2022 Lincoln Navigator vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring. It stood out among midsize SUVs and crossovers with its distinctive design. The front end, while less dramatic than the 2021 Sienna minivan, made a statement with wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. The side profile featured a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and the taillights borrowed elements from Lexus models. The Highlander managed to look longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size.

The XSE trim level, new for 2021, added a more aggressive front end, suspension tuning, and an appearance package. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum level, featured chrome roof rails and accents, giving it an upscale look. Inside, the Limited trim shone with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, dark brown trim, and wood details. The Highlander excelled in comfort and convenience, making it a strong contender for family car shoppers.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator received subtle styling changes, including new headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The front end was restyled with an Audi-esque grille, which some felt lacked the elegance of previous models. Despite this, the Navigator's updates were largely successful. Inside, it dazzled with quality materials and a mid-century modern design, featuring Lincoln's Constellation instrumentation and infotainment display theme. The new Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen was a significant upgrade, offering ample display space.

The Navigator continued to offer standard and long-wheelbase styles with Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims. Our test vehicle, a Black Label in Central Park theme, featured a green interior with second-row heated, ventilated, and massaging captain’s chairs. The total sticker price was $106,530, including the destination charge. The Navigator's interior comfort and design were top-notch, making it a luxurious choice for families.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive options. While not a performance powerhouse, the Highlander provided smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable family car. It compared well with competitors like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot in terms of horsepower and torque.

The Highlander's suspension was soft and comfortable, though it tended to lumber through corners. The XSE trim added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, offering a bit more driving excitement for family-focused shoppers.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. It came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The Navigator's towing capacity ranged from 8,100 to 8,700 pounds, depending on the configuration. The adaptive-damping suspension with Road Preview technology and a new electronic brake booster improved ride quality and braking response.

During testing, the Navigator handled various driving conditions effortlessly, including snow and mud. The adaptive suspension and 22-inch wheels provided a smooth ride, while the four-wheel drive and 9.7 inches of ground clearance ensured it could tackle challenging terrain. The Navigator's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 18.6 mpg during our test drive.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and functionality. It featured shelves ahead of the front seats for storing large cell phones and a wireless charging pad in the center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that moved forward and backward to maximize space. The third row could accommodate adults, though it required some compromise from the middle-row passengers. Cargo space behind the third row was 16 cubic feet, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows down.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its interior comfort and space. The 30-way power-adjustable front seats were exceptionally comfortable, and the second-row captain’s chairs offered heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The third-row seat provided roomy accommodations, thanks to the independent rear suspension design. The Navigator's cargo space was generous, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row (34.3 cubic feet for Navigator L), 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded (73.3 cubic feet for Navigator L), and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet (120.2 cubic feet in Navigator L).

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, though navigation struggled with points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard across the lineup. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, but only certain apps utilized the full width. The JBL audio system was good but not exceptional.

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator upgraded to a Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen. The new system was easy to use, with two data panels for navigation and music details. Physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate functions were well-designed. Sync 4 supported Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the voice recognition system was improved. The Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system now included Amazon Fire TV, providing access to popular streaming services. The 28-speaker Revel 3D audio system was sensational.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator introduced new driver assistance systems, including Intersection Assist, Road Edge Detection, Active Park Assist 2.0, and ActiveGlide. A surround-view camera system was also standard. Intersection Assist and Road Edge Detection provided additional safety features, while Active Park Assist 2.0 handled parking tasks. ActiveGlide, Lincoln's semi-autonomous driving technology, performed well on approved highways but required driver attention. These systems represented steps toward fully autonomous driving but emphasized the importance of driver vigilance.