2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander had a design that was more refined than its predecessor, with a slanted tailgate glass and pronounced body panel creases. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements, including the tailgate's license plate cutout, rear bumper, headlights, grille, and lower front bumper. Higher trims like the Limited and Platinum featured projector-beam LED headlights, fog lights, and 20-inch wheels. The interior was where the Highlander truly shined, with quality fit and finish, silver-painted accents, and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim boasted a three-tone interior with padded surfaces and rich textures, making it one of the nicest interiors in its class.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its chrome and brightwork, differentiating it from the Ford Expedition on which it was based. The Lincoln Embrace lighting system welcomed owners with sequential illumination. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille, illuminated star logo, and full-width taillights. The Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom look with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. Inside, the Navigator offered a luxurious experience with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a wide storage console, digital instrumentation, and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen. High-quality materials and a panoramic glass roof added to the premium feel.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, although it required a heavy foot for kickdowns. The Highlander's steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, leading to a floaty ride. However, it offered a calm and isolating driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel economy was commendable, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined, while the AWD model managed 20/27/23 mpg.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The Navigator offered multiple drive modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. It had a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, and the engine note was subtle yet aggressive. However, fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 16.4 mpg during testing. The Navigator's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, but it felt large and cumbersome around town.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander could seat eight or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The second-row seats were versatile, offering generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The front and rear seat heights allowed for easy ingress and egress. Three-zone climate control was standard, with upper trims offering additional features like a 120-volt outlet, side window shades, and a heated second row. Cargo space was generous, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Highlander also featured eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, but once inside, passengers found plenty of room to stretch out. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, and the second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or captain's chairs with a large center console. Triple-zone climate control ensured comfort across all three rows, and the third-row seat provided ample legroom and thigh support. 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, and 103.3 cubic feet with both rows folded. The longer Navigator L provided even more space.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system felt outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on the Limited and standard on the Platinum, was not fully utilized. However, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The Highlander featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster. The semi-automated driving system was effective, and the optional JBL audio system provided decent sound quality. Standard features included SiriusXM, HD radio, WiFi, and four USB-A ports.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was slow to load content, but it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, 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, and the 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system added dual 10-inch displays, wireless headphones, and media streaming capabilities.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a 2020 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its top ratings in crash tests and emergency braking performance.

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, blind-spot warning with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability was standard on the Reserve trim. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), although the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating.