2020 Lincoln Navigator vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4, following its 2019 redesign, showcased a bolder and more angular appearance, enhancing its rugged and durable reputation. The Adventure trim, introduced the previous year, improved off-roading capabilities with a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, multiple driving modes, and downhill assist control. The new TRD Off-Road trim for 2020 took these features further with smaller, lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and a special TRD suspension setup. The TRD Off-Road trim was distinguishable by its unique wheels, tires, and badges, and the test vehicle featured a Lunar Rock gray paint with an extra-cost white roof, which effectively hid dirt. Inside, the TRD logos on the front-seat head restraints, rubber floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat prepared the cabin for dirt, while quality construction and soft-touch materials contrasted with some inexpensive-looking plastic.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator, sharing a platform with the Ford Expedition, differentiated itself with unique front and rear styling elements and the Lincoln Embrace lighting system. The Navigator featured a lattice-type grille insert, an illuminated star logo, fender vents, and full-width taillights. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom look with body-color grille and side mirror enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, included the Luxury and Reserve Monochromatic option packages, bringing the price to $92,385. Inside, the Dark Slate leather interior with 30-way Perfect Position front seats, mid-century modern styling cues, and a wide storage console provided a luxurious experience. Digital instrumentation, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and piano-key transmission controls further distinguished the Navigator from the Expedition.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The RAV4 Hybrid, a separate model, delivered 219 horsepower and up to 40 mpg in combined driving but was not available with the TRD Off-Road trim. The test vehicle's non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain provided good numbers for the class, feeling energetic, especially in Sport mode. An 8-speed automatic transmission handled power delivery, though it occasionally struggled with gear selection. The TRD Off-Road model featured a torque-vectoring AWD system with fuel-saving driveline disconnect technology and multiple terrain-specific driving modes. With 8.6 inches of ground clearance, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road excelled on challenging trails and urban environments alike, though its all-terrain tires were not ideal for fast mountain road driving. The test vehicle averaged 23.4 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg in combined driving.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with 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 Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Slow Climb with the optional towing package. The SUV's maximum towing capacity was 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD, aided by Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The twin-turbo V6 provided strong acceleration, though it lacked the V8 rumble some might prefer. The test vehicle averaged 16.4 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 18 mpg in combined driving. Despite its size, the Navigator's adaptive damping suspension and body motion control lent it a hint of athleticism, though it was best suited for open roads with smooth pavement. Around town, the Navigator's size was mitigated by a tight turning radius, parking assist system, and numerous camera views.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered easy entry and exit with well-placed seating hip points. Inside, the 8-way adjustable driver's seat provided a low and sporty driving position, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery, which could trap sweat on hot days, but the Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear seat legroom was generous, and air conditioning vents and USB ports kept passengers comfortable. Interior storage was ample, with a dashboard shelf and cargo space of 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seat folded down. The test vehicle also had a robust roof rack and an optional hands-free power liftgate.

Entering the 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, though available power running boards helped. Inside, the test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats, part of the optional Luxury Package, offered exceptional comfort, with power-adjustable pedals and a heated steering wheel. The second row could be configured with a three-person bench or captain's chairs, the latter available with a large center console and audio system controls. Triple-zone climate control and heated rear seat cushions ensured comfort across all three rows. The third-row seat provided class-leading legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were also 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 RAV4's technology was user-friendly and useful. Depending on the trim level, the infotainment system featured a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display, with the 8-inch system standard in the TRD Off-Road. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services packages with generous free trial periods. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was free for 3 months or 2GB of data usage. The TRD Off-Road's infotainment system impressed with superb voice-recognition technology and the optional Technology Package, which added wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror with adjustable camera height and angle.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was the least impressive technology, taking time to load content. However, it provided 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. Sync 3's 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, though the test vehicle lacked the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system.

Every 2020 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), featuring Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, front and rear parking assist with automated braking, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. These systems operated smoothly and accurately, encouraging drivers to keep them activated. Toyota also provided a free 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services, including automatic collision notification, an activated SOS emergency assistance button, and enhanced roadside assistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2020 RAV4 a Top Safety Pick rating for models with full LED, curve adaptive headlights.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with Lincoln Co-Pilot360, a 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 systems operated with refinement and subtlety. The SUV received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the 2020 model.