2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2022 Toyota Venza

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was a testament to luxury and elegance, shedding its past resemblance to the Ford Expedition. While it shared some structural elements with the Expedition, the Navigator stood out with its unique design and luxurious features. Its imposing presence was accentuated by simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and a few chrome accents, creating a classy yet understated look. The Pristine White model, with its illuminated Lincoln logo and black wheels, was particularly striking during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator impressed with its seven color palettes and modern design elements like a floating center console and minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials used were of high quality, and the Black Label trims offered even more luxurious textures and leather. The Perfect Position seats, adjustable in 30 different ways, added to the comfort and luxury, making the Navigator a formidable competitor in the luxury SUV market.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, re-emerged with a modern design that could easily fit into the Lexus lineup. Its exterior featured a deeply scalloped body side and a prominent tailgate with LED lighting, giving it a sleek and powerful look. The Venza's design was more suited for urban environments, with a focus on elegance rather than off-road capability. Inside, the Venza offered a Lexus-like interior with high-quality materials and a well-thought-out layout. The cabin was spacious, with comfortable front seats and a second row that could accommodate three adults. The available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof added to the sense of space and luxury. The Venza's interior was designed for convenience, with features like an electric parking brake, sliding sun visors, and ample storage options, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbo V6 engine, borrowed from the Ford Raptor, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided the Navigator with a surprisingly sprightly performance for its size. The Navigator offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) options, with a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds for the RWD model. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging in the teens, aligning with the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the refinement of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade. Despite some shortcomings in handling and ride quality, the Navigator's powerful engine and plush cabin made it a comfortable choice for highway cruising.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The Venza's hybrid system offered a balance of efficiency and performance, with the ability to operate in electric-only mode for short distances. Drivers could choose from Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes to optimize performance. The Venza's regenerative braking system helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, contributing to its impressive fuel efficiency. While not designed for aggressive driving, the Venza provided a comfortable and agile ride, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a reliable and efficient midsize SUV.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered a spacious interior, capable of seating up to eight passengers with its optional bench seat in the second row. The boxy design provided ample cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and a total of 103 cubic feet. The Navigator Reserve model featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate control system, although it lacked some of the advanced features offered by German competitors. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, providing excellent visibility for the driver. However, parking the large SUV could be challenging, despite the assistance of 360-degree cameras.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, with its two-row seating configuration, accommodated five passengers comfortably. The second row offered 45.2 inches of hip room, ensuring a comfortable ride for three adults. The Venza's cabin felt spacious, especially with the optional Star Gaze panoramic glass roof. The interior was equipped with numerous convenience features, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, electric parking brake, and ample storage options. The Venza's cargo capacity was also impressive, with 28.8 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Toyota focused on creating a quiet and serene cabin environment, using sound-blocking materials throughout the vehicle.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's technology package included a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer competitors. While the infotainment system was intuitive and shared its interface with Ford models, it lacked some advanced features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo provided good sound quality, but it wasn't exceptional. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app, along with a rear entertainment system with Roku media streaming. Despite some limitations, the Navigator's technology package was user-friendly and straightforward.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain that required no special attention from drivers, making it a convenient choice for those without access to charging infrastructure. The Venza's infotainment system included an eight-inch touchscreen on the LE and XLE models, with a 12.3-inch screen available on the Limited trim. The system supported Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa, along with Bluetooth connectivity. The Limited trim added a nine-speaker JBL audio system and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience. Toyota's Connected Services provided additional features like Safety Connect and Remote Connect, ensuring a well-rounded technology package.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with high marks in most categories. However, it lacked knee airbags and some advanced safety features found in competitors. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were not as advanced as some rivals.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came equipped with the Toyota Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. The Venza also featured eight airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of driver aids, offering comprehensive safety coverage. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, making it a safe choice for families.