2021 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring. It stood out among midsize SUVs with its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille. The character line along its side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and taillights inspired by Lexus models, gave it a distinctive look. The Highlander XSE trim added a more aggressive front end, 20-inch wheels with black accents, and a unique front fascia, although it didn't quite match the sportiness of a Ford Explorer ST. The Limited trim, with chrome roof rails and accents, looked upscale and shined even more on the inside with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and wood details.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. It shared some design elements with the Ford Expedition but felt unique with its rectilinear shapes, body-color grille, and full-width taillight assembly. The Pristine White example with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and illuminated Lincoln logo looked stunning during winter tests. Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were top-notch, and the Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, making it one of the most comfortable interiors in its class.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable family car. While it wasn't built for drag races, it handled highway merging comfortably. The Highlander measured up well against competitors like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot. The XSE trim added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, providing a bit more driving excitement for family-focused shoppers.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a twin-turbo V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt sprightly despite its size. It offered a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. Fuel economy was in the teens, fitting the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. While the Navigator's suspension felt rudimentary compared to the Escalade's magnetic shocks, its low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in keeping passengers comfortable and hauling luggage. It featured shelves ahead of the front seats for large cell phones and a wireless charging pad in higher trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, and the third row could accommodate adults with some compromise. Cargo space included 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows down.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator offered ample space for six adults, with a possible total of eight passengers. It provided 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, and the second-row seats were heated with a three-zone climate. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, making visibility easy. However, parking was challenging due to its size.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems were user-friendly, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard. The 12.3-inch unit looked bright and crisp, but navigation struggled with points of interest. The JBL audio system was good but not exceptional.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a 10-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to newer systems. It lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the cameras were low-res. However, the software was intuitive, and voice recognition was fast and accurate. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as an ignition key. Rear entertainment included Roku media streaming and various connections.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. It received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for 4WD models and three stars for RWD models in rollover resistance. It lacked knee airbags but offered optional inflatable rear seat belts. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional.