-road conditions.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Navigator's towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb. The twin-turbo V6 provided strong acceleration, with a subtle engine note. The Navigator averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined. The adaptive damping suspension and 22-inch wheels provided excellent body motion control, though impact harshness was noticeable on imperfect pavement. The Navigator's size and weight were best suited for open roads, with features like a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views aiding maneuverability in tight spaces.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and a relatively tidy turning radius of 18 feet, 7 inches. The interior featured large, chunky knobs for HVAC and stereo controls, with physical buttons lining the 8-inch touchscreen. The steering wheel had an array of buttons for various functions, though they were not illuminated. The tall seating position and power-retractable running boards made entry and exit easier. The 4Runner offered an optional third row of seats in non-TRD and non-Venture trims, though these seats were best suited for short and occasional use due to limited legroom and narrow, thin design.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, with available power running boards aiding entry. The test vehicle's 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 a large center console and audio system controls available. Triple-zone climate control and heated rear seat cushions ensured comfort across all three rows. The third-row seat provided ample legroom and thigh support, unmatched by competitors. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with the standard-length model offering 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 increased these measurements to 34.3, 73.3, and 120.2 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The system included Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, a single USB media port, and various subscription services like Sirius XM Radio, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. Higher trims offered a JBL stereo and navigation system. While the 4Runner's technology had improved, it still lagged behind competitors in total features and usability. The most advanced features were in the powertrain, not the dashboard.

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 included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, 911 Assist, a Lincoln Way smartphone and smartwatch 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 required specific command pathways. The Reserve's Luxury Package included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system with three listening profiles. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system available.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. The 4Runner had eight standard airbags and received a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a three-star rating in the rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 4Runner a Good rating in most crash tests, except for a Marginal rating in the small overlap front: driver-side test. The adaptive cruise control worked well, but the high center of gravity and imprecise steering made a more active lane-keeping assist system desirable.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured the 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, 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 and lane-keeping assistance operated with refinement. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the rollover resistance rating was three stars with RWD. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.