2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator broke away from its roots of being a glorified Ford Expedition to establish a luxurious identity of its own. While it shared some structural similarities with the Expedition, such as side glass and rear seat configurations, it had an undeniable uniqueness that set it aside from any Ford. Priced at $92,000 MSRP for the Reserve model, its elegance was palpable and it never felt like just another Ford product.

The Navigator’s design masterfully balanced elegance with the imposing presence of a three-ton vehicle. The rectilinear elements of the grille, windows, headlights, and the taillight assembly commanded respect and attention. The Monochromatic Package added a touch of class with its Pristine White body color, white-painted grille, black wheels, and an elegantly lit Lincoln logo, making it a stunning winter vehicle. Furthermore, its intricate light show upon unlocking or locking felt like a touch of modern sophistication.

Inside, the Navigator was equally impressive, offering seven color palettes that displayed a refined taste in details. The digital instrument panel, floating center console, and 10-inch touchscreen blended smoothly without drawing too much attention to themselves. The materials used were of high quality and well-fitted, creating a tight, plush cabin experience. The Black Label trims took it a notch higher with more premium materials and textures. The seating comfort was top-notch, with the Perfect Position seats offering 30 adjustable configurations, acting like a luxurious cocoon in a sports car body.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota RAV4, though adopting the general styling cues of modern crossovers, had unique details upon closer inspection. The angular and dynamic exterior lines, expressive headlights, and distinctive grille gave it a playful yet aggressive personality. It might not have stood out in a crowded parking lot, but its build quality did. The traditional Toyota attention to detail was clear, with tight fit-and-finish marking the entire exterior.

The RAV4’s interior evolved from its simple origins to adopt a more mature and sophisticated design language. The layered dashboard was adorned with contrasting textures and colors, creating an engaging visual environment. The center stack was straightforward and user-friendly, while details like the circuit-board-inspired pattern added a unique touch. The cabin of the Adventure-trim, which we tested, felt modern with its geometric consistency.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator’s performance was governed by a potent twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a derivative of the Ford Raptor’s powertrain. Producing an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, this engine delivered remarkable acceleration for a vehicle of its size. The 10-speed automatic transmission coupled either with RWD or 4WD provided quick responses and smooth shifts. The 4WD system was notably smoother than competitors, enhancing the driving experience during tight low-speed maneuvers. The Navigator was also a towing powerhouse, capable of pulling up to 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD.

However, its fuel economy was predictably poor, closely matching larger V8 engines with an EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined. The adaptive dampers, though, provided a firm but less sophisticated ride compared to the Escalade’s magnetic shocks. Steering and braking were less precise, contributing to a looser driving feel. Despite these dynamics, the Navigator excelled on highways, where its plush cabin, powerful engine, and paddle shifters’ responsiveness created a refined driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with three powertrain options, each suited for different preferences. The base gasoline model harnessed a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered smooth acceleration without lag and an efficient fuel economy of 30 mpg combined for FWD models and around 28-30 mpg for AWD versions.

The RAV4 Hybrid’s powertrain increased the stakes with a combined 217 horsepower, thanks to its 2.5-liter engine and electric motor pairing. The Hybrid's fuel economy was notably superior, rated at 40 mpg combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid was the performance star with 302 horsepower, AWD, and an impressive 42 miles of electric-only range. Even while operating as a hybrid, it offered 94 MPGe.

Our test vehicle, the gasoline-powered Adventure AWD, demonstrated a commendable balance of power and efficiency. Its naturally aspirated engine delivered immediate and smooth power, enhancing the conventional driving feel. Three drive modes (Sport, Eco, and Normal) allowed for modest performance customization. The RAV4’s handling was car-like with its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, offering a composed and smooth drive thanks to its advanced AWD system.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator’s vast interior almost mirrored a small bedroom in space, able to comfortably house six adults with ample room. Though technically a seven-passenger vehicle, the third row's middle seat was best left for a child. The Navigator provided 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second row, and a massive 103 cubic feet with all seats folded. The larger Navigator L variant expanded these figures to 34, 73, and 120 cubic feet respectively. Notably, the rear glass could open independently from the tailgate—a useful feature in tight situations.

Comfort levels were supreme, with heated rear second-row seats and a three-zone climate control system enhancing passenger comfort. The front Perfect Position seats offered unparalleled adjustment options, turning long drives into relaxing experiences. The Navigator's expansive windows and commanding driving position provided great visibility, though parking was challenging due to its bus-like dimensions.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 also prided itself on its expansive interior for a compact SUV. It offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Payload capacity ranged from 1,050 to 1,230 pounds, depending on configuration. Towing capacities varied by trim, with the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models able to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Inside, the RAV4 comfortably accommodated four adults with ample legroom, headroom, and shoulder room. Even though the middle rear seat was less comfortable, it wasn’t unbearable. Storage areas like cupholders, bottle holders, and a generous glove compartment highlighted Toyota’s attention to usability. The cabin space was thoughtfully designed to cater to family needs without sacrificing comfort.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, despite its impressive luxury, felt slightly dated on the technology front. Its 10-inch touchscreen, good but not exceptional 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo, and absence of wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto flagged it as lagging behind in the tech race. However, the system remained user-friendly with intuitive software, onboard WiFi, wireless device charging, and smartphone remote controls enhancing overall convenience. Unique features included a smartwatch app and animations when switching drive modes.

For 2022, the Toyota RAV4 offered a commendable suite of technology, stepping up significantly with higher trims. Base models included a 7-inch touchscreen, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. Higher trims like the RAV4 Prime upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL audio system. Advanced features included five USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and an available bird’s-eye view camera system in the RAV4 Prime, which also spotlighted a head-up display and various power outlets.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator scored high in safety with five stars from the NHTSA, except in rollover resistance. It lacked knee airbags but offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for added chest protection. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control, though effective, lacked the advanced self-steering capabilities found in some competitors.

Toyota’s 2022 RAV4 excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. Standard features included Toyota’s Star Safety System with stability control, traction control, and anti-lock braking. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 added forward-thinking aids like pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alerts. Higher trims benefitted from blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking assist with automatic braking.